We’re up early to drive to New Jersey. Main and Erin are throwing a graduation party for John. Supposedly.

Rumors have been flying about this party all summer. I’m so dense I wouldn’t have figured it out for myself, but Rob & Carol decide that it’s going to be a wedding rather than a graduation party. I initially dismiss such talk as silly, but the closer we get to the actual event the more I’m convinced that they’re really getting married.

So we get to the Madison Hotel in Morristown NJ, all of like fifteen minutes before the official start time of one p.m. I’m a little panicky, really not wanting to be late for a wedding, in case it is a wedding, right?

And first thing I see is the sign directing various folks to the various functions being held in the hotel, and the item of note says Lawler/Melick Surprise Party. Now, this was billed as a simple graduation party. No surprise. Yup, must be a wedding.

I quickly change in the spacious restroom, and when I come out I find Dawn. Then we find Main and John. I see John’s in a suit, and Main’s, yup, in a white dress. It’s a wedding.

But there’s cocktails from one to two, so needn’t have worried about being late. Who is late, however, is Annmarie. We chat with her son Patrick and his wife Valerie, who have been in cell phone contact with her, but don’t want to tell her why she should hurry.

Happily Annmarie shows up in plenty of time, whereupon Main assures her that she wouldn’t have started without her, and Annmarie bursts into great sobbing tears anyway.

The bride is lovely and the groom is especially spiffy. Erin is spectacularly dazzling. A Catholic priest good-naturedly performs the civil ceremony. Main and John touchingly recite their own vows.

And Erin later gives her own touching speech for a toast to the happy couple.

What grand fun.