We have MARRIAGE, folks! It was a glorious day in Sweden, as we
watched the nuptials of Jesse Hamm and Anna Sahrling. The wedding
was held in a small, white church built in the Middle Ages.
Don't ask me to spell it's name. It isn't pronounced anything
like it's spelled, but it is rather pretty. Lots of gravestones
about, too.
We got to the church right at 2pm, the time the wedding was to start.
Ann, Jesse's sister, and I knew that we were going to beat the couple
and Jesse's Dad, but it was still a bit unnerving. Motala was having
it's annual bike race, and we were stalled for a while, waiting for
the cyclists to pass. Then, we were a bit unsure of the sketchy
directions we'd been given, but we did make it. The wedding went
ahead ( a bit late, as we were waiting for the bride and groom! ).
The minister and one of Anna's hostesses performed the spoken part
of the wedding in both English and Swedish. A talented couple sang
several times during the service, and the congregation sang two hymns,
as well. I did my bit, and didn't lose the ring. Whew!
Just so's you know that Anna is well-suited to Jesse, It was HER
idea that we take some wedding photos at a nearby junkyard.
Yup, it was hers. She is SO PRETTY. I think she looks like a
shorter, dark-haired Nicole Kidman.
After the picture-taking, we went to the reception hall, which was
about 45 minutes away from the church, in another town! Anna's two
lovely hostesses did a wonderful job of organizing the reception.
The food was good -- a sort of bread spread with a creamy shrimp salad,
pork medallions, stir-fried vegetables, sliced baked potatoes, ice cream
with cloudberry jam, and several home-made cookies in addition to
the wedding cake.
The fathers spoke briefly. A young fellow translated for Richard,
Jesse's dad. In between the courses and the cake, Anna's family
and friends sang and told jokes. Honestly there was some talent
going on in that bunch. They played piano, drums and guitar themselves,
and quite well. We also played several wedding-themed games.
The same young man tried desperately to translate for us, but
there was a great deal going on. The reception party started at 4:00
and was just starting to break up at 9:30pm.
Amusing side note: The Swedes were all complaining about how
chilly it was, whilst I was reveling in the cool weather.
IN WINTER IT'S FORTY BELOW IN SWEDEN!!
-- Go fig.
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