Monday's post about Aunt Ruby reminded me of her wedding. Aunt Ruby lived with us when I was very young and shared my bedroom. Needless to say, she spoiled her little niece and I loved her dearly.
Before I turned four, my Aunt Ruby got married. I have a very limited memory of the events surrounding the wedding. I do remember seeing the beautiful long white wedding gown and the amazing wedding cake. And I recall knowing that her fiance Bob would soon be my "Uncle Bob."
I did not like getting dressed up and most especially I did not like hair ribbons in my unruly curly hair. But for Aunt Ruby's reception, I had to dress up AND wear a hair ribbon.
I have little recall of the reception save one very important detail. In all the wedding planning and talk about Aunt Ruby getting married, no one told me that it also meant AUNT RUBY WOULD MOVE OUT!!! I was fine with the Uncle Bob thing but I was furious about the fact that Aunt Ruby would no longer live at my house. Why didn't anyone tell me THAT? I pitched a fit and got sent to my room. Later I was brought out for photographs. I was still furious. I was angry at my parents, angry at my brother (who called me stupid for not knowing Aunt Ruby was moving), angry at Aunt Ruby and especially angry at this man I wasn't about to call Uncle.) My anger extended to the photographer who tried to amuse me with all the tricks at his disposal. I was having none of it. Not the comments about how cute I looked nor the squeaky toys. No, not even the sock monkey. Neither my father's pleading nor my mother's threats would change my attitude and facial expressions. Finally, they simply gave up and took the photographs. This is how I looked in all the single and group shots.
You might make me stand here, but you can't make me smile!
I was teased for years about my behavior at Aunt Ruby's reception. But I will defend it to this day so many years later. Everyone assumed I would know that getting married meant leaving, but that was too big for this three-and-a-half year old to comprehend.
I came to like Uncle Bob and every summer I got to spend two weeks with Aunt Ruby.
Aunt Ruby, you are still very special to me. Oh, and I'm sorry I ruined so many of your wedding photographs.
15 comments:
Oh my! Actually a very nice pout there....:)
This is the cutest story ever; I am so glad you shared it with us. I agree, how would you know that was going to happen? LOL!
Cutest.pouter.ever
XO
Love the ribbon in your hair -- but your look surely tells your story. Actually I think it is a cute photo. -- barbara
Awwww... it's cute, even if you weren't a happy camper!
Awww you were mad, can see it in your face. I have an obstinate child (now adult) who would hide under the table rather than get her picture taken. Kids, what are you going to do?
There are some gems of me. My grandmother would come to visit and make me bobby pin my bangs off my face, telling me that was the cause of my pimples. Ohhh the faces in those pictures were pure venom!
What a wonderful memory and a great story. Pouts tell good, heartfelt stories.
oh yes, the photo says it all. Poor little 3 year old you -- I can understand how upset you were. Glad that you were able to move on, and spent your weeks with Ruby and Bob -- it's a great story.
What a perfect photo to tell your story! I'm glad that your bond with Aunt Ruby has flourished over these many years even if you didn't share a bedroom with her!
What a precious story and memory! I love the photo: priceless!
what a great story!
xoxo
Thanks for your comments, everyone. This is one of my earliest memories and I don't think I will ever forget how I felt. I tried to make certain I prepared my own children for all the things they might expect.
That must have been a bitter blow for such a young and tender heart. Grief. It was grief.
My granddaughter is three and a half, and I can see her in that role. And my wife's younger brother was five when we married and he looks the same in the wedding pictures. At that age we expect life to go on unchanged forever. And at our current ages we wish that it could have.
Well, bless your little three year old soul, how were you to know her wedding would take her away from you? :c)
Oh, I love this post! Too funny! I was in a wedding when I was about that age and I remember asking the pianist at the reception to play HOME ON THE RANGE -- my favorite song.
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