Much ado about a dress

My wife was watching “Say Yes to the Dress.” That is a TV program on which women about to be married get in arguments with mothers, mothers-in-law, sisters and best friends. Whatever the bride-to-be decides, the chosen dress always costs several thousand dollars.

When my then-fiancé and I were planning our wedding, almost all of my decisions were “Sounds good to me” and “I think that is a good idea.”

Family members were involved, too. My wife’s mother one day said to my wife, “Here is a pattern I thought you might like for your dress.” My wife approved, and her mother made the dress.

My wife worked at a fast food place, and one day a woman came in and said, “I am Betty, Bob’s aunt. I am making your bridesmaids’ dresses, and here is the fabric I will use.”

My wife wanted a simple veil. Two days before our wedding, her grandmother came in from DeQueen, Arkansas, and made the veil just the way my wife wanted.

It all was quite simple, with family members volunteering time and talents to produce the wedding we wanted.