The reception and all . . .

Well, I was asked at lunch today how the weekend had gone, and I said that it had been one of the best weekends of my life. The statement came out spontaneously, but the more I think about it, the more I think it's true. First the details, and then some reflections.

On Thursday evening we got Toltec1 at the airport and went to dinner at Celestin's. We had a nice evening and I retired fairly early because I had to work in the morning. Friday was a good day at school (although I inadvertently freaked out my IB class by mentioning offhandedly this semester's big project), and I came home to the news that Piggs' family was mostly in town, staying at a nearby hotel. We made reservations at a Chinese restaurant I've been to off and on since I was a kid -- it's not spectacular, but it's good, and well-suited for large groups. I went to Mom's to help set up a little, although frankly I couldn't stay long and wasn't much help. Sora, Monkeygirl and G3 (and of course my mom, who never stops) did all the real work. I wrapped up some silverware, ate some pizza, and took off. I got Piggs and T1 and we went to the hotel and hung out very briefly, as our reservation time rapidly approached. We all had a nice dinner (all 15 of us!), then retired to the hotel. I was concerned about the weather, because our big plan was that September might not be crazy Sacramento summer hot, but that it would be comfortable. Well, it was COLD Friday night. I started to be terrified that we'd have winds and people would have to retreat indoors. I also missed the Papayas (they don't yet have a fake blogger name, so I'm assigning one -- the Papayas are our Portlandian married friends), who had gotten lost, were staying farther away, and were too tired to make it out Friday night. I assured them we'd see them in the morning, and told them to get some rest and wind down.
We stayed quite late at the family's hotel, the kids swimming, the men arguing about Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath, and most of the girls sprawled on one of the beds giggling. Then in the morning, we went back to the hotel to join them for breakfast at the cafe there. It was kind of a sit down thing and kind of a buffet. I had to make my own waffle, but they brought us eggs and coffee. Hard to know what to tip. Anyway, then we all sort of parted ways so that they could see the town -- they apparently had a good time at the railroad museum (which I secretly enjoy, too, but I had a busy day and I've been more recently). I did some errands, including picking up my frickin' rad new chair, and the boys (including Eldest Nephew) played video games and ate Doritos. Then everyone met us at the house to see the place for the first time (there were other comings and goings, but I'm condensing), and were very impressed (or very kind). I'm awfully glad we went to all the trouble we did this summer making it look good. Even funnier, everyone thought the cinderblock construction was really cool. We even briefly fooled a couple people who thought the floor was hardwood! MiL thanked me for sharing "my" home, and I reminded her that it was her son's home, too.
Then the frenzy began! We packed up the stereo (but alas, not the power cord, which had to be retrieved later), grabbed an extra pair of comfy shoes, sweatshirts, etc, and went to Malouf's to pick up the food. When we got there, we thought there might have been a mistake -- we had only ordered a few items, none of them hot, but practically the whole front of the restaurant was covered in serving trays, chafing dishes, to-go containers, bags, and the Malouf's daughter was cutting up desserts into more containers. We also noticed labels for things we hadn't ordered -- Moussaka and Mujadara written in Sharpie on the aluminum foil. We hesitated and asked more than once "this too? Is this ours?" They assured us that it was, so we packed the car, then T1 and I waited while Piggs paid. It was taking a long time (they were packing yet more things into containers), so I went back in to check on what was going on, worried there was a problem like that they'd misunderstood our order and the price had doubled or something. No. The price was exactly as stated for the, like, THREE things we ordered, and they'd completely filled my car with food. I almost cried. It's true that we're regulars, and that we always make conversation with the Maloufs, but we've done nothing to deserve the amazing generosity they showed us. I don't even know what to say. But we will continue to be regulars for as long as they are in the restaurant business, and spread the word as much as possible. Malouf's Taste of Lebanon on Fulton Ave. Go.
Anyway, then we didn't have room for ice, which we had also planned to bring, so we went straight to Mom's, where Boompah had already gotten 120 lbs of ice. I looked in the backyard and it was like a dream. It was beautiful. It was everything I could have imagined and more -- Sora had spent most of the day at Mom's decorating, and it was incredible. Again I was moved almost to tears (gotta hold back, trying to look pretty, here). I had mentioned to G3 months ago that it would be awfully nice to have a calligraphy of the "double happiness" symbol to hang, but then hadn't mentioned it again, thinking that he was so busy with school, work, art, aikido, and everything else he does that he mightn't have time. I was a little embarrassed on reflection to have asked. But when I walked into the backyard, there were not only two beautiful "double happiness" characters on white against a vivid red background, there was a perfect "love" centered between them. I rushed to put out little Asian bowls filled with water, and cut spider mums into them. We set up the stereo and food table, did all the other last minute stuff, and right at 7:29, an absolute FLOOD of our loved ones started pouring through the gate. I would barely get to greet an uncle when a much-loved co-worker would pop up behind, then a friend I've known since middle school who came all the way from Colorado, then a new in-law, then friends of my Mom's who have been very kind to me, then my closest friends . . . it went on and on. After an initial flurry of conversations and greetings, I went to sit down with a plate of the delicous food (from Malouf's on Fulton!) with some of my cousins and aunts and uncles who I haven't seen recently. I tried hard to sit down and talk, however briefly, with everyone, but I just couldn't make it around. Some cousins got not much more than a drive-by kissing, and there were co-workers of Piggs' I didn't even meet. I noticed that Piggs and T1 were doing most of the food serving and running out from the kitchen to the table almost nonstop. I was a little concerned that they didn't get a chance to relax, but I was so involved in trying to talk to people I didn't give it much thought. T1 gave a lovely toast, we cut the cake (both with much paparazzi flashbulb-popping), and then the goodbyes went almost as fast as the hellos, with a mass exodus at what almost had to be some premeditated time I was not aware of. I talked a little longer with some of my old co-workers (whom I am very homesick for), and then was called inside to open some presents. Where I discovered something.
At this point, all I will say is that my lovely, kind, intelligent husband drank much more champagne on an empty stomach than Andre the Giant could have reasonably handled, we are now out of both Pepto Bismol and Mylanta, we have a load of blankets and towels in the dryer, and he has sworn off alcohol. Poor thing. But as I said to youngest niece "Our bodies are amazing things -- when we eat or drink something that's bad for us, our bodies go 'Nope!' and we throw up to get rid of the bad stuff."
The next morning was very nice, too. The Papayas and our Arizona friends called and said "make coffee, we're coming over!" I ran to Bel Air to get not only extra coffee, but bagels, fruit and cinnamon rolls as well. We had a nice relaxing morning of conversation until, unfortunately, they all had to go. I know Piggs and I both would have loved to have much more time with all of them. Then much of Piggs' family came by (his older sister's family had left early to go to Disneyland, and our other brother-in-law had also flown out in the morning) and we chatted and relaxed. I offered to take my FiL and SMiL to the airport, at least partly to talk to them a little bit more -- I've never really talked much with my FiL, and I think he's interesting. In fact, I grilled him on some of the family heirlooms we have in the house, and he talked with me about some of the art of his that we're hanging in our place.
From the airport, I took youngest niece and went to Mom's house to clean up, but almost everything was already done (I really got off easy on the workload for this thing, although I didn't plan it that way and feel a little guilty that I didn't do more). Piggs, T1, and remaining family came to Mom's and we cleaned a little and chatted and played a lot, and then they had to go as well.
Sunday evening I took the boys to the game store, then we came home and I did a little schoolwork, then we kind of just vegged and ate leftover middle eastern food (From Malouf's! It was delicious!). I thought (and was hoping) that Colorado friend was going to call and come over, but she didn't. I'm awfully sorry I didn't get to talk to her more, because I really miss her, but at the same time I was massively tired (hardly got any sleep Saturday night, trying to convince Piggs he was too uncool to die like Jimi Hendrix, and that I was not, in fact, his ex-girlfriend).
Today it was back to school, and fobbing off of the leftover cake on my co-workers (free food and teachers is always a winning combination), and this afternoon, taking T1 to the airport. Then more leftovers from Malouf's Taste of Lebanon on Fulton Ave. Mmm. I was sad to see him go, and we're trying to convince him to move to Cali to be closer to us. I think it would be good for everyone involved. Hear me T1? Move down.


On to the reflections portion I promised: Having a wonderful new family is the second best part of this marriage (a wonderful husband is naturally first). I love being an aunt, and being called all the aunt names (including nicknames that used to be for Piggs only), and talking with my new sisters and . . . the whole thing, really. I already love being part of my Mockula family, and I just doubled my joy. It's true that there is no end of love we are capable of -- that you can just keep on producing and producing new love all the time, and add new people to the love list, and your heart will never run out, simply increase. I'm absolutely thrilled. I'm overcome.

Second -- a friend of my mom's mentioned (as did many people) how nice, cool, wonderful, loving, interesting, supportive, and generally wonderful my friends and family are. I responded, "You know, I'm not a spiritual person, but there is just no doubt that I am blessed." I don't think any word less strong than that begins to cover it. "Blessed" may not cover it either. And I know it, and I'm thankful for it.

Third -- Wedding receptions maybe should be a rotating affair, where over the course of a weekend you schedule people in groups of five or so for an hour or more at a time, so that you really have an opportunity to talk with everyone, kiss all the babies, catch up on everyone else's lives. With all those wonderful people around, it was a shame not to be able to devote my full attention to more of them for longer. Of course, I know that's how those things go and that people understand, but it reminds me that I do need to make some individual time for all those people I've been promising to have dinner with. Could it possibly be less important than an evening of planning for school, going to the gym or ballet, or watching a movie? Um, no.

Fourth -- Little C arrived (my friends' baby), and I've seen pictures and she is beautiful. Congratulations to them, and welcome to the world, baby! Could there have been more joy in Sacramento in one weekend?

Fifth -- Abdul, Rita, and Layal Malouf; I am writing a thorough thank-you note, but I will never be able to thank them enough. My first wedding (ptooie) was preceded by what I later called bad omens -- tons of them, raining down one after the other, like the universe was attempting to smack me in the forehead and tell me to run in the other direction. If those were omens, then the unprecendented and undeserved generosity the Maloufs showed us had to be the opposite -- the universe giving us its enthusiastic thumbs-up. The only thing we were missing was a shaft of light and a choir of angels. If my heart was like a sponge for love and generosity, then it would not only have filled my chest cavity, it would have exploded out of me, filling the house, the neighborhood, the town, the state, the planet . . . if it was a visual it would have looked like one of the Care Bears shooting rainbows out of his chest. It was unbelieveable.

Sixth -- Mom. I can never repay your generosity. I can't even say this to your face. But I will live to be a good friend, a good teacher, a good mother, a good wife, a good person. That might cover a tenth of it.

Seventh -- So many other people helped make this possible, going to great lengths, and I probably won't be able to properly thank them, either, but thanks to everyone who took time to come from out of town, who paid for air fares or gas, who took time off work, or spent 9 hours in a car with their mother and two kids. Thanks to everyone who gave me words of support and love, who love me and love my husband, too. Thanks to Monkeygirl, who did a great deal of the preparation, organization, and for thinking of things (and then providing them) that I wouldn't have. And who got us entirely too generous a present, even after all she did for us. Thanks to Boompah, who has not only already provided our honeymoon, but who also offered up (with my mom) his home to about eighty strangers, who provided the beer, who was pretty much the bartender all night, and who is my Boompah. Thanks to G3, who not only remembered my request for calligraphy, but outdid himself in their beauty and artistry, then devoted time to helping decorate and set up as well, and whom I barely said two words to at the party. To Sora, who as I've already said, basically made my dream of the site come to fruition, and to whom I also said only a few words. To that list I'll add Leafy Greens, who flew from Portland and got little more than a hug, although I hope to see him tomorrow, too. And my Dad, who picked up, dropped off, broke down, loaded and unloaded all the chairs and tables, mostly without catching so much as a glimpse of me -- thank you.

Eighth -- To T1, who spent the entire party basically serving other people, then spent much of the night taking care of my husband. T1 knows how I feel about him. I hope he moves down.

Ninth -- And last, unless I think of more, to my husband, for with T1, doing all the food service. But also and especially for just being my loving husband, loving me spectacularly, tremendously, wholly, unconditionally (or if there are conditions, I haven't met them yet), and well. I don't think I've made a better decision in this lifetime than taking your hand.

Love to everybody. Hope you can feel it from where you are. I bet you can.