Bradley and Brianna's Wedding

Saturday, 7/15, Kevin, Renea, Jana and I left Alabama and headed for Siesta Key, Florida.  Kevin did the driving, and we went in his truck.  We arrived about three o’clock in the afternoon.  Had an interesting time finding the motel.  Our directions and the GPS told us to turn left.  This took us into a shopping center.  I called the motel and after an interesting discussion as to where we were, it was decided we should have turned right.  Upon finding the motel the next thing we did was check in.  Of course, that was not without incident.  They informed us that our reservations had been cancelled.  I had made reservations for two rooms, called and added Saturday, and someone messed up.  After a little drama it was taken care of and we had our rooms. 

Next on the agenda, Kevin and Renea took Jana and me to Mass at St. Martha’s Church.  It was a beautiful church and a beautiful Mass.  Here again, it was not without incident.  Before Mass the congregation was told that the week before one of the ladies leaving Mass was mugged in front of church.  What can I say?  Kevin picked us up after Mass and took us back to the motel.

 

While we were at Mass Kevin and Renea took our luggage to our room.  When Kevin and Renea went to their room there was another “incident.”  The smoke alarm was beeping.  They called the front desk and the electrician was sent to their room.  He couldn’t figure out how to fix it.  Renea suggested that the battery needed to be changed, but he didn’t agree with her.  After all, according to him, he was the head electrician at the hospital before working at the motel and he knew what to do 😊.  So they were given a different room.  Later that evening, when they were at the motel pool this same head electrician came to do some work there.  When he saw Kevin and Renea he informed them that all that needed to be done to the smoke alarm was changing the battery.  Renea just smiled.

Brian and his family met us for supper.  After several mis-starts and several discussions we ended up eating at Harry’s Bar and Grill which was in front of the motel.  We had a very good meal.  Everyone was tired so we headed to our rooms to get a good night’s sleep.  Brian and his family had rented a house with friends of theirs, so they headed to their house.

Sunday, after breakfast, which was great by the way, we drove to Brian’s rented house.  I would like to mention that this motel had one of the best free hot breakfasts ever!  Back to the house.  There was a reception for Bradley and Brianna from noon to four.  Brianna’s family furnished part of the food and Brian and family furnished the rest.  A lot of pictures were taken.  Brianna’s family brought champagne and both her family and Bradley’s family made a lot of toasts.  I would also like to mention that Steven was able to attend.  He was Bradley’s best man.  He arrived from Hawaii on Friday.  Samantha also came down with Brian, etc. She had to miss two days of school.  Brandon flew to Cincinnati from Norfolk, VA, and rode down with Samantha, etc. for the wedding. Sunday evening Rita and Bob, Jana and I, and Kevin and Renea went to supper at Harry’s again.  After that we all went to the motel pool and had a few drinks before going to bed.

 

Monday was the day of the wedding.  Since the wedding was a sunset wedding on the beach, Rita and Bob, Jana and I, and Kevin sat around the pool for a while then checked out a few shops.  We didn’t buy anything.  We then went to lunch at the Boatyard Marina.  It was wonderful!  Everything had caught up with Renea and she wasn’t feeling good so she rested so she could be ready for the evening.

Then it was time for the wedding.  After going back to our rooms to get ready, we met in the parking lot and headed for the beach.  I will say this was one of the prettiest beach weddings I have seen or heard about.  It was very casual for the attendees, of course.  The bride looked beautiful.  There were a lot of tears.  There was even a first dance, mother son dance and father daughter dance.  They had a wedding cake (which was delicious).  They didn’t have regular champagne.  It was Moscato which I like better.  Again, there were toasts by the maid of honor and best man.

I don’t have a lot of pictures, but a few people sent some to me.  Following are a few.