Up On Yonge Street - That's Where We Were . . .

After being in East Texas almost 14 years, I can tell you that one thing that absolutely defines Texans is their vehicles. They like them big and when they pull up to your house, well, they just pull up to your house!

Well, in Toronto, land is at a premium - because that is where everyone comes to get a job. (Must mention here also that Toronto's TTC - Toronto Transit Commission is among the best and there is nothing quite like The Subway.) There are tidy curbs on every street and you park your car parallel to the curb. A driveway at someone's house . . . well, that generally is occupied, probably with one of the owner's vehicles.

We have not been back very long from our trip to the wedding of "This Bride" (see blog below) and one of the fun things was the wonderful family party at the bride's father's home the night before the marriage. (The rehearsal was during the week - how organized is that?)

Hubby & I checked into the hotel and got ready to go to the Party. Then Hubby went to bring the car around from the Parking Garage. (No, we do not have even one of those in the city where we live northeast of Houston.)

How was Hubby to know that there was a space M-14 on all four levels of the garage?

So, we were late arriving at the Party and Hubby looked at all the cars parked on the street. I think he was thinking we would have to park elsewhere and take a taxi . . . Lo and behold, as we came right to the house, there was one tiny spot in the driveway.

"I think we can fit in there!"

Hubby: "Do you think we should park there?"

"Oh yes!"

Our Texas-size SUV just fit and we got out and went up to the door.

This bride's sister-in-law was waiting at the front door and we were escorted inside and eventually out to the deck where you see Hubby and Daddy chatting in the photo above.

Caribana Festival was being held that weekend and so we were blessed to have several musicians play in the garden for us.

For me, it was like being home. I have known this family for about 52 years and their offspring must have heard some of the stories and those they had not heard, I told them.

Like when B left me to watch Daniel the baby while she went to the convenience store back when they lived in a small apartment on Avenue Road. I tell you, I did not know babies could cry that much and I sure didn't know that people upstairs would bang on the floor to let me know that was too much noise!

I didn't know a lot about babies, so I was rocking him and gently asking him,

"Don't cry, Danny!"

Those upstairs neighbours taught me to ask Dan just a little louder to "Hush Little Baby, Don't You Cry".

Yes, yes, I had to tell Dan about that. I don't think he was embarrassed. He and his wife, Carol had flown in from London, UK and I think that story was the least of what they were thinking about.

We were treated like royalty and so were others who flew in from Washington State, Italy and Iran.

Oh . . . This Bride . . . well, you might have to wait to see her picture. But, I will tell you she was radiantly beautiful and her groom was very handsome.

And B . . . my Dear Friend, B? Oh, you could feel her presence. She was the Angel in the hearts of all of us who had come to see her only daughter marry her college sweetheart, the I.T. fellow with the droll sense of humor who we met many years ago.

Like it was yesterday:

"And what are you studying?"

"I.T., Sir."

And silly me, just had to ask, "I am sorry, exactly what is that?"

"Information Technology, Ma'am."

You stick around a fellow like that, you get smart! You stick around a family like that and you feel pretty special!