Declan lead Cailin and Darren into the reception room at the Connemara Coast Hotel.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the Mr. and Mrs. have arrived, finally!” he announced as they entered to a huge cheer.
Cailin and Darren were lead to the center of a long table decorated in white linens and crystal glasses. Everything seemed to sparkle, including the chandelier in the center of the room. The colors were lush deep greens and blues with draperies bordering the windows that looked out past the rocky shore to Galway Bay. The bride and groom were flanked by the groomsmen and bridesmaids. As Cailin and Darren looked past their table they saw their families sitting a round tables just to the outside of the long table with a dance floor set up right in front of them.
Suddenly there was a uproar of clinking of crystal glasses calling for a kiss between the bride and groom. Cailin and Darren obliged willingly with a long loving kiss. Then a shorter tapping of a glass followed by a “here, here” for an announcement.
Declan was the bearer of the glass and appeared ready to make the first official toast. He began,
“A first official toast is a very special one and should always be given by a family member. I may be a great friend of Darren's, but I'm not a family member.”
As Declan held everyone's attention and continued his speech on family, that seemed to be endless, a figure slipped in the door and quietly moved to the back of the room.
“So to conclude this toast, I ask, is there a family member who would like to make this first toast to our lovely couple?” Declan glanced over to Philip as if he expected Philip to make the toast.
The lone figure at the back of the room announced, “I would be honored to bring the first toast to this celebration for my brother and his new wife!”
The room was abuzz. Maura suddenly broke down in tears and Philip was holding her, while Philip himself was beaming. Their son, Conner, had come home.
As he talked, Conner moved to the center of the room. Darren's older brother had a polish to him that Darren had not seen before. Obviously this had to do with his banking job in America. Darren also noticed out of the corner of his eye that Jessica, Conner's wife had slipped into the room holding their son, John. Maura did not catch this yet as her eyes were glued to Conner.
“My brother has discovered that there are some very special women who come here to visit and end up stealing an Irishman's heart. His Irish sweetheart will be there for him when times are difficult, and when times are sweet. This I know as I have found my American sweetheart who fills my everyday. Conner glanced back to Jessica as she acknowledged Conner's statement.
And my toast is this Irish blessing:
There are 4 things you must never do: lie, steal, cheat, or drink.
But if you must lie, lie in the arms of the one you love.
If you must steal, steal away from bad company.
If you must cheat, cheat death.
And if you must drink, drink in the moments that take your breath away...
May you both live as long as you want, And never want as long as you live.
Slainte!”
And the party began.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
Travels in Eire #74
The ride to the Connemara Coast Hotel was in Darren's parent's car, but it was just Darren and Cailin. They wanted to have just a few moments together to savor the ceremony and would not have the time as the day wore on. Cailin noticed that Darren seemed a little distracted. She had become more adept at reading him over time. Most emotions she could easily read, but there was something else here.
“Darren, is everything okay? What is it?” Cailin gently tried to pry Darren's closed demeanor open.
“I just thought....No I was sure......It was supposed to be......,” is all Darren would say.
“Darren, you are making no sense. What was supposed to be?” Cailin was totally confused.
“I trusted him to make it happen. He told me he could handle it just fine.” and now Darren was getting angry.
“Darren, stop! Pull over here!” Cailin demanded and Darren responded by pulling to the side of the road just a short way from the hotel.
Darren turned to Cailin and responded, “My brother.”
“What about your brother?” Cailin realized there was something she did not know about that was not happening the way Darren had planned.
“He was supposed to fly over with his wife and baby and be here for the wedding. He promised he would make this visit. I thought I would see him at the church, but I didn't. I haven't heard from him for the last 3 days when they were supposed to leave America,” Darren's voice was shaking from both concern and disappointment.
“Darren, there is nothing you can do about it at this point. We have a few hundred guests waiting for us at a reception. What about your parents? Do they know?” Cailin was still trying to get some information from Darren.
“It was to be a huge surprise for them with my brother coming to visit with his wife and the baby. I was so worried about you arriving at the church late that I totally forgot that I should have seen him also. Then there was the rush to the ceremony and now,” Darren was almost shaking. “I have no way to contact him.”
“Darren, I don't know how to help you through this. I'm really surprised about this whole thing. You never told me either. I wish I knew what to do for you,” Cailin was on the verge of tears with worry for Darren's brother. “We can't sit here like this. We need to get to the reception and have someone help. I'm sure your da would know what to do.”
“Cailin, I need to get over this. It's OUR wedding day and I'm ruining it with this problem that has upset me so much. I'll share the information with my parents when we have a minute at the reception and then we'll all work it out together.” Darren was putting on his work face as a problem solver and determined not to let this spoil the reception.
As they turned into the parking lot Declan was pacing back and forth in front of the door. He had a worried look on his face that lit up when he saw Cailin and Darren pull in.
“What in God's earth has taken the two of you so long? The hotel rooms are here! Everyone is waitin' on ya,” he shouted breathlessly. “And Darren I need you first. There's some trouble a brewin', and we need to take care of it. Cailin can you just wait here for a few?” Declan ordered. He seemed so much more in charge than earlier today.
It was only a few moments when Darren returned and seemed a lot more relaxed.
“Darren, what was that all about?” Cailin knew something was up.
“All in due time, honey, all in due time,” and he smiled the smile that caught Cailn's eye from the beginning.
“Darren, is everything okay? What is it?” Cailin gently tried to pry Darren's closed demeanor open.
“I just thought....No I was sure......It was supposed to be......,” is all Darren would say.
“Darren, you are making no sense. What was supposed to be?” Cailin was totally confused.
“I trusted him to make it happen. He told me he could handle it just fine.” and now Darren was getting angry.
“Darren, stop! Pull over here!” Cailin demanded and Darren responded by pulling to the side of the road just a short way from the hotel.
Darren turned to Cailin and responded, “My brother.”
“What about your brother?” Cailin realized there was something she did not know about that was not happening the way Darren had planned.
“He was supposed to fly over with his wife and baby and be here for the wedding. He promised he would make this visit. I thought I would see him at the church, but I didn't. I haven't heard from him for the last 3 days when they were supposed to leave America,” Darren's voice was shaking from both concern and disappointment.
“Darren, there is nothing you can do about it at this point. We have a few hundred guests waiting for us at a reception. What about your parents? Do they know?” Cailin was still trying to get some information from Darren.
“It was to be a huge surprise for them with my brother coming to visit with his wife and the baby. I was so worried about you arriving at the church late that I totally forgot that I should have seen him also. Then there was the rush to the ceremony and now,” Darren was almost shaking. “I have no way to contact him.”
“Darren, I don't know how to help you through this. I'm really surprised about this whole thing. You never told me either. I wish I knew what to do for you,” Cailin was on the verge of tears with worry for Darren's brother. “We can't sit here like this. We need to get to the reception and have someone help. I'm sure your da would know what to do.”
“Cailin, I need to get over this. It's OUR wedding day and I'm ruining it with this problem that has upset me so much. I'll share the information with my parents when we have a minute at the reception and then we'll all work it out together.” Darren was putting on his work face as a problem solver and determined not to let this spoil the reception.
As they turned into the parking lot Declan was pacing back and forth in front of the door. He had a worried look on his face that lit up when he saw Cailin and Darren pull in.
“What in God's earth has taken the two of you so long? The hotel rooms are here! Everyone is waitin' on ya,” he shouted breathlessly. “And Darren I need you first. There's some trouble a brewin', and we need to take care of it. Cailin can you just wait here for a few?” Declan ordered. He seemed so much more in charge than earlier today.
It was only a few moments when Darren returned and seemed a lot more relaxed.
“Darren, what was that all about?” Cailin knew something was up.
“All in due time, honey, all in due time,” and he smiled the smile that caught Cailn's eye from the beginning.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Travels in Eire #73
Cailin sat in the back of the car with her gown carefully placed so as not to wrinkle or soil it. Her mother sat next to her and her father sat next to Declan. The church was only a few miles away, so it was a short drive and would only take a few minutes. At least that was what everyone thought!
Just as Declan turned on to the main road heading toward the church, the car started to make a strange sound. Declan calmed everyone with his words, “No worries all, it always does that.”
But as they traveled the road the sound turned into a grinding, and then everyone could smell something burning. Declan pulled over to the side of the road and started shouting, “Everyone out, quickly!”
As Cailin exited the car she could see black smoke coming from the engine compartment. She, her mum and dad had a look of horror on their faces. Declan just had a dumbfounded look of surprise.
“Guess we are going to have to find some alternative transportation,” Declan announced.
None of the passengers had their cell phones with them and there was no one they could contact at this point. Cailin was trying to stay calm, but in her anger all she could do was laugh. Before she realized it, all of them were roaring with laughter.
“Okay, I'm going to start walking,” Cailin announced. “There doesn't seem to be any traffic on the road today, so there is no catching a ride.”
What a scene, with Cailin's mum and dad helping Cailin to hold up the train to her gown as they walked down the road followed by Declan as he mumbled to himself about the fact that he should have had his car fixed before this. On a calm summer day this would have been fine, but as always on the Connemara coast there is at least a slight breezed coming off Galway Bay, or sometimes a strong wind. Today was a moderate breeze and Cailin's veil was like a tail on a kite, blowing in the wind, as they walked along. They still had about a mile to go and were already late for the ceremony.
As they walked they started to hear a sound behind them. It was a clopping sound of a horse and cart. Declan hailed down the driver and before anyone knew it, Cailin and crew were situated in the cart trotting down the road behind a white Connemara pony. The cart was not made for passengers, so here was Cailin sitting on the back with her legs hanging off and her gown carefully tucked up still trying to keep it fresh and clean. The fresh part was pretty much gone now, but she did the best and her mum held her veil from flying all over as they trotted along.
It did take longer than expected and as they arrived at the church a few people were standing outside looking for them to arrive, including a worried Darren. When he saw this pony and cart coming down the road and got a glimpse of Cailin in her white gown he doubled over in laughter. It was just so much like their lives – everything totally unexpected.
One of the groomsmen headed in to the church to let everyone know that Cailin had arrived. Once everyone was in place, and Mary and Sean seated, the ceremony began. Despite the wrinkles and slight soils in Cailin's gown, and extra tendrils of her unruly hair that had fallen from her up do, Darren looked down the aisle knowing in his heart there was no one else he would have chosen to be his wife. Life would bring many unexpected surprises and they would weather them together both in joy and sadness.
The ceremony that followed was touching and memorable. Ryan's voice and choice of music carried the congregation through with tears and laughter. The church was full of well-wishers and friendly faces. Cailin and Darren tried to absorb every minute.
They suddenly realized it will all done as the priest asked to turn to the congregation and introduced them as Mr. and Mrs. Darren Ryan. A huge cheer filled the sanctuary as Darrren and Cailin headed out of the church and on to the reception at the Connemara Coast Hotel.
Just as Declan turned on to the main road heading toward the church, the car started to make a strange sound. Declan calmed everyone with his words, “No worries all, it always does that.”
But as they traveled the road the sound turned into a grinding, and then everyone could smell something burning. Declan pulled over to the side of the road and started shouting, “Everyone out, quickly!”
As Cailin exited the car she could see black smoke coming from the engine compartment. She, her mum and dad had a look of horror on their faces. Declan just had a dumbfounded look of surprise.
“Guess we are going to have to find some alternative transportation,” Declan announced.
None of the passengers had their cell phones with them and there was no one they could contact at this point. Cailin was trying to stay calm, but in her anger all she could do was laugh. Before she realized it, all of them were roaring with laughter.
“Okay, I'm going to start walking,” Cailin announced. “There doesn't seem to be any traffic on the road today, so there is no catching a ride.”
What a scene, with Cailin's mum and dad helping Cailin to hold up the train to her gown as they walked down the road followed by Declan as he mumbled to himself about the fact that he should have had his car fixed before this. On a calm summer day this would have been fine, but as always on the Connemara coast there is at least a slight breezed coming off Galway Bay, or sometimes a strong wind. Today was a moderate breeze and Cailin's veil was like a tail on a kite, blowing in the wind, as they walked along. They still had about a mile to go and were already late for the ceremony.
As they walked they started to hear a sound behind them. It was a clopping sound of a horse and cart. Declan hailed down the driver and before anyone knew it, Cailin and crew were situated in the cart trotting down the road behind a white Connemara pony. The cart was not made for passengers, so here was Cailin sitting on the back with her legs hanging off and her gown carefully tucked up still trying to keep it fresh and clean. The fresh part was pretty much gone now, but she did the best and her mum held her veil from flying all over as they trotted along.
It did take longer than expected and as they arrived at the church a few people were standing outside looking for them to arrive, including a worried Darren. When he saw this pony and cart coming down the road and got a glimpse of Cailin in her white gown he doubled over in laughter. It was just so much like their lives – everything totally unexpected.
One of the groomsmen headed in to the church to let everyone know that Cailin had arrived. Once everyone was in place, and Mary and Sean seated, the ceremony began. Despite the wrinkles and slight soils in Cailin's gown, and extra tendrils of her unruly hair that had fallen from her up do, Darren looked down the aisle knowing in his heart there was no one else he would have chosen to be his wife. Life would bring many unexpected surprises and they would weather them together both in joy and sadness.
The ceremony that followed was touching and memorable. Ryan's voice and choice of music carried the congregation through with tears and laughter. The church was full of well-wishers and friendly faces. Cailin and Darren tried to absorb every minute.
They suddenly realized it will all done as the priest asked to turn to the congregation and introduced them as Mr. and Mrs. Darren Ryan. A huge cheer filled the sanctuary as Darrren and Cailin headed out of the church and on to the reception at the Connemara Coast Hotel.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Travels in Eire #72
The morning crept in quickly as everyone was still sleeping except for Maura and Mary as they started breakfast. Soon the aromas of Irish fry wafted through the house and one by one everyone woke up. The best cure for a sore head is a good greasy Irish fry and as the plates were put on the table those who stayed the night at the B&B took at seat at the table.
Ryan and Damian had taken the last empty room upstairs. Darren shared his room with Keith, so thankful that the B&B had rooms for all. Darren, Keith, Ryan, and Damian all looked like they had partied hard, but seemed to be bouncing back with the breakfast and hot cup of Barry's tea. The table filled up and once again there was plenty of chat and laughter.
As soon as they finished Keith, Ryan and Damian headed for the Connemara Coast Hotel to check out arrangements there, shower, dress and head to the church. Cailin headed to her room followed closely by her mother.
“Cailin, I just want to check and make sure everything is okay with you.” her mother stated as she closed the room door behind herself.
“What do you mean, mum,” Cailin responded.
“Cailin this all seems to have happened so quickly and I just wanted to make sure you have no reservations about this wedding,” Cailin's mom looked at her with a slightly worried look on her face.
“Mum, I just realized the other day that I have never been happier. Working here in Ireland and being part of my heritage has been such a blessing. I feel like I belong here, more than any where. This is home to me. I know you will be so far away, but it's only a plane flight and I can come and visit anytime. And I hope you and dad will be over here more often.” Cailin tried to calm her mother's fears.
“Then I guess you had better get into the shower, or you will be late for your wedding. Hardly right to keep your future husband waiting on your wedding day!” her mother smiled.
Cailin had not tried on her wedding dress since the day it was purchased in New York. She decided to do her hair up as Ruth had suggested with two tendrils curled to the front. Her makeup had a light touch to show her beautiful white skin. A touch of green eye shadow with a dark purple eyeliner to accent her green eyes and a little mascara finished the look. She wore on piece of jewery around her neck – the Connemara heart that Darren gave her. She changed the leather chain to a silver one for the wedding. Her earrings were small diamonds that her grandmother had given her. Her last accessory was a green garter that she slipped on to her leg as she smiled. She turned to look in the mirror and smiled. It was just perfect.
There was a knock at the door and Cailin jumped as she was startled out of her thoughts. It was her father.
“Time to go Cailin,” he said slowly as he looked at her lovingly. “You look beautiful,” and Cailin could see his eyes tear up.
“Dad, please, I'll be in tears if you start,” Cailin tried to chide him into a smile.
Cailin's mom came in the room and had that same look on her face, but it was more. There was also a look of pride.
“Honey, Darren and his parents have already left for the church so he doesn't see you. We need to get going. They have a friend driving us there and he is waiting outside.”
Cailin, her mum and dad headed out the door. As Cailin looked at the car waiting for them she had to laugh. It was Declan, Darren's friend they had met a while back when they visited Spiddal for the first time. He was standing at the open car door with a big grin on his face.
“Cailin, there's still time. You could have me instead of that dolt Darren, you know,” Declan kidded.
“Declan, you are so considerate, but I've already made my decision here. You might meet some of my girlfriends though. They are all cute too!” Cailin kidded back.
And off to the church they headed.....
Ryan and Damian had taken the last empty room upstairs. Darren shared his room with Keith, so thankful that the B&B had rooms for all. Darren, Keith, Ryan, and Damian all looked like they had partied hard, but seemed to be bouncing back with the breakfast and hot cup of Barry's tea. The table filled up and once again there was plenty of chat and laughter.
As soon as they finished Keith, Ryan and Damian headed for the Connemara Coast Hotel to check out arrangements there, shower, dress and head to the church. Cailin headed to her room followed closely by her mother.
“Cailin, I just want to check and make sure everything is okay with you.” her mother stated as she closed the room door behind herself.
“What do you mean, mum,” Cailin responded.
“Cailin this all seems to have happened so quickly and I just wanted to make sure you have no reservations about this wedding,” Cailin's mom looked at her with a slightly worried look on her face.
“Mum, I just realized the other day that I have never been happier. Working here in Ireland and being part of my heritage has been such a blessing. I feel like I belong here, more than any where. This is home to me. I know you will be so far away, but it's only a plane flight and I can come and visit anytime. And I hope you and dad will be over here more often.” Cailin tried to calm her mother's fears.
“Then I guess you had better get into the shower, or you will be late for your wedding. Hardly right to keep your future husband waiting on your wedding day!” her mother smiled.
Cailin had not tried on her wedding dress since the day it was purchased in New York. She decided to do her hair up as Ruth had suggested with two tendrils curled to the front. Her makeup had a light touch to show her beautiful white skin. A touch of green eye shadow with a dark purple eyeliner to accent her green eyes and a little mascara finished the look. She wore on piece of jewery around her neck – the Connemara heart that Darren gave her. She changed the leather chain to a silver one for the wedding. Her earrings were small diamonds that her grandmother had given her. Her last accessory was a green garter that she slipped on to her leg as she smiled. She turned to look in the mirror and smiled. It was just perfect.
There was a knock at the door and Cailin jumped as she was startled out of her thoughts. It was her father.
“Time to go Cailin,” he said slowly as he looked at her lovingly. “You look beautiful,” and Cailin could see his eyes tear up.
“Dad, please, I'll be in tears if you start,” Cailin tried to chide him into a smile.
Cailin's mom came in the room and had that same look on her face, but it was more. There was also a look of pride.
“Honey, Darren and his parents have already left for the church so he doesn't see you. We need to get going. They have a friend driving us there and he is waiting outside.”
Cailin, her mum and dad headed out the door. As Cailin looked at the car waiting for them she had to laugh. It was Declan, Darren's friend they had met a while back when they visited Spiddal for the first time. He was standing at the open car door with a big grin on his face.
“Cailin, there's still time. You could have me instead of that dolt Darren, you know,” Declan kidded.
“Declan, you are so considerate, but I've already made my decision here. You might meet some of my girlfriends though. They are all cute too!” Cailin kidded back.
And off to the church they headed.....
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Travels in Eire #71
The weather for the drive to Connemara was beautiful, and Darren and Cailin enjoyed every minute of this trip talking about details for the wedding that they wanted to make sure they took care of. Cailin was an organized person and kept notes that they could refer to also. Darren was in charge of making sure the Ryan and Keith knew what they needed to know and were in place for both the wedding ceremony and the reception. Ryan would be singing at the church at Keith was in charge of the music for the reception. Darren knew Keith would gather together a few friends and rock the place until the wee hours of the night.
The last few days leading up to the wedding itself were as busy as could be. Emails and phone calls were flying back and forth between members of the wedding party and family. Every night Darren and Cailin were invited someplace new for a reception or get together. Once Cailin's parents arrived at Darren's parent's B&B, there was a gathering so everyone could get to know each other. The Guinness and Irish whiskey were flowing, and often when Cailin awoke she was not sure what day it was or what she needed to do. These days were full of Irish “craic” and family love.
Friday evening came and it was time for rehearsal. Everyone in the wedding party had arrived in Spiddal and the surrounding small towns, and had made their way to the church for the rehearsal. When Darren and Cailin arrived they saw Ryan talking to the priest and organist. Ryan Kelly was not only talented, but had a plan and wanted to make sure all went well for his part in the wedding. He waved to Darren and Cailin as they entered the church. Ryan had chosen all the music for the ceremony over several weeks of emails back and forth with Darren and Cailin. For the Prelude they chose the Love Scene music from Tristan and Isolde. For the bridesmaids processional he chose “Air-Your the One” from Circle of Friends and for when Cailin walked down the aisle they chose “Lark in the Clear Air” by James Galway.
Ryan would be singing “Give me Your Hand” during the lighting of the Unity Candle, and also and also a Communion song. Then Ryan would sing a song he wrote especially for Darren and Cailin. Cailin was so surprised that Ryan would do this for them. For the recessional Ryan would be singing the Irish Wedding Song rather than a serious classical ending. Both Cailin and Darren felt so lucky to have Ryan handling all the church music for them.
The bridesmaids and groomsmen arrived and they all had a quick run through of the ceremony. Cailn felt like she was dreaming as she went through the motions of the ceremony. Her life had changed so drastically since she first had come to Ireland for a vacation.
After the rehearsal all the participants headed over to Darren's parents for a huge rehearsal dinner and celebration. Maura, Darren's mom, and Mary, Cailin's mom, had been cooking and preparing for the for the last 2 days. They were fast friends already and were having a great time together. Sean and Philip had also hit it off well and seemed to be spending more time down at the local pub picking up a game of snooker when they could, and bragging about the upcoming wedding.
This was the party to beat all that had come before. The food was amazing and the booze was flowing. And then Keith arrived with his guitar, Ryan with his, and one of the friends Keith brought along that Darren had been trying to get for a fund raiser, named Damian McGinty. When the music started the party actually became even more lively, filled with love, friendship and laughter.
There would be many sore heads in the morning but it seemed no one cared, and neither did Cailin or Darren. What a way to get to the wedding!
The last few days leading up to the wedding itself were as busy as could be. Emails and phone calls were flying back and forth between members of the wedding party and family. Every night Darren and Cailin were invited someplace new for a reception or get together. Once Cailin's parents arrived at Darren's parent's B&B, there was a gathering so everyone could get to know each other. The Guinness and Irish whiskey were flowing, and often when Cailin awoke she was not sure what day it was or what she needed to do. These days were full of Irish “craic” and family love.
Friday evening came and it was time for rehearsal. Everyone in the wedding party had arrived in Spiddal and the surrounding small towns, and had made their way to the church for the rehearsal. When Darren and Cailin arrived they saw Ryan talking to the priest and organist. Ryan Kelly was not only talented, but had a plan and wanted to make sure all went well for his part in the wedding. He waved to Darren and Cailin as they entered the church. Ryan had chosen all the music for the ceremony over several weeks of emails back and forth with Darren and Cailin. For the Prelude they chose the Love Scene music from Tristan and Isolde. For the bridesmaids processional he chose “Air-Your the One” from Circle of Friends and for when Cailin walked down the aisle they chose “Lark in the Clear Air” by James Galway.
Ryan would be singing “Give me Your Hand” during the lighting of the Unity Candle, and also and also a Communion song. Then Ryan would sing a song he wrote especially for Darren and Cailin. Cailin was so surprised that Ryan would do this for them. For the recessional Ryan would be singing the Irish Wedding Song rather than a serious classical ending. Both Cailin and Darren felt so lucky to have Ryan handling all the church music for them.
The bridesmaids and groomsmen arrived and they all had a quick run through of the ceremony. Cailn felt like she was dreaming as she went through the motions of the ceremony. Her life had changed so drastically since she first had come to Ireland for a vacation.
After the rehearsal all the participants headed over to Darren's parents for a huge rehearsal dinner and celebration. Maura, Darren's mom, and Mary, Cailin's mom, had been cooking and preparing for the for the last 2 days. They were fast friends already and were having a great time together. Sean and Philip had also hit it off well and seemed to be spending more time down at the local pub picking up a game of snooker when they could, and bragging about the upcoming wedding.
This was the party to beat all that had come before. The food was amazing and the booze was flowing. And then Keith arrived with his guitar, Ryan with his, and one of the friends Keith brought along that Darren had been trying to get for a fund raiser, named Damian McGinty. When the music started the party actually became even more lively, filled with love, friendship and laughter.
There would be many sore heads in the morning but it seemed no one cared, and neither did Cailin or Darren. What a way to get to the wedding!
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Travels in Eire #70
Time was moving at warp speed for Cailin and Darren. The wedding plans were completed, invitations sent, arrangements made and the day was fast approaching. But before all this ceremony there were the bachelor and hen parties. Darren was spirited away for an overnight with his male friends, and Cailin didn't even want to know what all was going on. She was sure it involved a lot of drinking and hoped Darren survived it all.
The GOTT girls arranged a hen party for Cailin. Much like a bachelorette party, the girls booked a restaurant for dinner ,and then paraded around the streets of Derry with Cailin wearing a banner showing she was the bride to be, and a crown as they went from pub to pub enjoying each other's company. They were all dressed up for the evening in cocktail wear and stood out like sore thumbs but loved all the attention.
Darren had pretty much moved into Cailin's flat, but would still spend a couple nights a week at his old flat if he knew he was working late on a project and might keep Cailin up. Cailin realized on those nights how much she missed Darren. And those nights always proved to be the most restless of night's sleep.
With all the wedding preparations going on, Darren and Cailin took the week before the wedding off as visitors would be arriving and traveling to Spiddal and the Connemara Coast Hotel. Darren had one huge surprise for his parents that he was saving until the last moment. He knew the impact this would have on them. Cailin's dad had decided that he and her mom would do a little sightseeing in Ireland after the wedding and would be renting a car and driving to Spiddal after spending a day in Dublin. Cailin hoped her dad would remember what side of the road to drive on.
It was Saturday morning a week before the wedding when Cailin and Darren started to pack to leave for Spiddal and all the events of the week and wedding. Darren had been making calls for last minute details for a charity auction in the front room of the flat and Cailin was working on packing her suitcase. The next thing she knew she was sitting on the edge of the bed in tears. Darren must have sensed something was wrong as he suddenly appeared at the door. He approached Cailin and kneeled down in front of her.
“Cailin, what is it?” he asked as he reached for her hands.
“I don't know Darren. I was just fine and suddenly this overwhelming rush of anxiety came over me.” Cailin tried to explain through her sobs.
“How can I help, my love?” Darren was a little concerned by this sudden change in Cailin.
“I just realized that after next Saturday there is no turning back. I started to question everything. Did I do the right thing by moving to Ireland? My life is so different now. I guess it just all finally caught up with me.” Cailin was shaking her head in disbelief.
Darren sat next to Cailin on the bed and held her. He did his best to reassure her that he loved her more than life itself, and would do anything in his power to make sure she was happy. Cailin's sobs turned to sniffles and she turned her face to Darren.
“I do love you too, Darren. More than I thought was ever possible. Now go back to your work and let me wipe my face and finish packing. I just think I needed a good cry to let it all out. I'm fine now,” Cailin pulled away from Darren just enough to show him she was fine, kissed him on the cheek and smiled.
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