My Mom and her boyfriend Bob Chandler finally decided to get hitched on Saturday, September 29, 2001, at 5:00pm. It had been a long time coming. Mom and Bob met on New Years Eve, as 1989 transitioned into 1990 at the Libation Lounge. Oddly enough, my Mom thought that Bob was another guy that looked like Bob – and was also named Bob! – and denied him his first request for a dance. We will mercilessly leave out any reference to the Bobbsy Twins. After running into each other now and then and the bar, they finally had their first date about a month later.
Their first date was to a Monster Truck show and they each took along a kid: Denise and Bryan. Soon enough Bob had wormed his way into all of our lives and Mom had herself a new boyfriend. And so it went for nearly ten years.
Mom didn’t move in with Bob at his home in Franklin until the Summer of 2000. She still kept her Kettering residence but eventually sold it the following year, the year that they would finally tie the knot.
Mom and Bob’s ceremony resembled the one that I had had two years earlier to Lisa. By that time of course, my marriage had ended. But other than the impending doom that would haunt my marriage, the ingredients were all there: Pastor Lisa Hazen officiating the ceremonies at the Beavercreek Chruch of the Brethren, organist Raymonde Rougier, and even a vocal number performed by my Aunt Darlene and Uncle Jim, who sang The Irish Blessing.
Bryan was Bob’s Best Man and I acted as the lone Groomsman. Denise was Mom’s Maid of Honor and Ashleigh was the sole Bridesmaid. Denise’s fiancee Aaron Ockerman (spelled in the bulletin as Aaron Auckerman) was the Usher.
Brittney helps Ashleigh get her hair ready for the ceremony
I assist Carolyn, the guest book Nazi
Grandpa and Grandma Murphy
Bob, Bryan, and me waiting to get this show on the road
Escorting Grandma Murphy to her seat
Bryan, Denise, and I pretend to walk down the aisle. I think I walked that aisle more than anyone.
Enter the flower girl
Ashleigh does her part
Walking my Mom down the aisle
There were two readings, one the traditional 13 Corinthians and the other not from the Bible. These were read in pairs, the first by my Aunt Diana and Bob’s sister Cindy, the second by my Aunt Bev and Bob’s sister Sherri. My girlfriend Carolyn took care of the guest book. The greeters were Sherri’s daughter Cara and my cousin Nikki. Bells were distributed by Sherri’s daughter Emily and my cousin Eric. These were to be rung as my Mom and Bob left the church.
The gals seem to be paying attention during the service
Mom gives Grandma a hug during the ceremony
Escorting Briana and Ash out of the sanctuary
The ceremony was nice and brief. Afterward, we gathered the front of the church for photographs (taken by Mom and Bob’s friend Dave). We took a few outside in front of the church as well. As Mom and Bob headed to their car, all of the attendees rang bells to send them off to the reception that would held at the Eagles Nest, which made the third time we had all been to a reception there in the last three years.
Bryan, Denise, and I wait at the piano for our turn to be photographed
Mom with Yaht and Little B
Denise and the girls
All of us
Informal shot of me on the steps with Briana and Ashleigh
Family in the making: Carolyn, Ashleigh, Briana, and me
Nice candid shot of Ashleigh chatting with her Grandma
Cute posed photo of Mom displaying the marriage certificate and Bob reacting appropriately
Nice family photo taken in front of the church
Denise and I, finished with our photos
Mom and Bob headed to their caddy, ready to be showered by…bells
The most classic shot of all. That is Bob’s ex-wife Pat looking in the car window as they take off. This shot couldn’t have been funnier if they had created it on purpose!
According to their service bulletin, Mom and Bob’s marriage mission statement was as follows: To join our lives and families together as one. To be best friends and lovers, and always be there for one another. to make our lives more complete by being together.
Fingers crossed, they are still at.
The day will continue at the reception…
Return to the Fall of 2001 here…
So good to go down memory lane, and especially great to see pictures of mom. I miss her so much. It brought tears to my eyes. I think Bob and Barb have successfully been living their mission statement and hope they continue to do so.
Bev
December 5th, 2010