I woke up, nervous and excited. It was already so hot and the prediction was for well over 100. This would be the last time I shared a bed with my sister, Judy. We hadn't been late the night before - just went out for a meal at the Elks with Dad (Mom wouldn't go because she was so self conscious about her disability) Judy and her boyfriend Larry (they were getting married in 3 weeks time) and a few friends who had come for the day.

I had to hurry because I was getting my hair done at a shop way north in town. One of the Werner girls was going it - she lived four houses down the road from us. She was quite a few years younger, but I thought it was a nice touch to have my hair done by a friend on my wedding day.

I got there, a bit early, and waited and waited. Finally I asked the receptionist what was going on. It turred out that Cheryl wasn't yet in, so they called her, and she had forgotten. Boy, if I wasn't nervous before, that was not going to help. She got there about half an hour late, and rushed through the job, and my hair looked pretty awful. But not much I could do about it.

Back home, Kathleen my oldest sister was getting her five kids organised. They had travelled in a camper van from Portland, taking three days and nights. It was the first time her husband and kids had been to our part of the world, and they were very excited. Kathleen had made the girls and herself matching dresses - blue A-line with short sleeves and some white lace trim on the neckline.

I went into the bedroom to put on my dress. I'd made it and Judy's bridesmaid's dress - and was quite proud of how professional they looked. The material was thin cotton with a sort of overlapping effect - and the sleeves and waist and bottom of the train had wide lace trim. I went out to the living room, and all these little nieces wanted to touch me, and I was scared of their chocolate covered fingers. I expect I shouted. I was really getting nervous by then.

Mom went early because she wanted to be seated before anybody else so nobody would see her limp down the aisle. Larry drove Judy and Dad and me, and as we went into the vestibule to wait for the right moment (I was absolutely on time) I noticed Philip and his best man at the opposite end of the church. He looked nervous too.

The organ started playing Handel's Firework Music - and we slowly walked down the aisle. I knew everybody well - and poor Philip knew only us and his four English friends -- Bob the best man whom he'd known at Oxford, John, his flatmate, and Dave and Diane who were also working in the same University as Philip. I remember seeing a cousin turn and take a flash picture of us walking down, and I remember the organist making a mess of the music.

It was only a short service - Philip not being a Catholic had refused having the whole hog - and we said our vows clearly. At one stage there was a reading about how it was hoped our children would be like vines around our table - and Philip nearly laughed outloud. He squeezed my hand tight and sort of coughed to cover his snort.

A few photos by a professional photographer after the service - and then to the KC Club for the reception and lunch. There were about 70 at the lunch - mostly relatives but some of my parents' friends and a few high school and college buddies of mine had come along. We had cold slices of ham, potato salad, homemade rolls, jello salad, and punch. Not much by today's wedding standards, but it was what we wanted and suited the heat of the day. 

I was annoyed that my friends had had the fun of opening my presents - and they were all there on display.  No speeches - just get the meal over and then quickly back to change into my brown and blue going away suit. I cut the orchid out of my bouquet and used it as a corsage.

Some of the relatives came out to the airport to see us off about 3. Then the rest of the gang were having a picnic at a big park to round the day off.

Bob the best man shared our row on the flight back to Chicago. We were off the next day for our honeymoon in England - and second reception in Oxford with all of Philip's relatives and friends. But our wedding night we spent in his, now our, apartment. Luckily, his roommate (and we shared the apartment with him until October) was taking his time getting back after the wedding.

Our flight wasn't until the next evening, and I can remember going to the shoe repair shop the next morning - and when the man asked what name to put on the ticket I blushed as I said, proudly, Mrs. Philip Day.

How are we celebrating? I have a rather uncomfortable and unpleasant internal exam at the hospital at 9.30 and Philip has a CT scan at his hospital at 1. Neither of us slept last night - he was coughing and twitching all night long. We might open a nice bottle of red, and maybe have some good steak. I wonder if we will make it to 41?