After pictures, a light snack was served. Brady was the one to choose this course and of all things chose sushi. California, Philly and Salmon rolls. He had paired it with a nice Riesling from the Mosul region of Germany. At 3:15 PM, I prepared myself to walk down the aisle. The infamous “Canon in “D”, “played and the guests stood to their feet as my father walked me down the aisle. It may have been a second time, but this time was special. As mentioned previously, the weather could not have been more perfect.

The bride; me that is, wore a 1950s vintage dress that was purchased locally in Charleston. The men were outfitted in Khaki pants, a blue and white French cuff shirt, and finally a green and blue striped tie with the covering of a Navy Blue Sport Coat. Brady’s gift for the men had been there outfits, and he even purchased shoes from Aldo for all five.

As I continued down the aisle, the eyes began to focus from back to front as I was going to meet Brady in front of all to see. All was quiet as we exchanged our vows. Halfway thru, we paused for a song and John Legend’s “All of Me” filled the air with the most pleasant musical sound I have ever heard. The vows were quick it seemed, and Scott did an appropriate job of officiating. He spoke a lot about faith and love, both appropriate subjects for us and our wedding nuptials. Corinthians 13 was mentioned as was the faith chapter, Hebrews 11.

A short ceremony was conducted, a song played, and soon after; a long silence before a loud, thundering “Hooray” from the crowd and clapping could be heard for what seemed like a country mile. Rice was not thrown as it harms the birds. Instead, we gave away favors of Andes candies. Chocolate is something that everyone enjoys anyway; and it is an aphrodisiac; Blamo! However, the flowers were thrown and Dad has purchased a beautiful bouquet for me.

The people had set up a tent with hanging lanterns at the corners and underneath on hanging string. Tables were outfitted with both a royal blue and white table linen. Orchids garnished every centerpiece and there was a different variety for each to take home. The dinner was five different types of barbeque that had spent the day underground roasted in a fire pit, and then prepared in the five different ways by a master chef. Additionally, there was Prime Rib or Rib Eyes for beef lovers and Chilean Sea Bass for those who will not eat beef or pork. Not saying they come from the wrong side of the tracks, but who doesn’t eat beef and pork.

We laughed, we danced, we sag, we ate, and we imbibed. A good time was had by all. We raised nearly $350 on the “dollar dance”, and as everyone wanted to dance with the new bride. I on the other hand, only had a few dance with me. My mother, Stephanie’s mother, and a few ladies from the bridal party. Stephanie, on the other hand had a multitude of people standing in line for the opportunity to take a spin. We had to play three songs for her line to get to zero.

We would soon be heading out to our honeymoon destination. I was excited and would be surprised, as this is something that Brady had picked on his own. I would not know the destination until we arrived, and I had planned to sleep on the plane, or in the car; as I knew not whether we were flying or driving to our final destination.

We landed several hours later, and I did sleep. As we loaded our bags into a Jeep, there was island music playing. Neither Brady nor I had been here, but I knew I was in for an adventure. We were to stay eight days and seven nights, but Brady would talk me into a few more before it was all over. Bora Bora was the place. It even sounded magical. After all, I was just happy to be a new bride. I couldn’t wait to see what life would hold with Brady. And even though Graham had inherited a large sum of money from his father who died prematurely, I would never reap the benefits from any of it; and I truly believe that even the security of the money never had any emotional impact on him personally.

We checked into the Thalasso Spa, Bora Bora, at about Noon. The water was as clear as I had ever seen. You could see fish below swimming as if it was the cleanest water in the world. Sadly, they looked healthier than me in their own environment. The hotel was essentially thatched-roof huts that fanned out into the ocean in a geometrically sound shape. If this was not the picture of Japanese or Chinese health; whichever you want to apply, I do not know what was. All of our Chakras were right, and nothing was wrong.

Brady had scheduled a couple’s massage for 3:00 PM the first day. On beds overlooking the ocean at the top of a mountaintop at Nui Resort and Spa, I watched the gentle ocean waves crash against the 800 meters of white shoreline while a French Polynesian man relieved Brady and I from all of our stress; not that there was much to be had in a place like this. Similar to the first time I married, I was wondering about our guests, but I knew that my father and mother would ensure that a good time was had by all. For some reason, I had brought my iPod and I was listening to John Legends CD as this man with wonderful hands worked on me for about an hour. He started with a very simple Swedish massage technique and moved quickly into deep tissue. At the end, he would again finish in a gentle style, with essential oils and lotion to make my skin smooth and fresh. I began to wonder what our first meal in French Polynesia might be, and I was hungry after the long journey.

We had reservations at Villa Mahana the first night. It continued on the theme of majestic. As we ate, a classical and contemporary type of music with a heavenly vibe filled the air. This was no “run of the mill” eaterie. The white tablecloths adorned the table and the chairs we were ushered into were French-styled wingbacks which seemed to have the patina of a bygone era. The glasses for water has a blue rim that fired for about an inch from the top. One could notice that they were made by cutting the top off of a wine bottle and were shaped and colored by a master craftsman. The wine glasses were appropriately Reidel, and there were paintings that covered the walls. Most were a contemporary style that paid homage to the Roman-style, as most of the figurines were a little distorted from the wide paintbrush and showed nudity.

The chef had studied in France and was classically trained in Paris. If the wine list was any indication, I felt sure that a sommelier was retained. Brady and I both opted for the same meal and ordered a bottle of Guigal for sipping. Rare Tuna steak garnished with a few blackberries with a side of Bibb lettuce finely dressed with a pineapple citrus marinade instead of a dressing. This was no ordinary Tuna. The chef had sent out a complimentary appetizer and later visited our table to recommend the Tuna. It was freshly caught just two hours before preparation by a local fisherman. He was paid daily for the daily catch. Sometimes I wish I had a job so simple and so easy. It would be a wonderful thing to know that I was delivering the famous French Polynesian fish each day at the market price.

Brady knew that I had a concept for a restaurant at some point that I would open in my life. Thirty-two place settings each evening and one appetizer, entre and dessert. When the reservations are booked, the show is over. It would give time for the chefs to plan a daily menu that would always be local and fresh. As a woman growing up watch my Father work his guts out, I decided that I would take a softer approach to work, but still retain the work ethic that he had taught me. As we dined, I talked about the opportunity to Graham as I had about had my fill of “Crook & Chase”. We would be treated like royalty no doubt, and we ate like the King and Queen of England throughout the week. Brady thought the opportunity interesting, as there was not such a concept in Roanoke. Neither of us had any strong ties to home, except for my parents that I saw religiously on Saturday and Sunday, so we also talked about a move to Asheville. I could start the restaurant, and Brady could either sell his book of business, or retain it as an annuity and visit Virginia once a week to service his client base there.

Within two weeks of returning from vacation, we decided to pick up stakes and move. I was thirty-nine when we became Ashevillians, and I was happy to begin a new life in a new home with Graham. We took a few short visits to see where we might like to live and landed in the same community as Brady’s friend, entrepreneur Mike Lintz. It was called Biltmore Lake. Our new address would be 377 Quill Gordon Court, Biltmore Lake, NC 28715.

Mom,

We have started a beautiful new life in Asheville. Brady was offered quite a price to sell his practice so we decided to do so and put the money toward our home. It is not fully paid for, but we have plenty of equity as a security blanket. Brady has joined Mutual of Omaha, and he says it is the strongest compensation plan he has ever seen in the financial services business.

It is Saturday, and today I will hang a clothesline in the back yard whether the neighbors like it or not. It is getting chilly here in the evenings, and the days shorter and shorter, but I am happy to report that my laundry will still be done as we have always done it on Saturdays; as it is a tradition I will never break.

In addition to Brady’s new employment, we are opening a restaurant. Brady also has an idea for a personal delivery service, but that remains to be seen how the details will come together. In “Beer City”, I feel sure the concept will catch on quickly.

Your daughter, with Love,

Stephanie