We Can See STARS

Future Days Chapter 1: January 2024, Ana's wedding

The lodge they had chosen featured a floor to ceiling window facing out into the nearby snowy hills, snow burdened trees and pristine white landscape. With the accompanying winter decor, and the outside view, it was like they were getting married outside, with all the benefits of being inside. In contrast to the ivory outside, leaves of green were used in decoration, trimming the window and along the walls with the occasional edelweiss interlaced among them. Hints of blue made their appearance here and there among white and green. Twinkle lights were used among the greenery to highlight their presence and were hanging from the ceiling to simulate snow fall. White chairs were organized on either side of the white fabric aisle for friends and family as they trickled in. Only 75 were expected to come adding to the intimate nature of the surroundings. Music played overhead, light piano arrangements in the style of famous love songs, though if you weren't paying attention, you'd never realize it.

As guests arrived, they congregated among the statement fireplace placed in the middle of the room to warm up from outside's cold. Stone decorated the fireplace all the way into the ceiling and a stone ledge was around the bottom providing a place to sit. Some stood nearby it, some decided on their seats and some were sitting by the cozy fireplace.

Ana took one last look at herself in the mirror in her room. The style of dress she wanted was not one easily found off of the rack. It was in a German style, meant to mimic a traditional Dirndl dress. All in white, the high collar, low v bodice included fabric in a different texture to mimic a vest one might wear which led into sleeves with a slight, tasteful ruching where the sleeves met the bodice leading to a long sleeve ending 4 inches above the wrist. The skirt of the dress, made from the same material as the sleeves, reached all the way to the floor. She had to be instructed in how to walk in it to ensure she didn't trip on her way to her beloved; kick, walk, kick, walk.

In following with the theme of traditional German dress, Benn was in a formal type of Lederhosen. A straight fitted forest green colored vest covered the white button up underneath it and was paired with traditional dark brown lederhosen adorned with Bavarian style design and a belt closed with a belt buckle and chain. He fought Ana on it until she showed him how formal and unique the design could be. Aside from that, he was free to choose the style of vest and the pants that would complete the look. For the ceremony he wore a navy blue formal jacket with the lapels made with a velvet material being the same color as the vest to complete the three piece ensemble. The socks he chose matched the shade of the vest in a solid color and were in the traditional calf styled socks his tattoos peaked out a bit from under them. The shoes matched the color of the pants and belt. Ana hadn't seen it all together yet but was excited to see how it came together and combined with her dress.

As the time came closer, guests were invited to take their seats in front of the snowy landscape in anticipation of the couple. The music then changed to a light guitar beginning to a John Lennon song. As the lyrics came in, Benn walked down that fabric aisle with his mother on his arm. He smiled and greeted anyone his eyes laid on. Minutes after, Ana came through and everyone stood up to take her in. Her hair was brought up into a loose bun and her lipstick was a bright, happy red. Such a contrast to the pure white surroundings. Nobody was happier than Jamie Benn to see her in white. The twinkle in his eye and small genuine smile from him showed that. The lump that was clearly in his throat must have shortened his breath on his first glance at her. Once she got to the front and was hand in hand with her beloved, the music faded away softly and the ceremony began. They took a deep look at each other, she wiping away the one tear that escaped to his cheek as he mouthed 'you are breathtaking.'

With beloved friends and family looking on during that bright, snowy day, Ana and Benn said their vows to each other, exchanged rings, and promised forever before he dipped her for a kiss when allowed. I could count on one hand the number of weddings I've seen that touched me, and that one certainly made the list. Sat next to my Jamie and reminiscing on our own wedding a little more than a year before, the butterflies from that day came rushing back.

The same space reserved for the wedding was to be set up for the ceremony. Once greetings to the happy couple were made, everyone was escorted to a smaller room for cocktail hour while the newlyweds and their immediate families took pictures outside in the winter wonderland. Some couples took the time to take a walk among the beautiful surroundings and white landscape. Those more cold averse kept refuge in the toasty inside. Ana insisted I be part of the pictures so Jamie and I were bundled up in the cold outside waiting for our turns as the unofficial matron of honor and best man. Living in the southwest and being used to the heat made our formerly thick blood far thinner and we were colder than we would have been in our past so we huddled up close together clutching the hot drinks we managed to grab from inside.

After pictures and the cocktail hour, the main hall was once again ready for part two of the wedding: the ceremony. To conform with this German theme, the table were set up like a German brewery. Long wooden tables and benches stretched from the large window toward the entrance with a dance floor placed closest to the window in the middle. On the tables were centerpieces that matched the decor of the ceremony; leafy greens, white statement flowers and hints of blue. The twinkle lights still hung from the ceiling in snowfall formation.

The happy couple was announced as the door was kicked open to see Ana draped in Benn's arms, silly as can be. Once they high-fived, danced and sashayed their way to the dance floor, the first dance was announced. Once the chorus came in, everyone was invited to join them until the dance floor was filled with dreamy eyed couples of various years in marriage. Jamie and I danced close, looking at each other from time to time and feeling the slow beat and sway of the song. One more song started and then dinner was announced while music for mingling played in the background. Dinner didn't last long before the party really started and dancing took over. Jamie wasn't really much for dancing but would do a few with me from time to time, especially the slower ones. When he wasn't, he was hanging out with the few teammates that were present with drink in hand. Ana and I got to dance to some of our favorite Beatles songs I knew would make the cut, Twist and Shout and I Saw Her Standing There to name a couple. I would dance with other people I got to know and it wasn't until much later that I realized Ana and Benn were nowhere to be seen. This part of their night was definitely over. As people started leaving, Jamie and I followed suit and went to the room that was booked for us, exhausted from the day's events.