September 30, 1995 – “I Do”
This September marks 13 years of marriage for Michael and I. Sometimes I can hardly believe that it’s been that long, and then sometimes I think “That’s all?” Life is hard to imagine without Michael in it. The years before our finding each other are tremendously blurry even. I met him when I had just turned 20, and it’s hard to believe that I was so young. Last week I turned 34 and in a few days we will be marking 14 years of being together.
We started planning our wedding in May ’95. Everyone was certain that we were getting married because I was pregnant. Well, we fooled them. Not only was that NOT the reason, but we didn’t have Mikey until March ’98. My mom took on the task of Wedding Coordinator. I didn’t oppose much of what she wanted to do, because frankly I kinda liked it. There’s only one thing (maybe two), in retrospect, that I would do different, and that would be letting the girls in my wedding party get their hair done where they wanted. My mom wanted them to all go to her salon, and she also wanted them to wear these fake flowerdy things in their hair. The hair deal would be my own qualm, many years down the road. I’d also choose my cousin Pauline to be my maid-of-honor. Otherwise, everything else was done in great taste. The flowers, the centerpieces, the Lincoln Towne Cars, the adornments, the food, the desserts, the open bar. All of it was classy, tasteful, and very well liked. My parents didn’t hold anything back, and it was anything that I wanted…everything that I wanted!
My mom did my hair and make-up and then the photographer came to the house. We waited for all the girls to show up, and then pictures commenced. A couple of the girls were late, and I had a bit of a head-ache because of it, but in the end it worked out.
Once the pictures were done, at the house, my dad took off with my grandparents to go to our godparents (kumoj) house so that they could go “get” Michael. There’s a custom we have where the godparents (whom, by-the-way, are picked at the time of marriage and whom stand up with you at the altar as you take your vows) take a group of people with them to go to the groom, shave him, and then take him to the church. There was also a lot of Shljivovitza involved, too. Oh, how surprised I am that Michael did not end up like one of those groom’s that faints at the ceremony. There was a lot of alcohol floating around in that time.
After all that took place, the best man, my cousin Mike, was supposed to come over. My mom and I never gave him the chance to show up, though. We got nervous and decided to head to the church without him. We were certain that something happened that prevented Mike from coming. Rather than be late to my own wedding, we made a decision. While waiting at the back of the church Michael and our kumoj drove around. I threw myself down, as to not be seen, and to this day Michael says he didn’t see me, but I still think he did. This is when I began to throw the world’s biggest hissy fit. Our priest’s wife caught me in full tears and snot.
“Mishelle. Stop crying.”
“But…but…but…he saw me!”
“It doesn’t matter, honey. Stop crying, you are going to make yourself sick.”
“But…he….oh…my…God….he saw me!”
“Listen, Popche and I left the SAME house on our wedding day. That superstition is stupid. Now stop your crying.”
I listened, stopped crying, and waited for my dad to come get me, to walk me down the aisle.
The ceremony was a traditional Macedonian ceremony. Complete with crying during the vows and laughter during the priest’s closing words. It was amazing and despite being long and hot, I would love to go back and relive it. Afterwards we took pictures and then headed to Green Lake to take more [outdoor] pictures.
Shortly, thereafter, we headed back to the church hall and had a reception. It was HUGE. It was FUN. It was MEMORABLE. It was AMAZING. There was traditional Macedonian dancing along with various customs like the Pig Dance (a dance where a roasted pig is brought out for the godfather to buy for the newly wed couple), the Bread Dance (a dance where the bride dances with a big bread called a Pogacha, and everyone takes the bread and dances with her), and the Wine Dance (a dance where the godfather dances with a pitcher of wine with the couple). Then we had all the other traditional dances like the Father-Daughter Dance, Mother-Son Dance, as well as the fun ones like The Macarena, The Electric Slide, etc…
Our wedding was spectacular, a time of youth, love, and happiness, and a day that I will never-ever forget!
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17 Responses to “September 30, 1995 – “I Do””
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Awesome and happy times!
You look like a princess. Beautiful.
Even with the hic ups it looks like it was an amazing day – with wonderful memories for you and your family and firends. Thank you for sharing!
I felt your stress as I read this, but you know it all paid off didn’t it?
It’s been 17 years for Allen and I.
Awwww, Mishelle, what lovely wedding memories!!! You look so young and happy. Your stress didn’t translate into the photos (and being a stressbag for most of my life I can very much relate!)
And boy, what a party! That traditional Macedonian dancing must have been a blast. We were at an Armenian wedding last weekend, and my Macedonian friend who was also at the wedding mentioned how similar it was to the dancing she was familiar with.
Yay! What a great day you had!
Your wedding was very different than mine (we didn’t have any dancing, for instance, and no alcohol)… but it was SO perfect for you. I’m glad. I’ve never been to a wedding like yours. And I REALLY want to! Sounds like so much fun! :)
Rebecca
So beautiful you were and are :)
Beautiful. Then and now.
Beautiful story Mishelle – what awonderful perfect day day you had even if you did see Michael.
I love the traditional things you did – what fun
that must have been
My I do is up
Awww…. I love wedding pictures. Happy Anniversary!
Opps, just realized it isn’t your anniversary after going back to re-look at your BEAUTIFUL pictures.
Opps.
Have I mentioned how tired I am? I need sleep. ;)
Sounds like you had a wonderful day!
beautiful, honey!
Very sweet Mishi. And, being 20 when I became engaged, there were plenty who thought I was pregnant, too. Funny, I wanted him to see me to get pictures in the church courtyard while it was still daylight. It was the photographer who refused to do it.
Dude, you’re GORGEOUS!
Great story!!
LOL, I was 32 and people thought we were getting married because I was pregnant! A lot of people didn’t really understand why we eloped, and then when I announced my pregnancy 3 months later, you could see their wheels turning when they asked for the due date and did the math… NO, I was not pregnant on my wedding day, ha!
Beautiful! Sounds super fun! I love dancing!
My man and I are not married [yet?] but we feel like life partners and will be celebrating the 7 year anniversary of our first date at the end of June! We were 24 and 27 then, now I am 31 and he is almost 34. Time flying! I still feel young, mostly, but sometimes these kids born in the 80s and 90s make me feel a little older! (and I have learned so much since then!)
I’m VDog’s sister, in case you weren’t sure. :P
Cheers!