Red White and Married

Over the 4th of July weekend my sister Katie married Rob Sowder effectively leaving me the last remaining Battern daughter. While I am completely aware of the enormous responsibility of that fact, I have to admit, they know how to throw a good party. And that leads me to my next staggering duty: finding a way to somehow throw a better one. Let me show you what I'm up against:

The groom and his groomsmen waiting at the alter for the show to begin.

First up: me. Katie had 2 bridesmaids: My sister Jane and I. I was the maid of honor, and because Jane is married, she was the matron of honor. See what she did there? Clever girl, that Katie.

Jane Janicki, the matron of honor.

Here comes the bride: Dad walks Katie down the aisle.

Katie and Rob saying the vows they each wrote for one another.

Since the ceremony was outside, Katie and Rob poured two vials of sand together to create one large vase of sand in lieu of lighting a Unity candle, since the breeze would most likely have just blown the flames out. I sang twice in the ceremony, and during the sand-pouring I sang "When You Say Nothing At All".

After being pronounced man and wife, Katie and Rob began their processional down the aisle as Mr. and Mrs. Sowder, and I sang "At Last".

The ceremony itself was lovely, of course. The weather was perfect, the pavilion was charming, all in all a successful wedding. The real problem here, people, is the reception. Held at Arlington Racetrack, the dinner and dancing was to be held in the Governor's Room which is a beautiful room with a wall of windows that face and overlook the entire racetrack and the beautiful lake and landscape in the center of the track. It also comes complete with a wrap around balcony that boasted chairs, tables, and the best view in the park. To make matters worse the food was delicious and the drinks were free. Now you can begin to see what I'm up against, can't you?

After dinner and desert had been cleared away and the speeches delivered, the dancing began.


This of course is the obligatory 'first dance' for Katie and Rob, set to "Smile" by Uncle Kracker.

Then the Father-Daughter dance in which Katie cleverly started playing a sappy cliched song, but then the DJ mixed into one of Dad's favorite: "Walk of Life"

Then, the coup de gras. Being that she was married on July 3rd, the park had scheduled a firework display that evening once all the racing had finished and the sun had set. After dancing and talking with family and friends for a few hours, we all made our way outside to get a good spot to view the show. We all look around and begin to notice a couple of important people have vanished. Katie and Rob are no where to be found. Suddenly, the huge three story jumbo-tron screen down on the racetrack flickers on, and who should be on it but Katie and Rob, smiling up at us. And if that wasn't enough, Katie has changed into a different gown. She is now sporting a sequined version of the American flag, and Rob's tie is decidedly more patriotic than the ivory one he'd worn to the wedding.

They are introduced to the thousands who are in attendance at the park that day, and invited to start the fireworks show by pushing down on a giant lever. The crowd erupted into cheers and the sky erupted into colors.

So, to sum up, a wedding on a lovely day, at an amazing horse race park where guests were invited (encouraged!) to bet on the races, giving everyone the chance to yell at the horses and increase their fun-having quota exponentially, great food, free drinks, two dresses, an appearance on a JUMBO-TRON, fireworks, dancing, and great music. Not gonna be easy to top.

I have to call Siegfried and Roy.

All jokes aside, it was an amazing day full of so much fun and great times with friends and family. Thank you to Katie and Rob for showing us all the time of our lives, and congratulations! Have a great time in Ireland!

Father Daughter Dance

Mr. and Mrs. Sowder