The Morning After

Julia, The Lovely Bride To Be

Julia With Her Cousins

My Sister Ellen, Julia's Mom

Well, it's 8:15 and I am sitting in the lounge area of the Monaco Hotel, in Alexandria, Va, with my son in law, Drew, both of us recovering from last night's partying, as our wives sleep in.  It's a neat, old hotel, in Old Town, seemingly always busy and dog friendly, and patrons walk in and out with their dogs of all sizes.  It's going to be a sunny but cool, with the high only in he 40's which is fine if there is no wind.

Albarrans Arrive

We left for downtown Alexandria yesterday around 11:15,  and it took us little over an hour to find our hotel. Our daughter Beth and her kids were already checked in, having arrived from Dallas at 10:30.  The hotel is great, centrally located, an easy walk to all the wedding venues.  During the afternoon, our other kids arrived, Jill and Drew around 3:30 from Bristow, and Tom and family from Kansas City so by 4:00, we were all together, at Le Madelaine, a coffee shop./bakery right next to the hotel. Everyone looks good, seems happy to be here and could not wait for the fun to start in the evening.

Bissells And Davis's Arrive

Tyler, Nick, and Mitchell

Most Of The Family

We did take a brief walk but the wind was brisk, so it was not much fun.  So we just hung out, some took naps, like me, and got ready for the rehearsal dinner, as we were leaving for the Gadsby House at 6:45.  There were 16 of us, ready for bear, the girls all dressed up in their new clothes.  The dinner was at a famous Gadsby Tavern, dating from the 1700's.  The host gave an interesting history of the tavern, mentioning that George Washington had a birthday party in the room we were eating and Thomas Jefferson's inaugural dinner was in the same place. Wow.  We had an hour of cocktails, packed in a room with all the wedding party and friends from out of town.  I stood near the shrimp, oyster, and clam table much of the night with the rest of us who love seafood.  The oysters were amazingly fresh and delcious.  My sister's family from Euclid was also there, all 21 of them I think, so all my side of the family and grandchildren were there.  Some of the grandkids had not seen each other in four or five years so it was fun for them.

The Boys Dressed Up

The Girls

Cousins

Dinner was marvelous, either a vegetarian or meat or gluten free option, with salad and dessert. It was a really wonderful night as throughout dinner, we had at least 20 well thought out toasts by family and friends from both the bride and groom's side.  It made dinner really fun and the evening went fast even though we were seated for over two hours.  The seating was also interesting as couples and families were split among different tables, so both sides of the family got to know each other rather than sitting with friends and family we knew.  Julia and Hampton, the soon to be bride and groom, were so happy, excited and had just as much fun as the rest of us, no nerves there.  They are ready for marriage.

Cousins, Kirsten, Richie, Jill

Julia, With Her Brother Brooks, Friend Virginia

Mitch And Nick With Their Favorite Aunt Jill

After dinner, we adjourned to the tavern, with our grandchildren and the rest of the group and enjoyed an open bar until midnight.  The kids seemed to love it, even the boys, and I think everyone from the dinner stayed until late.  It was a marvelous evening, great friends and family, new friends, good food, and lots of grandchildren.  Admittedly, I have not been to many rehearsal dinners, but this was by far the best, the most fun.  I cannot wait for the wedding tonight.