Fifteen years ago today, Andy and I were married in the Boston Public Garden, and this past weekend we made our way back there with some special guests from that original wedding weekend. Mom arrived first, as she and Suzie were preparing the arrival reception at the condo. We arrived shortly afterward, dropping our bags at the Fairmont Copley Plaza, then making our way along the Southwest Corridor Park, where just about everything was in bloom. The weather would prove fortuitously lovely for almost the entire weekend, something that hadn’t always been in the predicate cards, so we welcomed every sunny moment as it came.
Suzie and Elaine arrived next, with Chris shortly thereafter, and the arrival reception began with a charcuterie spread that rivaled the beauty of the gardens outside.
We decompressed and relaxed into the weekend, beginning a run of amazing food and indulgent dining.
The Fairmont Copley Plaza texted when our room was ready, so we headed back and checked into the Public Library Suite, which was my gift to Andy for our 15th.
The Fairmont was sweet enough to send up some chocolate-covered strawberries to a Mr. and Mrs. Ilagan, which gave everyone a chuckle.
Our group reconvened in the suite to have some quiet quality time before dinner.
Now, a word on the fashion. I’ve been embracing a more casual and relaxed silhouette these days, which actually echoes our actual wedding ceremony outfits (we wore jeans and polo shirts). Still, my past outfits were very much colorful and outrageous, so to bridge that with where I am today, there was one outfit that was designed to be frilly and fanciful and over-the-top. To that end, this winter I found myself sewing a multitude of silk flowers onto a pink linen jacket I’d picked up on last year’s Broadway trip to New York. It was inspired by cherry blossoms and peonies – both of which have meant a lot to Andy and I over the years.
Dinner at Mooo was a delicious experience, decadent and divine, and so filling that Suzie and Chris and I decided to walk back while Andy and the Moms hopped into a car – an homage to our last night as bachelors fifteen years ago.
A walk on a beautiful Boston night brings back the history – our own and the city’s.
We meandered through the Boston Public Garden – a sneak preview of the next morning’s anniversary stroll.
These two took good care of me, seeing me back to the hotel in safety and style.
We reached the Fairmont, and found the peonies – a mainstay of most of our anniversaries.
And just in case we didn’t find them, they were on my jacket.
And here’s a look back at the original weekend:
Part 1: The Arrival & Accommodations
Part 3: The Last Call of a Bachelor
Part 4: The Dawn of the Wedding Day
Part 6: The Perfect Day in the Park
Bonus Post: The Residual Glow of Marriage
