The Wedding

Zack and Linda are a delightful couple. They both have a story; first, Linda.

This magnetic young lady lost her mother eleven years ago. She has brothers and sisters, but Linda is the baby so she and her dad suddenly had only each other at home. They were thrust into the unknown together. When you meet her for the very first time and see this feminine twenty-something, you have to understand there is a substance of character much deeper than the outward, cute-girl (and she is cute) appearance.

Our first meeting was the day before the wedding as we arrived to meet others and have lunch at the restaurant where the reception was to be held. We were greeted by one of her sisters who displayed a broad smile and issued a bold, but warm welcome. We announced our coming and she found Zack for us. Most of the family was at the venue decorating.

As we stood talking to Zack this petite blonde in a blue SDSU sweatshirt and jeans came bouncing up and stuck out her hand and very boldly said, “Hi, I am Linda.” Her hands were small, but not smooth. Her shoulders were square and broad and she smiled a big smile with a freckled face. My mind raced to compare her with others I might have met in the past to classify her. She was outgoing, she was obviously a worker, an athlete maybe; perhaps a swimmer. I knew she was reared on a farm so that image overshadowed much of the rest of my analysis. Above all, she was personable. I thought to myself that she is the perfect match for Zack, while being outgoing; he is laid back and unflappable. There were complementary traits flying around in that instant, first impression.

The next day…as she walked down the aisle on her father’s arm, she radiated beauty. There were no tears, just a big smile. Her gown was strapless revealing her athletic frame. We found out later that the couple had met in a co-ed softball league which answered many questions. She is obviously a good athlete with her tenacity and solid will that went with the power, yet beauty that she displayed. At the reception she was clearly the bride…stealing the moment everywhere she went: radiant beauty, bubbling personality, a penchant for quick seriousness when that was appropriate and obviously attached to her father, who is now alone.

Zack is the model gentleman. His birth mother has not remarried since she and Greg divorced. She still uses her married name, Sheila Lutz. Zack escorted her in and very appropriately showed her respect and displayed a true measure of affection for her. He did the same for Martha his step-mom…it was all so natural and uncomplicated.

Zack is a bit older than Linda…he received his master’s degree this past year and she recently her bachelor’s both at SDSU. The age slight age difference is of no consequence, but one could not help but think about how she will focus her life with a contemporary who is so strong and so gentle and giving up her primary attachment to her dad who is much older.

The “toasts” revealed much about these two. One sister of Linda’s told her tale and their determination to give her the love and support that she would not feel from a mother as she grew into her formative years. There were tears at the telling of this story. We then understood the impact of the memory spot at the front of the church with flowers and pictures of Linda’s mom and Zack’s granddad.

As a side note, Brother Jim forgot a tie in his packing for the trip and when they arrived at Shirley’s he asked if she had any ties of Joe’s around and she produced a handful of fore-in-hand and bow ties. He put six into his case, mostly bows and announced just before the wedding to Brother Dave and me that he was going to wear one of Joe’s bow ties and he had one for each of us…and he quickly added that Sister Phyllis knew how to tie bow ties (these were not clip-ons.) Dave and I immediately bought into the idea so the three of us were conspicuous by our ties and the word quickly spread that this was in memory of our brother…Zack’s grandpa.

The priest did a good job, all in all. This was a Catholic wedding, but there was no Mass and Communion so that piece was not an obstacle for those of us who were not of the same faith. He did screw up one place where he was reciting the vows for Linda to give to Zack when he said, “I Linda take thee Scott…” She stopped and refused to go on. They both recovered nicely and the priest made light of the error and the congregation laughed…but it was evident that Linda was marrying Zack and not a mistake. We had heard that the priest had struggled with the pronunciation with Lutz at the rehearsal…mixing the long U short U sound. Saturday he did not use the last name at all. (I think that getting Zack’s name wrong in the ceremony made him overly cautious going forward.)

The party shifted to the reception venue. Jane and Terry and Carolyn were the hostesses and host. The shepherded us smartly to our tables and through the buffet. Those Lutz sisters sure know how to get things done. The meal over, we broke for a while before the dance. During the toasts, two of Zack’s fraternity brothers (co-best men) told tales of Zack quickly falling for Linda. Her sister did the same. For those who know what Zack did in the summers during college this seemed like providence: Linda’s sisters were going to plant a hosta garden for their dad…they had a good idea but no knowledge or technique. Along comes Zack, the hosta king, and saves the day. The girls knew the pair was meant for each other. Fate has a funny way of intervening.

We took pictures which I will either post or email around. The Lutz clan was in force…and the three bow tied brothers were very popular with the photographers. Dave leaned over to Jim while we posed for the fifth picture and said, “Hey Jim, it worked.”
Amber had tears, Linda thought it was awesome and Zack kept saying, “You don’t know how much we appreciate all of you coming from so far to support us.” Hey, Shirley, it worked. It was fun being there and these two have each other. I am sure they will be happy.