With the wedding getting closer with each passing day, it has become increasingly important to us over the last few months to find a special way to honor those in both of our lives who have since passed on. We finally came up with an idea to go visit each of our grandparents at their respective cemeteries and drop off a wedding invitation. Although they won’t be in attendance, we know that they’ll all be looking down on us from Heaven with proud, smiling faces. (Unfortunately, we won’t have an opportunity to fly down to see Paul in Alabama, but you can bet he was not forgotten as we made our visits.)
I can just imagine them all there: Rita & Richard would be a riot—ever the loud, Italian grandparents who’d be overjoyed to join in on the celebrations. Ron would give one of his famous back-breaking hugs and laugh that unforgettable throaty laugh of his. Bernie & Pat would be the soft-spoken ones of the bunch; not as noisy as the others but easily the most sentimental. Paul’s eyes would hold that familiar twinkle as he flashed that signature German smile. And Emil, well, he probably would’ve been the one to marry us if he were still around today!
It was so lovely getting to visit them all and leave behind an invitation with some flowers. Well, all except for my grandparents...who are ten feet high in their mausoleum! 😜 An invite on the sill had to suffice. My poor Grandpa Ron’s grave was half-buried by grass--Mike so sweetly dug him out. Rita & Richard have a beautiful shady spot underneath a large tree, while Pat is happily nestled beside her mother and brother. And lucky Paul gets to enjoy that gorgeous Alabama weather year-round.
We miss all of them and so greatly wish they were still here with us to share in our special day. But we know they’re all so excited and proud of their grandkids. It’s safe to say that there will be seven amazing people smiling down on us on the 10th. ❤️
