I was the Best Man at my own wedding!

We are now in those BRR months - you know September, October, November, December.

 

I have seen snow in September, no snow until after Christmas, 70+ degrees in November with bugs flying around, a blizzard on Thanksgiving Day, hummingbirds in October, water skiing in December, an outdoor picnic December 7th, all of the above in Southern Minnesota. I wonder how the four BRR months will be out of the ordinary this year??

 

Will the Twins survive the BRR October month into the World Series?

 

Genie and were married at the Lion Lutheran Church in Clear Lake, Iowa on September 28, 1963.

 

At that time a blood test was required by the state of Iowa - we passed the test. The Pastor performing the ceremony filled out a marriage certificate with the Bride and Groom signing the form along with the best man to be proof of the marriage. The form was signed immediately after the wedding. Genie signed, I signed, the best man signed and the Pastor signed and then we were officially married.

 

We were outside taking pictures when the pastor grabbed the best man and me by the arm and led us back inside the church.

 

The best man was Robert Tollefson and I was Robert Hanson - somehow the pastor got us mixed up, so the best man signed as the Groom and I signed as the best man. Thus, Genie was married to the best man and I was the best man at my own wedding!!

 

I submitted the facts to “Ripley's Believe It or Not” as the shortest marriage on record.

 

Ripley's sent a nice letter back stating my facts were very interesting, but it did not qualify as a wedding because it was not a legal wedding.

 

Genie and I attended the Annual AAL (Now Thrivent) retired agents get together held yearly in September at Bob and Joyce Goetz home in Austin, Minnesota.

 

“Old” agents from Austin, Albert Lea, Kiester, Waseca, Owatonna, Janesville and Rochester were in attendance. Much of the conversation was about injuries, Doctoring, Medications and our personal health, both past and present. (All those present were over 75 years young!!)

We are very fortunate at Central - East Freeborn Lutheran Church to have a great “Whirlwind” group of youngsters led by Emily Virus and Kris Wolff as adult co-ordinations.

 

On Sunday afternoon September 15 they held a Whirlwind Event at the Cabin In the Woods owned by Diane and Gene Wangen.

 

A meal of hotdogs and s'mores was enjoyed by all. The meal was followed by a Wagen Ride pulled by two different horses with Gene Wangen at the Helm and Barry Mosler helping the riders on and off.

 

Those attending were also entertained by live music (thanks to Mark Sorenson and Cyndi Christianson). A real surprise was when a Western dressed singer of old, well-known songs stepped up and belched out a few tunes. I didn't catch his full name, but he answered to the first name of Matt and he wasn't as tall as most country western singers.

 

An unusual thing happened when the Manchester Volunteer Fireman phone alarm went off. “Report to the Black Top at Highway 13 in Manchester. Car accident - Lady trapped in vehicle.” Richard Ackland took off as a volunteer. He later came back, stating, “Lady got out of car and was picked up by Albert Lea Ambulance.

 

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Bob is a retired AAL (Aid Association for Lutherans) agent, currently working on his master’s degree in Volunteering. His wife, Genie, is a retired RN, currently working on her doctor’s degree in Volunteering. They have two children, Deb in North Carolina, and Dan in New York. Bob says if you enjoy his column, let him know. If you don’t enjoy it, keep on reading, it can get worse. Words of wisdom: There is always room for God.