Hawaii - April 24th Wedding Day!

Sunday April 24th - The Day of the Wedding!

Sunday morning we packed up and left our Airbnb and moved to our hotel for the wedding. We hoped for an early checkin, and we got it. Sarah and I had hair and makeup at 11:45 in Kelsey’s  room. Their room was crazy! Dan said it was as big as their apartment and it certainly was close.

Joanne Getting Her Makeup Done

We hurried over and it was very nice. We had something to eat, a little champagne and then got our makeup done. She gave me false eyelashes and I’m still not sure what I think of that. I guess I’ll have to see what the pictures look like. They feel weird at first but then I got used to them, mostly.

The woman that did my hair said I had a good haircut. I’ll have to tell Jacquie! Sarah went back to their room to help put the boys down for a nap but I stayed until Joanne’s makeup was finished. It was after 2 by the time we went back to our room, but we had a little while to decompress before it was time to get dressed and head back across the street for pictures at 3:45.

As part of getting our pictures taken, Jeanne, me, and Joanne all got flower leis. I was delighted; I've never had a lei before! Lee and Craig also got leis, with red flowers and leaves instead of the big white flowers that women get. They looked pretty cool.

After pictures it was time to go over to the venue. All our guests sat down, and we all lined up to get ready to go down the aisle. First Lee and I led the way, then Daniel, the groomsmen, and the bridesmaids. Then it was time for Leo and Kirby. Sarah led them to the aisle, pointed to where they were supposed to go, and scurried around the side to her seat. They were on their own. They looked down the aisle saw all the friendly faces, held each other’s hands and did it! I can’t tell you how proud I was of Leo, and Kirby too. It was a big deal for Leo. It took a lot of courage for him to do that. They were incredibly cute and I can’t wait to see the pictures.

Leo, Kirby and the Flower Girl

Then the flower girl, tossing the rose petals, and then Kelsey with her mom and dad. Kelsey’s dress was so spectacular. She looked incredibly happy and her parents were a little misty eyed. So were we.

The ceremony was pretty sweet. They explained the Japanese, Hawaiian and Jewish symbols, said their vows, kissed. Husband and wife! Gosh, Daniel has found himself such a wonderful girl.

We were herded outside onto the patio for the cocktail hour. They had wine and beer, and several different cocktails available. And lots and lots of hor droves. Every time I turned around something different was going by. I tried a lot of them, but I’m sure I missed some.

Leo, Kirby and the flower Girl were busy cleaning up the rose petals

Then it was time for the reception, in another part of the hotel. Kirby insisted on walking down all three flights of stairs, which held us up including all the people behind him and then the people in front of us had disappeared and we weren’t positive where to go, but we figured it out. 

A very large room with big tables. We sat at a table with all our family members. First there was a salad then the main courses, either fish, meat or a vegan option. It wasn't as good as Roy’s but it was still delishous. The dessert was REALLY good, however!

Amy, Lee, Daniel, Kelsey, Mark

Then it was time for the toasts. First a speech by the maid of honor and then one by Daniel Tse, Daniel’s best man. Wow, Daniel Tse’s speech was pretty amazing, very complementary to our Daniel, as a friend and as a person. They have known each other since daycare at the CDL, so that is just really special. Then the MC got us all in the mood, waving our napkins in circles above our heads. 

Mary, Cathy and Sam

Next came the bonszai toasts by two of Kelsey’s Uncles, a Japanese-Hawaiian thing. They are short toasts in Japanese, one to honor the parents (us) and one to honor the bride and groom.

Then Daniel and I danced, to James Taylor of course. Daniel said “I may fall asleep,” and it took me a second and then I laughed. And he was a nice dance partner, very easy to dance with. Then Kelsey and her dad danced to a Hawaiian song, and then the party really began. But first Kirby and Leo had to warm up the dance floor to Lizzo. Ha.

There were lots of fun activities, including a photo booth, 

a guest book with a Polaroid camera. They had the skyline of San Francisco made with the 1001 golden cranes that Kelsey folded on display.

The younger folks were dancing to songs I hadn't heard before, so I spent my time talking to family and friends. Eventually it was time to go back to our hotel room.  It was 11 before I turned out the light. So crazy, and so wonderful!

Hawaii - The Day Before the Wedding

Friday April 22nd - Continued

We got back from lunch and tried to get the boys to nap, but no luck. Finally we gave up and Sarah and I put on our bathing suits and went into the pool area with the boys. Sarah started feeling queasy and before too long she was sick. We thought maybe she inadvertently had an allergic reaction to something in the fish sauce on a poke bowl. She was basically sick for the rest of the day. She’s better this morning, but still not 100%. I went to the grocery store and got her some Gatorade and saltines.

In the evening Mark, Mary, Blake and Joanne came over with carry out Vietnamese. It was great, and it was nice just chatting with them. The little boys slept much better last night. Kirby slept straight through until 5. Leo woke up at 2 but got in bed with mom and dad and went back to sleep. We’re getting there!

Then in the middle of the night Lee got sick too. He and Sarah are insisting that it must be food poisoning and not a gastrointestinal bug of some sort. They are the ones with the sensitive stomachs, and nobody else is sick.

Saturday April 23rd

I can’t believe it is the day before the wedding! Hopefully everyone that is sick recovers quickly and nobody else gets sick.

Late in the  morning we went to Dan and Kelsey’s “Bites on the Beach” event at Moana Alo Beach Park in Waikiki. Sarah really wanted to go but she wasn’t up to it yet and neither was Lee, but the rest of us went.

They had set up a big tent in a picnic area, and had lots of food too. I met a bunch of Kelsey’s uncles, aunts, and cousins. They were all super nice. I will remember their faces but names are hit and miss. Dan and Kelsey seemed happy and pretty relaxed considering. Erik, Kris and Suzanne took the boys to see the ocean. There was a nice lagoon with no waves. Leo went in up to his waist but Kirby wouldn’t go in the water. He probably just thought it was a giant bathtub!

We thought the boys would fall asleep in the car on the way home, but alas. But Sarah was determined to get them to nap so they would be functional for the rehearsal dinner. And after a lot of screaming and crying they both fell asleep.

The rehearsal dinner was great. The food was wonderful and the venue (Roy's Waikiki) did an excellent job. We met Craig’s parents. Craig’s father does floral arrangements and gave us one he had made especially for us. 

The wines I picked out were nice but in retrospect I wish I had chosen a Sauvignon Blanc instead of a Chardonnay. I was trying to please the maximum number of people, but unless it’s dry I just like Sauvignon Blanc’s better. The Pinot was amazing however. 

There were a collection of Asian appetizers, a dumpling, an egg roll, a grilled shrimp and something else that I forget. I ate the dumpling and the shrimp. I was pacing myself. Then a nice salad. It had pickled radishes on it which I thought were kind of weird but Kirby loved them and he ate everybody’s. Then the main course. I had the butterfish and it was wonderful. Then a bread pudding for dessert. Wow!

Sarah and Lee were feeling much better. They were able to socialize but not eat or drink much at all.

I gave a toast. They say not to embarrass your son, but what fun is that? So I told the story of Daniel losing his soap at summer camp and coming home so dirty that we wouldn’t let him in the house until we hosed him off outside. The object was to show how much he has improved over the years, but Kelsey said he still leaves his dirty dishes on the bedside table, at least sometimes.

Hawaii - The Trip There and the Days Before the Wedding

Thursday April 21 Wedding T-3

Boy it’s been a long time since I’ve done a flight like that. 9 hours. Plus we had a 2 hour delay. We made it though! It was such a long day. The little boys would get restless so one of us would take them for a walk, up and down the isle of the airplane. Lee and I were in Comfort+ so we had a little legroom. They had a hard time sleeping on the plane, until about an hour before we landed. None of the rest of us slept much either.

By the time we got to the Airbnb it was 8 pm here, and the middle of the night in Minnesota. We were mostly in bed by 9-9:30, but of course we started waking up by 3. The little boys were up by 5. We all had oatmeal, some of us had coffee too. Then I went for a run.

I thought I would only run for 30 minutes to an hour, but it was actually very nice out, about 72F and humid, but very breezy, which made it cooler. I ended up going a little over 5 miles, first up the road toward the mountain until it dead ended, and then down along the ocean.

Came back to the house and the boys were playing in the pool and Sarah and Kris went to the grocery store. And it’s only 8:30! 

Friday April 22 Wedding T-2

Yesterday we mostly hung out. Napped, swam, ate, repeat. The boys are tired and confused, but Kirby passed out in front of the TV and we just let him stay there for a good 2 hour nap. Leo tried but he couldn’t fall asleep. Around 3:30 it was time to go over the the hotel to do the wedding rehearsal. This is the first time I’d seen the hotel. It’s beautiful! The coordinator was very organized, walked us through everything we needed to know, lined us up. Then we practiced. First Lee and I, then the groomsmen, and Daniel, then the bridesmaids, then Kirby and Leo, then the flower girl and then Kelsey and her parents. It’s a 50-50 shot whether the boys will make it down the aisle without an adult. We’ll see! They’ll be adorable whatever happens.

We practiced twice and then went back to the house. Suzanne and Kris were making tacos and Daniel and Kelsey came over as well. We had a nice evening sitting out on the patio, eating and talking. By 8 Dan and Kelsey had left and we went to bed.

I slept better but I still started waking up at 2, then 3, then 4, and finally got up at 5. I had some coffee then then went for a run. Just 4 miles, and I felt I was dragging. I’m 13% heat adapted according to my watch anyway!

At 10 Sarah and I had appointments for mani-pedis with Kelsey, 2 of her bridesmaids, and Kelsey’s mom. I got light pink on my fingers and an opalescent light purple on my toes. They both look very nice! If I can keep my fingers from chipping before the wedding it will be a miracle, however.

Then we met Lee, Erik and the boys at Ono seafood. Kirby was asleep in Erik’s arms and looked sweaty and tired. They had spent the morning at the beach.

 We got a variety of poke bowls. Then Mark, Mary, Blake and Joanne showed up! Afterwards the boys got this bright purple sorbet with sprinkles from a nearby stand. It was the most garish ice cream I’ve ever seen! Kirby made a huge mess, of course and declared it “yucky”. Poor guys. 

Daniel had remembered a shave ice stand down the street, so Mark, Blake and I walked down there. I got Daniel’s recomendation, the Obama rainbow with condensed milk on top. I immediately got the worst brain freeze! It was painful but the shave ice was yummy, and I ate it all.