THE WEDDING...

Let me start out by saying that most, if not all, couples are beautiful, handsome, and ridiculously happy on their wedding day. What happens after that is between them. Marriage, in general, is a work in progress. From the moment "I do" is said in front of witnesses until a grieving spouse utters a final, "I love you" or "Until we meet again" at the gravesite.

It was hot on 2 July 1944, with the sun shining brilliantly. It was a beautiful day for a wedding. The church was awash with the intoxicating fragrance of the various flowers adorning the altar, and the cymbidium orchids that made up the bridal bouquet. A nervous groom stands with his groomsmen at the foot of the altar, anxiously anticipating the moment his bride enters the chapel. The bridesmaids lined up at the back of the church, waiting for their musical queue to start their walk down the aisle.

The priest signals the organist with a slight nod, and the first chords of the wedding march are heard throughout the church. With one foot in front of the other, the youngest members of the bridal party start down the aisle, strewing rose petals as they go. The bridesmaids, followed by the maid of honor, take their turn, slowly heading down the aisle to meet their counterparts and wait for the bride.

The DeLio-Poppa Bridal Party

From L-R:  Patricia DeLio, Joseph Lipari, Antoinette Borsellino, Onofrio (Norfe) Borsellino, Vera Lenahan,  Marilyn DeLio-Poppa, Rocco Poppa, Elizabeth Poppa, Florence DeVito, Barbara Segreti and August (Augie) Poppa

Here comes the bride, escorted down the aisle by her eldest brother. What should have been the happiest day of her life was slightly marred by the passing of her father six months before the wedding after a long illness. Clutching onto her brother's arm, the beautiful bride walked down the aisle with her head held high, all the while focusing on the loving gaze of her soon to be husband.

Within the hour, the ceremony is complete, the vows have been exchanged and sealed with a kiss. The happy couple walks back up the aisle and is greeted by a hail of rice and good wishes for a long and joy-filled life together. Those wishes came true. I would like to introduce my parents... 

Mr. & Mrs. Rocco Poppa