When the kids and I arrived at the farm the day of the wedding, I got out of the car and the farmer said, "You're wearing black?"
My son went to the hen house to collect eggs. The farm cats love eating raw eggs, but on a farm, you only feed the cats scraps. My son saw a chance for an exception. He said to the farmer, "Since it's your wedding day, can we give the cats an egg to celebrate?"
We dressed the boys.
My son said, "People don't dress up on farms."
I said, "They do for weddings."
And then I tucked his shirt in for the twenty-sixth time.
The four of us were more than half of the guests at the wedding. My youngest son said: "Where is everyone?"
I said, "The important thing is that I have the three people here who I love the most."
And he said, "Who?"
When the boys noticed the free-form nature of the ceremony, they spontaneously added their own touch: A lively rendition of the Sh'ma and a tear-jerker rendition of "You are My Sunshine." Then the boys gave us the rings.
The after-party was kisses, a rope swing, and mattresses left over from moving out the farmer's stuff to make room for all of us.
It took only twenty minutes for the farmer to lose his wedding ring. But it seemed okay: I love this picture because one thing I love about him is that he's always looking for something.
And I think I am that way, too.
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Congrats to you all! Thanks for sharing. Love the pics!
Posted by Kim Knight, MAcOM, LAc on April 20, 2010 at 8:38 am | permalink |
So lovely! Congratulations!
Posted by hayley on April 20, 2010 at 8:38 am | permalink |
Congratulations! Your wedding looks great and it sounds like your family will be really happy on the farm. This is the first time (that I've seen) where you've put up a picture of your family. It's nice to see their faces instead of just imagining them from your descriptions :)
Posted by Mneiae on April 20, 2010 at 8:38 am | permalink |
Congratulations! Wishing you all lots of happiness!
Posted by Ana on April 20, 2010 at 8:40 am | permalink |
Your whole family looks so happy. Congratulations! I know that you will be blessed with many more happy days to come.
Posted by Danielle on April 20, 2010 at 8:40 am | permalink |
Congrats! I too would wear black…
Posted by Kandeezie on April 20, 2010 at 8:44 am | permalink |
Good luck P, and good luck farmer. Be kind to each other. It's nice to see some faces in the pictures. Must be a turning point for the farmer too. I thought he was totally against pictures.
Posted by ash on April 20, 2010 at 8:45 am | permalink |
Congratulations! A very lovely family you have there. And so great to see pictures of you all.
BTW: OMG! Pics of the farmer. Next thing you know, we'll learn his name.
Posted by Jennifer on April 20, 2010 at 8:46 am | permalink |
I thought the exact same thing as Jennifer! :)
And I totally appreciate the way you built the pictures up, Penelope. At first I thought, "Sure, we'll get to see the top of a head, someone's back…" But then all of a sudden there was the whole happy family, with faces and all. So sweet.
Posted by melanie gao on April 20, 2010 at 5:46 pm | permalink |
Congratulations!!! Thanks for letting us attend your wedding. I wish you a long and happy life together.
Posted by Bob Bennett on April 20, 2010 at 8:47 am | permalink |
Mazel-tov!
Posted by Jay Godse on April 20, 2010 at 8:48 am | permalink |
Congratulations! Thank you for sharing!
Posted by Deborah on April 20, 2010 at 8:51 am | permalink |
All the best for a happy future, and yay for pictures!
Posted by Jens Fiederer on April 20, 2010 at 8:54 am | permalink |
In you energetic
Please spend it happily indefinitely.
Posted by katayama on April 20, 2010 at 8:54 am | permalink |
Congratulations to you both. Marriage is definitely a journey :-)
Go n-éirí on bóthar libh ar bhúr saol nua le chéile
Posted by Should Know Better By Now on April 20, 2010 at 8:56 am | permalink |
Congratulations Penelope!
I like your choice of category for this post – Starting a new job.
It's funny that you wore black and the boys wore white. Very good picture of the four of you.
Also noticed it was a bad hair day … and you didn't even mention it! I think that says a lot.
Posted by Mark W. on April 20, 2010 at 8:59 am | permalink |
I thought you said there would never be a picture of the farmer on your blog?
I'm glad we've had a chance to see him. He doesn't look at all how I thought he would. Seeing the four of you, it's clear how happy you all are. Was it ever decided, though, if your ceremony is actually legal? Will the state of Wisconsin recognize that you're married?
Posted by Anna on April 20, 2010 at 9:05 am | permalink |
Why would the state of Wisconsin not recognize the marriage? Did I miss something important?
And thank you to the Farmer for allowing us to see photos. Mazel Tov!!!
(May we assume that his family was not present? Or is that too personal?)
Posted by Kay Lorraine on April 20, 2010 at 3:18 pm | permalink |
Congratulations to the four of you!
Posted by Inge on April 20, 2010 at 9:08 am | permalink |
i wish you two (four) so much happiness!
Posted by paloma on April 20, 2010 at 9:37 am | permalink |
Wow, I wish you and your family the best of luck! May you always be happy. After reading your blog for a long time, you truly deserve it, Penelope!
…and if you aren't happy at times then you at least have a lovely family that is supporting you.
Again, have a wonderful life! :)
Posted by Sven on April 20, 2010 at 9:47 am | permalink |
So happy for you! Felicitations! :)
Posted by grrlpup on April 20, 2010 at 9:48 am | permalink |
Best of luck in a long, happy marriage.
Posted by Michael Langford on April 20, 2010 at 9:49 am | permalink |
I also love seeing your family. Your blogs are intimate, so I feel I know you… I live near too in Wisconsin, so that adds to it.
Seeing your family, the farm, THE Farmer…it's fantastic.
And a great reminder that your blog's purpose and the professional-careerist element of your work is necessarily invaded by life… everything in work is invaded by so-called "real" life and I wish more people would remember that! ;)
Congratulations and all the best…
Posted by Julie on April 20, 2010 at 9:51 am | permalink |
Agreed. Work Life balance. Work Life IN balance. Easier when the ratios are favorable…2 adults, 2 kids. Now you are nuclear!
Posted by joy on April 20, 2010 at 10:16 am | permalink |
Best post ever! Mazel tov!
Posted by Elizabeth on April 20, 2010 at 9:57 am | permalink |
Congrats to you all! thanks for sharing this Penelope, all the best, from our family to yours!
Posted by Ed on April 20, 2010 at 9:57 am | permalink |
It's really heart-warming to see your family pictures on your special day. You both radiate joy … it's very touching to see.
Posted by Nicole on April 20, 2010 at 9:57 am | permalink |
Beautiful! Congratulations.
Posted by Susan on April 20, 2010 at 9:57 am | permalink |
wow, pictures of your kids AND the farmer – you've crossed some sort of line, but it's a good thing. The look of pure joy on all of your faces tells the story. Mazel tov!
Posted by prklypr on April 20, 2010 at 9:59 am | permalink |
Congratulations to all of you! What a wonderful post to read.
Posted by Ask a Manager on April 20, 2010 at 10:00 am | permalink |
I'm so happy for you. We were all there in spirit. i know thats kind of scary. : )
Posted by Tara on April 20, 2010 at 10:00 am | permalink |
Mazel Tov!
Posted by David Giesberg on April 20, 2010 at 10:01 am | permalink |
I love the pictures of all of you! Thank you for sharing with us. Congratulations!
Posted by Anita Junttila on April 20, 2010 at 10:01 am | permalink |
Congratulations! Beautiful! I'm so happy for you and wish you all of God's blessings.
Posted by dl on April 20, 2010 at 10:02 am | permalink |
Congratulations!
Posted by Sara Whitehead on April 20, 2010 at 10:03 am | permalink |
I am very happy for you. And I have also realized lately that I too want to marry a farmer because I am a city mouse and a country mouse. And the farmer let you post photos of him??? What changed?
Posted by Lisa on April 20, 2010 at 10:04 am | permalink |
It's an interesting question — what changed that made him let me post pictures. I think it begins to feel weird that we are a family in our offline world. That everyone sees us there. And then he hides in my online world. It doesn't really make sense. So we are trying this out.
And, so far so good — the comments here are so nice.
Penelope
Posted by Penelope Trunk on April 20, 2010 at 11:59 am | permalink |
I would have worn light blue rather than black, I'm with the farmer on this one. But the event looks private and lovely. Best wishes to you and your happy family. Welcome to Wisconsin Pen.
Posted by Deanne on April 20, 2010 at 10:06 am | permalink |
I love how you tucked your son's shirt in "26 times" and in the photo where they're giving you the rings, it's untucked. Priceless.
Posted by dl on April 20, 2010 at 10:06 am | permalink |
Congratulations! Great to see the pictures, thank you for sharing, best to all of you.
Posted by David on April 20, 2010 at 10:07 am | permalink |
Congrats…What a wonderful gift to give yourselves the commitment of love. I hope it reinforces your boys relationship with the farmer. My own commitment ceremony helped my son build that bond with my husband.
~Sage
Posted by Sage Michel on April 20, 2010 at 10:08 am | permalink |
Can we NOT criticize Penelope on her wedding day?!
Posted by sophie on April 20, 2010 at 10:08 am | permalink |
Congrats! You are now entering a new world. And you're doing fine – he even let you publish a photo of him! Off to a good start. ;)
Posted by The Accidental Farmwife on April 20, 2010 at 10:09 am | permalink |
I'm so very happy for you all, my sincerest congratulations.
I read somewhere that among marriages destined to last, the partners resemble each other. I think you and the farmer look alike.
Happy life Mrs. Farmer
Posted by Kathleen on April 20, 2010 at 10:09 am | permalink |
Mazel-tov!
Thank you for sharing with your readers. :-)
Posted by Laura on April 20, 2010 at 10:11 am | permalink |
Congratulations!
And, may I ask a duh! question: Who officiated?
Posted by ~Nona on April 20, 2010 at 10:15 am | permalink |
Was the farmer's permission to post a pic of him on your blog at last his wedding gift? If so, that's sweet. Best of luck to both of you.
Posted by Olivier on April 20, 2010 at 10:15 am | permalink |
Wonderful! Much happiness to you all.
Posted by Ada on April 20, 2010 at 10:15 am | permalink |
How great is this!?
And blue shirt and khaki slacks: the classic look that's always a winner.
Not to mention the little black dress.
Mazel and nachas, Pen, Farmer and Kids!
Posted by Jay on April 20, 2010 at 10:18 am | permalink |
Congrats! I loved seeing your family. And, since the farmer has not wanted his photo on your blog, I assume we won't be seeing him again. Tell him thanks for allowing this exception!
Posted by VelDean on April 20, 2010 at 10:20 am | permalink |
I'm stunned! And happy for you. Congratulations!
Posted by Lynn on April 20, 2010 at 10:20 am | permalink |
Congrats, Penelope. You all look so happy in the pictures!
Posted by Amy on April 20, 2010 at 10:21 am | permalink |
Wishing you all God's very best! Thank you for allow us in on such an intimate moment. hugs
Erika
Posted by Erika at BluLabel Bungalow on April 20, 2010 at 10:22 am | permalink |
Congratulations – the happiness on your faces is contagious. Thnaks so much for sharing your joy.
Posted by Eileen on April 20, 2010 at 10:22 am | permalink |
Good point about always looking for something. Hopefully, we find things along the way as well. I imagine the day when I have found work and can spend my time looking for something else.
Posted by David Rosen on April 20, 2010 at 10:23 am | permalink |
aww! This is so sweet! Congratulations!
Posted by Julie on April 20, 2010 at 10:26 am | permalink |
Congratulations! I wish you all the best, Penelope.
Posted by jazzypom on April 20, 2010 at 10:27 am | permalink |
Congratulations! Lovely family! Much happiness to you all.
Posted by Susan Roberts on April 20, 2010 at 10:29 am | permalink |
I have a huge smile on my face. Your sons are gorgeous and you all look so beautiful and happy. Thank you so much for sharing this. Seeing the Farmer, finally!!!!!!!!!!
Congratulations again and again.
Posted by Joselle on April 20, 2010 at 10:30 am | permalink |
My most heartfelt congratulations!
Posted by Brigitte on April 20, 2010 at 10:34 am | permalink |
Congratulations and best wishes to you all!!! (way to go, Penelope!!) :)
Posted by csts on April 20, 2010 at 10:41 am | permalink |
Very, very nice. Live long and prosper (together.)
Posted by Marcey on April 20, 2010 at 10:42 am | permalink |
Congratulations to the couple and the new family!
The smiles are contagious. :)
Posted by Marlo on April 20, 2010 at 10:45 am | permalink |
Yay! Nice to see you and the fam. I love that the boys sang "You are my sunshine." I hope you're all ridiculously happy in the the years to come, and that you keep putting beds in the yard for the kids to jump on.
Posted by EllenSka on April 20, 2010 at 10:46 am | permalink |
I'm so bloody happy for you. Lots of love from England. xxx
Posted by Lizzie on April 20, 2010 at 10:46 am | permalink |
Congratulations! Thanks for posting the pics! Mazel Tovs to all!
Posted by Roberta Warshaw on April 20, 2010 at 10:47 am | permalink |
Mazel Tov! I'm glad the farmer lets you post his picture. He's CUTE! Great looking couple and family. Congratulations. :)
Posted by Jessica on April 20, 2010 at 10:49 am | permalink |
I'm all Fahklempt!! (<sp?)
I just adore you Penelope…..and I couldn't be happier for all of you. The farmer is lovely and the boys are just beautiful. Such a thrill to see them! Be good to each other and enjoy living on the farm! Life is good, huh? :)
Posted by Abbe on April 20, 2010 at 10:49 am | permalink |
Penelope, one of my close friends also got married on Saturday (for the first time at age 51) and I swear…I am even happier for you than I was for her! Because you have been through heck and come out on the other side~ The photo of your newly created family was absolutely delightful…it was great to see you looking so happy! And the Farmer, too~and of course, your precious boys. I wish you all the very best! Yay! This is you at your most inspirational best~
Posted by Barbara Hunter on April 20, 2010 at 10:51 am | permalink |
Congratulations! May your lives together be joyous!
Posted by Anthea on April 20, 2010 at 10:57 am | permalink |
This happiness is contagious – I feel it today after seeing the photos – thank you. You all look beautiful & perfect together.
Wishing you a world of love! xo
Posted by Deb Pickman on April 20, 2010 at 10:58 am | permalink |
Congratulations, you can see the happiness on all of your faces!
Posted by mm on April 20, 2010 at 11:04 am | permalink |
Congratulations! Wishing you all live happily ever after! (And if I ever get married again, this is how I'm gonna do it!)
Posted by Thelma Bowlen on April 20, 2010 at 11:04 am | permalink |
This is so beautiful. You look so happy. Congratulations.
Posted by Laurie | Your Ill-fitting Overcoat on April 20, 2010 at 11:05 am | permalink |
Big congrats and many happy years to all of you!!
Posted by Lance on April 20, 2010 at 11:06 am | permalink |
*throwsconfetti*
(Ohh that's not terribly Green is it? But it's virtual confetti, so I'm hoping that's better)
I wish you done deep contentment, days and nights filled with love and laughter, and years upon years to look back together and remember the happiness of your wedding.
And may there be a lifetime of toe touches under warm blankets while kids sleep between you.
Posted by justamouse on April 20, 2010 at 11:06 am | permalink |
It is good to see everyone is able to have fun!
Posted by Anderson Smith on April 20, 2010 at 11:08 am | permalink |
Congratulations! I'm so glad that you get your happy ending… you deserve it!
Posted by Lauren Shanks on April 20, 2010 at 11:12 am | permalink |
Congratulations! You make a lovely family and I really enjoy the way you celebrated – it sounds (and looks) like a lot of fun. And thank you for sharing the photos!
I wish all of you the best. xxx
Posted by Sarah on April 20, 2010 at 11:17 am | permalink |
Love it. Love you. Love life love.
Posted by Melanie on April 20, 2010 at 11:20 am | permalink |
What a handsome family you have! You all look so joyful and happy in the photos. I wish you & the farmer & the boys lots of love and unity.
Posted by Chaely on April 20, 2010 at 11:25 am | permalink |
Congratulations–I'm very happy for you…and welcome to the married-into-cheesehead-dom club (although the native cheeseheads get really annoyed when you call them that)
Posted by Kerry on April 20, 2010 at 11:27 am | permalink |
You are THE BEST!
You tell us about your life and I love reading about what you are thinking and doing. I looked forward to your wedding and sharing the pictures with us makes it special for all of your friends. So what if you want to wear black. You are not a traditional kind of gal. You do whatever you want to do because you are the unique you.
Thanks for letting us see The Farmer and The Boys. So handsome are all of them. You are the jewel among gems of gentlemen.
Now go on and have a great life!
Posted by Socorro Luna on April 20, 2010 at 11:27 am | permalink |
Congratulations and best wishes. You deserve a run of good luck.
Posted by ray on April 20, 2010 at 11:29 am | permalink |
I couldn't think of a more perfect way to celebrate love. Congratulations Penelope!
Posted by Andrea V. Lewis on April 20, 2010 at 11:33 am | permalink |
Congrats Penelope! You have a beautiful family, and you did it all your own way. Good for you!
Posted by Amber on April 20, 2010 at 11:35 am | permalink |
It's so nice to finally put a face to the farmer. your boys are beautiful. thanks for showing them to us!
Posted by Maria on April 20, 2010 at 11:35 am | permalink |
Congratulations and best wishes. The four of you make a truly lovely picture!
Posted by Kim on April 20, 2010 at 11:40 am | permalink |
Thank you so much for sharing these pictures with your community of friends. It is funny, but I thought about you on Saturday, paused to hope you were having a beautiful wedding, we have never met, but yet you make a difference in my life – in all our lives!
I love the picture of the four of you, everyone looks so happy. Thanks again for sharing such a personal moment with us, it means a lot.
Posted by Mary Budge on April 20, 2010 at 11:42 am | permalink |
I am very very happy for you, and happy just in the reading of this post.
Posted by LPC on April 20, 2010 at 11:43 am | permalink |
I love a happy beginning… I wish you all the best love can bring with the farmer and your beautiful sons. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by Chris on April 20, 2010 at 11:43 am | permalink |
congrats Penelope. Everything looks and sounds lovely. Thank you for sharing your joyous day with us.
z
Posted by zoe on April 20, 2010 at 11:43 am | permalink |
Congrats! I wish years of love and laughter for the four of you. Thanks for sharing your special day with us.
Posted by Toni on April 20, 2010 at 11:44 am | permalink |
Congratulations! Wishing you much happiness, contentment and love!
Posted by Julie on April 20, 2010 at 11:45 am | permalink |
Congrats. You all give me hope for me and my son.
Posted by Anna on April 20, 2010 at 11:47 am | permalink |
I'm not sure the farmer will appreciate your sharing the photos but I sure did. Thanks for letting your readers share in your happiness. I wish you continued happiness, adventure and new learnings.
Posted by Debbie on April 20, 2010 at 11:52 am | permalink |
Beautiful. Congratulations!
Posted by Anjali on April 20, 2010 at 11:56 am | permalink |
I am so happy for you!!!!
Posted by Katharine Alexander on April 20, 2010 at 11:57 am | permalink |
Congratulations Penelope, The Farmer and The Boys!!! Thank you so much for the pictures and sharing your sunshine with us! May you always find the sunshine even during dark, rainy and cloudy days ahead – especially here in Wisconsin.
Posted by Stacey Kannenberg on April 20, 2010 at 12:00 pm | permalink |
I'm really just so happy reading and seeing this post. Life isn't a straight shot. The curvy parts can be so good.
Enjoy them.
Posted by Cesca on April 20, 2010 at 12:03 pm | permalink |
Thanks so much, everyone, for all these sweet comments. Everyone's happiness makes me excited. And, honestly, I am so happy with myself for getting myself to a place that is good for me, and the boys, and the farmer. Thank you for sharing my happiness with me.
Penelope
Posted by Penelope Trunk on April 20, 2010 at 12:04 pm | permalink |
where are your rain/mud/farm boots?!:) fabulous wedding day story and all the best to all of you.
Posted by Mel on April 20, 2010 at 12:06 pm | permalink |
Have only been following your blog and writing for the past couple months and never actually knew that the posts about "the farmer" were non-fiction, lol.
Anyways, tha
Posted by Tanner on April 20, 2010 at 12:09 pm | permalink |
that is what a wedding should be like.
Congratulations and it looks like you got a healthy and great looking family!
Posted by Tanner on April 20, 2010 at 12:09 pm | permalink |