Parades and Weddings: More Signs of these Strange Times

In our current world of repeating the same schedule day after day, we had an unusual morning with two unique events on the calendar that really set this day apart from the rest of the days this week.  First off, the teachers and staff from our children's school participated in car parade where they followed a route of designated stops throughout most of the neighborhoods in our school boundaries.  Since our kids are waivered into their school, we asked if we could wait at one of the stops in our friends' neighborhood just two minutes from our house.  The kids were so excited to make signs this morning and to see their teachers.  We got to the stop a few minutes early and enjoyed talking to the two other families who we are good friends with from a safe six feet away.  Within a matter of minutes, a parade of cars led by a policeman (who is actually the husband of Logan's 1st grade teacher) turned the corner and drove into the neighborhood.  All of the cars were honking and most of them were decorated with streamers, floaties, signs, and other paraphernalia.  It was so fun to see everyone after a five week break!  I had no idea how much I had missed the staff of my kids' school and that overall feeling of community.  After several cars drove past us there was a break due to the second half of the parade getting separated by a red light.  However, after waiting several more minutes, the second half of the cars (including both Lia's and Logan's teachers) never drove by.  We quickly realized that they had missed our stop while driving through our the neighborhood.  So all three moms decided to hop in our cars with our kids and chase down the parade in another neighborhood later on in the route.  After getting situated on another street corner with all of our children, we only had to wait a few minutes before we heard the sirens of the police car in the distance.  Within a minute or two, the entire parade drove by us.  It was so fun to get to see everyone this time around--especially the two teachers who we had missed at the previous stop.  Although Lia's teacher just waived and drove by, Logan's teacher, Mr. Strand, actually slowed down and said 'hello' to Logan before driving on.  Seeing his wonderful teacher do this almost made me start crying.  I have loved Logan being in Mr. Strand's class this year and have really felt bad about him missing out on three months of school with him.  I was just so grateful that his teacher took the time to slow down and give him a personal greeting like that.  Oh, this quarantine business really is tough stuff at times!

Logan, Ella, and Lia all holding up their signs for their teachers at our 'first stop.'

Lia's good friend, Sienna, standing with her family.

Lia's other good friend, Mollie, with her mom and sister.  Since they live right up the hill from us and are also waivered into the school, they drove down to watch the parade with us.

The kids and me.

The police car leading the parade.

One of the teachers standing through the sun roof of her car.

The kids watching the parade of cars drive up the hill at our 'second stop' of the parade.

All three kids with the parade of cars in the background.

Logan's teacher driving by with a large Orca whale and dolphin floaties sticking out of the top of his car.

Lia's third grade teacher, Ms. Mitchell, driving by.

Another teacher driving by in her car decked out with streamers and lanterns.

After the parade was over, we had to dash back home in time to watch Spencer's wedding on Google Meets on my phone.  One of the saddest parts of this pandemic was having to cancel our trip to Utah to be a part of Spencer's wedding.  Since Spencer is the first grandchild on my side of the family, I have always been super close to him.  I was 21 years old when he was born and so I spent the first ten years of his life as an involved aunt before I started having children of my own.  And even after I had Lia and the rest of my kids, we remained really close since Spencer has always been such a well-behaved and nice boy, teenager, and young adult.  I just adore him and was so looking forward to attending his wedding in the Oquirrh Hills Temple and his reception in Salt Lake City later that day.  Plus, I was also looking forward to going back to Utah for the first time in 10.5 years with my family to stay with my dear friend, Sarah, in her mountainside house walking distance from the Sundance Ski Resort.  I was also so excited to show my children BYU and Temple Square and to see a few other friends in Utah that I haven't seen in years.  But, alas, the wedding was cancelled due to the closing down of all of the LDS temples and the reception was cancelled due to the restriction on groups of more than ten people being allowed in Utah.  As a result, my nephew and his fiance decided to just go ahead and get married in a small and very short civil ceremony on the grounds of the SLC capital yesterday.  Since Spencer's uncle, Jared, is currently a bishop in his ward in Boise, he was able to get last minute permission from the First Presidency to marry Spencer and Hannah which made the ceremony a little more special being performed by a family member.  At 12:05 our time, we gathered around my phone in the kitchen to watch Spencer's wedding through Susie's phone.  As sad as we were to not be there, we were all just grateful to be able to watch him get married "live."

Spencer and Hannah kissing at the end of the wedding ceremony!

The happy couple raising their hands and cheering.  I am sure that they were just so relieved to get married after such a rocky and stressful engagement.  Congrats, Spence!  We are so happy for the two of you!