An Upcoming Event: Sometimes We Have to Dance in the Wind

The wedding festivities for Meredith and Millie, scheduled to be in a remote, secluded church, meant a long drive through heavy traffic on a busy, holiday weekend. Everyone knew that getting there could be risky at best, but the place was perfect for a small wedding. The upcoming event had been many months in the planning.

Storm warnings had been posted for several days, but the bride and groom were not about to cancel their wedding simply because of inclement weather.

"I am so sorry, but I am the best man and you are the maid of honor," said Martin to his fiancé, Connie. He turned on the car radio. "We should have heeded the earlier storm warnings and I should never have insisted that we go to the wedding in spite of the weather."

"Stay home on this holiday weekend, folks," the radio blared repeatedly. "It is not a good idea to be out on the highway, unless you absolutely have to be."

The traffic was not moving when they reached the tollbooths on the highway, half an hour later.

"We aren't going anywhere and neither is anyone else now," said Connie, quietly.

"It appears that way."

People started leaving their cars and heading for the nearby restaurant. Martin and Connie decided to do the same thing, as there was no point in burning extra gas just to keep the car warm.

Inside the crowded restaurant, Connie was relieved when she spotted the bride-to-be Millie, who was almost in tears. She was with a couple of her younger cousins, who were going to be her bridesmaids.

"I am so sorry," said Connie to Millie. "These kinds of things are not supposed to happen when there is a wedding."

"Well, the most important people are here and this wedding cannot happen without us," said Martin, with a chuckle.

"But, where is my husband-to-be, Meredith?" asked Millie, looking around at the vast sea of faces.

"He decided to drive down with the minister and his wife," replied Martin. "I think he just wanted to talk to him about the wedding vows."

"More likely, fishing," replied Millie. "He may never forgive me for not showing up at the church tonight for the rehearsal."

"Don't worry about that," suggested Connie. "Life happens."

More and more people crammed into the restaurant, over the next few hours.

"Just go ahead and get comfortable, folks," the restaurant manager suggested to everyone. "You may be here for a long time. There is free coffee on the house for the duration."

A little while later, Millie heard Meredith's booming voice behind her. "Sometimes we have to dance in the wind." He took her hand and hugged her tight.

"Thank God, you are safe!" she whispered in his ear.

"Folks," the minister said to the huge crowd of people gathered in the restaurant, later that evening. "We have a happy, young couple who were on the way to their wedding. All we need is someone willing to give the bride away and we can hold the ceremony right here. Do I have a volunteer?"

The restaurant owner quickly volunteered his services.

"May I have this honor?" he asked the blushing bride.