I was sitting in the living room at my grandparents house in Indianapolis. My Gramma, my Ma and all the old ladies in my family were sitting at the dining room table. Some of those old ladies were nun’s.
Nuns were everywhere in my youth. They were at school and they were at my Gramma’s. I couldn’t get away from nuns. These nuns at my Gramma’s were my great aunts.
The conversation was centered on Barbie’s new boyfriend, Chris.
Barb and Chris met at the apartment complex that they lived at in the early 1970’s, The Jade North. Barb was my mom’s baby sister and we always did fun stuff together.
Though Aunt B did lose me one time at the Indianapolis Zoo when I was four. I was safe and sound with the elephants when they finally found me.
Barb and Chris were the complete opposite of my mom and dad. They laughed, they talked and they held hands. They took me to the pool at Jade North. They took me to Farrell’s ice cream parlor and they took me to play tennis.
Chris made me my first cocktail before I had my first communion. He got me hooked with his famous Shirley Temple. He used the finest 7up and most syrupy grenadine known to man. He always had a sword for the cherries. This guy had his own swords…. Winning!
Chris McEvoy was still earning approval from Gramma and all of my great aunties… but he was already a rock star in my book and well prepared to become my uncle.
Then the day came and my parents stuck me in the back of the station wagon and we drove down I-65.
I’ve talked before about my dislike for church pants. Those polyester trousers from the ‘70’s with the little belt sewn in and the tiny metal clasp. My hip hop thighs rubbing together in itchy plastic material did not make for a comfortable fit.
But I put them on and we went to Christ the King for the marriage of Barbara Zoellner and Christopher McEvoy.
Aunt B and Uncle Chris became a solid fixture in my life on this day fifty years ago. Sure they made it through fifty years of marriage, but for me… they have been a consistent example of how a husband and wife should be.
Soon after their marriage, my parents divorced and Barb and Chris were there for my Ma and her loud mouth son with the Chicago accent.
The only time Chris got pissed at me was when I would drop a “deaze” and “doze” in front of him.
Most of the family that attended the wedding fifty years ago are in heaven. I’m one of the last remaining witnesses to those long lasting vows.
Barb and Chris are going to renew their marriage today. The wedding is at the retirement home where Cool Hand Chris is living these days.
The one consistent thing in my life has been my Aunt Barb and Uncle Chris. Happy Anniversary you two love birds.
If any of my Hoosier friends want to crash the ceremony…
…it is at the Wellbrooks of Carmel Health Center at 13315 N Pennsylvania Street in Carmel Indiana. It starts at 2pm with the last Shirley Temple being served at 4pm.
Tell them their crazy nephew sent ya!
Back in Chicagoland we have the annual Spring Fling going on in Riverside. Out in Lemont, the Chicago Blaze take the pitch against The Southside Irish.
The last Saturday of April will be perfect for a wedding, a garage band and a rugby match.
Go be astonished and know that love will keep us together.
