Cary and Laurel had actually been married for over a year by the time of this wedding celebration, but due to the fact that Laurel had been doing her medical doctor residency in San Antonio, they put off the formal ceremony until she finished.
The formal wedding and subsequent reception was held at the Hoffmann Ranch in Cartroville, San Antonio on November 10, 2024 with goodly numbers of both Cary’s and Laurel’s family and friends in attendance.
The party was a fabulous affair, hosted by Laurel’s father, Chuck (?), with a lovely ceremony followed by a fantastic meal, and all-afternoon-and-eveninng open bar, and dancing.
The celebrants made an absolutely beautiful couple, and all seemed to have a fabulous time.
I was privileged to relay to Cary and Laurel, one of my favorite stories about Cary, and one which warms my heart toward him every time I think about it:
When Cary and his brother were about 9 and 7 years old respectively, they used to love being taken to the REI sports outfitter store about two blocks from their home.
On one such outing, upon arriving at REI, Cary asked me if he could go to look at compasses. I told him to go ahead and we would catch up later.
In just a few minutes, Cary came back holding a compass, he said with lust in his eyes and his voice, “I really NEED one of these!!!”.
It being just after Thanksgiving, I said that if he were patient, Santa might bring him one for Christmas, and he walked off dejected to put the compass back.
On Christmas, he tore open his gift from me, and looking at it said, “Uncle Willie, this is ALMOST the best Christmas present I ever got!"
When I responded, "Pray tell, what is the best?” he said with a look and a tone of total incredulity, “YOU KNOW, LOVE!"
I hope both he and Laurel carry this idea forward into the years of their marriage.
