My wedding was as wonderful as I ever imagined. I don’t think anyone else will ever forget it, either!

Dad insisted on giving me away at the altar, even though the bride and groom usually enter the church together at Lebanese weddings. I guess it’s because I’m his only daughter and he wanted to play as big a part in my wedding as he possibly could.

I’ll never forget the look on Mike’s face after my relatives started clapping when I entered the church! I knew what to expect because they’ve done this at all of my brothers’ and cousins’ weddings, but it definitely caught Mike’s family by surprise. It really helped break the tension during the ceremony, though!

I think the entire city could hear all the cars honking as they drove from the church to the reception at my brother George’s restaurant. I was impressed with how well my brothers performed the sword dance Dad taught them so many years ago.

My aunts and sisters-in-law spent most of the reception telling all the unmarried women, “May your turn come!” I can’t count how many times people have said that to me after my brothers’ weddings! I know how relieved my nieces and cousins must have felt when it was time to throw the bouquet!

It was so much fun to watch Mike’s family learn how to dance the dabke and drink their first sips of arak. They said it was the most enjoyable – and loudest – wedding they’d ever attended!

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