The Best of 2011 - the Best day of my life - July 23, 2011

While everyone has a list of "the best of 2011" - I only have one thing on the list and it overshadows every other day in my life.  Now don't get me wrong - I had a lot of great days and personal achievements this year...actually every year I have amazing and wonderful days - but July 23, 2011 was hands down the best day of my life.

July 23, 2011 was the day the light of my life - my son Ricky married Catherine.

 I knew it would be a wonderful day and as it unfolded I realized it was turning into something very special and I made sure I was present every moment and didn't take a second for granted.

It even made me happier when Ricky told me the wedding wildly exceeded what he dared hoped it would be.  With both the families and his life long friends all sharing in their magical day.


The couple
Catherine is the perfect match for Ricky.  From the beginning when Ricky talked about Catherine - I knew she was something special to him.  And tho personally I haven't spent much time with her - I know about her through Ricky.  So when they announced their engagement last year I breathed a sigh of relief that he wasn't going to let her get away!

Catherine looking stunning on her 30th birthday

And after spending the wedding weekend with them on that estate in upstate New York - i was able to witness how in sync they were and their love and devotion to each other.   A mother couldn't ask for more.

AND how could one doubt that they were meant to be together.  Catherine drew this picture when she was around 9 years old.  The groom in that drawing looks just like Ricky.

The families

I met Catherine's parents that weekend.  Without them - this magical day would not have been possible.  

Larry, Catherine, Marilyn

They contributed so much to making it happen.   It was really nice to meet them and they told me "Ricky stories" and talked about how much they loved him.  Catherine has a large family - 2 sisters(Megan & Colleen) and 2 brothers(Matt & Chris).   She's the youngest child.   Plus the Aunts, Uncles, cousins and family friends were in attendance.  Everyone I talked to had "Ricky stories" and they were talked about what a kind and good person Ricky is...I was filled with so much joy that day knowing how much Ricky is loved.

Colleen and Mega

As the sisters gave their toasts for the couple that both spoke of how not only was Ricky - now Catherine's husband - they also considered him a very good personal friend.

My Mom really made this weekend special too.  She made sure that every close family member made it to the wedding.  I know she did whatever she had to do (be it airfare, hotel room or rental cars) to make sure all my sisters and brother and their children attended this event.   Seriously - it made it all that more special to have all our close family members there and my Mom made it possible.

my Mom and Dad - Ricky's Grandparents

Daddy, Mom, Ricky, Catherine, me and Dave

uhh...the Ferrer sisters aren't all in one place very often - but maybe that's a good thing!  Kathy, Leticia, Patricia, me

The Friends

Marcus was Ricky's best man.  They have been friends since kindergarten.  The rest of his groomsmen are friends from High School and/or college.  All of his friends are amazing and fine young men in their own right.  As a young man of 30 years old - Ricky has lifelong friends.    I think that speaks a lot of his character.

ricky and marcus - BFF

Ricky's friends have all grown up to be fine young men

the Groomsmen looking stylish - actually I'm still slightly freaked out that the boys I remember from Ricky's childhood are now young men.  

Marcus gave a great toast to the couple.   He started off by saying "Our friendship is old enough to rent a car"  They have been friends for 25+ years.   Marcus had everyone rolling on the floor with laughter.   My only regret for that day is that toast was not recorded.  

The reception was so much fun.  Much dancing and merry making.  I had to call it quits at 12midnight - but I heard my 76 year old Mom outlasted pretty much everyone and was up until 1am.   that woman has stamina!!

The Venue

As I said - Catherine's parents made this special day possible.  They rented an estate for the weekend that slept 20 people so the immediate family members were all together for the weekend.   It was a beautiful location.

In the end

As a Mother - I could have not dreamed of better for Ricky. You hope you have provide an environment where your child can have a better life than you.  That's all I wanted for Ricky.  Now as a young adult he's grown into a kind and good person.  He career is his hobby (he's a graphic designer) and he is hard worker and always does his best.  He married his perfect match.  He lives in the city he always wanted to live in. (NYC) He is much loved by many people.  He's created a wonderful life for himself.

So, I find myself at a slightly odd space in life.  After Ricky went to college - I moved to Boulder, CO.  In the 10 years I've been here - my life is spent doing what I want to do whenever I want to do it.   I feel I live a "decadent" life.  No - it's not one of wild parties and unrestrained eating.  But one of riding my bike, or running or sleeping late when I want or eating breakfast at The Walnut or Turley's whenever I damn well please or even adding another pair of boots to my boot collection.

And in Boulder where so much revolves around personal accomplishments (not that I'm not immensely proud of my hard work and accomplishments around mtn biking) it feels so damn good that the best day in my life has nothing to do with me or something as frivolous as doing well in a mtn bike race.