I'll say this about the Baptists: they sure know how to economize on time for a wedding ceremony.

My son's wedding must have lasted all of 30 minutes last Saturday. No hymns. No vocal solos. I liked that.

Let's start at the beginning. I think it was Dale and Shirley Madison or Dave Lyle, who dared me to write about last weekend's events. Blame it on them.

A wedding is for all time and everybody to enjoy. Even if the Masters golf tournament is on television.

I liked the parents' vows my daughter-in-law included in the ceremony. Makes sense to me. Parents and the families they represent should support the couple through thick and thin.

I can't mention where this wedding was held for fear of being sued. Let me just say, it's a beautiful church.

It has a large fellowship hall that holds lots of tables and chairs. I know. I helped set up for the reception. Ol' One-Chair-At-A-Time-Bonorden got it done.

The groom's dinner was a pleasant event also. It was held at a place I can't mention for fear of being sued.

I sat by one of the groomsmen, who I can't mention for fear of being sued, and his date, who I can mention because she lives out of the area and doesn't get the Herald.

This groomsman -- we'll just call him "Todd" to protect his parents -- confessed he is "in love" with Becca, his date. I could have broken down and cried if the steak wasn't so good.

Man … I remember when these guys were little stud puppies, playing baseball and basketball. They're all grown up now. I wonder what it's like?

The best man is getting married this fall. Two other groomsmen are already married and one of the wives -- I was afraid to hug her -- is expecting twins.

My daughter and the grandchildren were present for the wedding. The oldest, De-De, was at the punch bowl and the next two, Quintin and Katie, handed out programs. The youngest two, Deontay and Serena, rolled around on the floor in the new clothes I bought. It looked tempting to me after being in a tuxedo.

I don't think I cried. I did sit when I was supposed to stand and had a little trouble negotiating the steep steps to the altar in the church.

The reception line was fun. My boy even invited his dentist. I mistook a friend for the president of Hormel Foods Corporation. Then, I thought the Governor of Iowa was there, but it turned out to be my best friend from childhood and his date.

My son is marrying into a great family, which I can't mention for fear of being sued.

Of course, my son's mother and his father bring some pretty nice people to this union, too. A couple of them might even qualify for the description "colorful" if you know what I mean.

The reception in the church basement was a blast. I hugged everyone within reach. In fact, I flattened my boutonniere with all that hugging and there's nothing more embarrassing than a limp boutonniere.

The grandchildren made themselves at home, eating all the peanuts and chocolates they could find and drinking out of the punch bowl when nobody was looking.

The chocolate fountain was a hit. My neighbor, Maydene, said so.

Adeline's grandson, Lee, was frequently mistaken for me. He's tall, dark, handsome and shy.

I would have liked to have talked to Mike and Alice and Herb and Jean and Elliot and Linda and Trish and Roger and Lana and my nephews and a hundred others, but it just wasn't possible.

Thank goodness my very own personal care attendant was there to keep me in line and remind me when I hugged too long.

My eyes can't see worth a darn, but my heart sees a lot of good coming from this relationship.

All the fathers and mothers who will watch their sons and daughters get married this summer, take my advice: hold them close and then let them go with love.

Oh, yeah … take off your boutonnieres before hugging the guests.

Lee Bonorden can be contacted at 434-2232 or by e-mail at :mailto:lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com