Thursday, April 28, 2011

Three times is the Charm! Getting Married # 2

I had my wedding dress…
It was gorgeous…
It didn’t fit anymore… I was too skinny.

We were done with the first full month of chemo and into our three times a week for 48 weeks "period", and yes, I had survived so far. I also survived the surgeries and yes, I even survived the fact that we cut my hair (all that was left of it) and I found out that I was more vain then I ever thought I was going to be about the whole hair thing.

Apparently losing your hair doesn’t seem too bad until it is gone… And yes, every Sunday Bastiaan would drive me to the farm so I could do the payroll for our boys who so desperately with him, my parents and my brother were trying to run the dairy…

We didn’t even think about the wedding that we were supposed to have in July…We were in FULL SURVIVOR mode.

Our Catholic priest was also in full survivor mode.


On our way to Ohio is a beautiful church. Exactly like we have them in Holland (big, old and tall) and as soon as Bastiaan had asked me to marry him I told him I would love to get married in that particular church. We only had one little problem…. Bastiaan was not raised Catholic…

We met with the priest and explained that we would love to get married in his church and join his parochial. He told us getting married there would be all right if we went to a “marriage session” and he had to ask the bishop. Of course we also would have to go to church every Sunday and raise our “soon to be” kids Catholic… The session is a whole blog post on its own, trust me…

We went to church, went to the session and got to know the priest a bit better. After we got the "news" he came over to our house and we had an ointment for the sick and he told us he would be back and check up on me.

On a particular Tuesday, don’t ask me what Tuesday cause I really don’t know, he told us he would come by and we needed to have my mom and dad present. I had no idea what he was coming to do. I just knew I had to keep my Big Mac down that I had the day before after my nice shot of chemo, and focussing on keeping my body still (from trembling uncontrollably) and try not to fall asleep. That was all I could focus on. I asked Bastiaan what the priest was coming to do, but he had no idea either. We finally came to the conclusion maybe he wanted to do another ointment of the sick???

But that was not what he came to do…

He arrived with a briefcase, candles, ointment and a booklet. It just didn’t make sense to us.

I was wearing my oldest, and I mean OLDEST, sweater and maybe (I cant be completely sure) I wasn’t even wearing a bra!?! Bastiaan was wearing his favorite (I don’t wanna come out, cow poopie stained) jeans on and mom a dad just arrived from the dairy so they didn’t think about dressing up either. The priest looked a bit confused by our appearances but didn’t say a word.


We all sat down on our couch and he took out all his instruments, lighted the candles and put on his nice “thingy that he wears around his neck” cloak dress. Bastiaan was just looking at my mom and dad and I was just in THE "chemo" zone…

He preformed the ointment for the sick and steamed, and yes I mean STEAMED, like a STEAMBOAT that can’t stop, into: “do you Bastiaan Meewis Oostdijck take Leontien Martina Francina Wilhelmina Maria van de Laar to be your wife?”

“WHAT???!!!”

“Oh no no NO…. You can’t marry us in these clothes, on our couch, without anybody knowing, in poopie stained jeans, without family and friends, ON OUR COUCH!!!”

Bastiaan said “I do”. And so did I. My mom and dad signed the papers he had brought.

I puked and went to bed.
Bastiaan let the priest out.
Mom and dad called my brother (it was too late to call my sister and Bastiaan’s parents in The Netherlands) and went to work at the farm.

Bastiaan and I talked about that day a lot. We figured the priest thought I was in such bad shape (and yes he probably was right), I might join the Good Lord soon, so he better marry us while he could so at least we would be joined together in front of God.


But what this priest did not know is that I am stubborn. As in very, very stubborn. And I wanted to marry my love the right way. In a church. In a white dress that I already had for 6 months. In front of our family. In the presence of our friends. And defiantly DEFINATLY NOT on our own couch!

Bastiaan and I decided to kick this whole cancer thing even harder in the butt so we could do it the proper way.

But with another priest.

All we had to do was fix me…

Next Monday, Yes, THE THIRTH TIME IS THE CHARM!!!


...

44 comments:

MadSnapper said...

i am loving this story and can't wait for the 3rd time is the charm. you are a super wonderful survivor and so are all your family. it is my belief you were married the first time and if you had died it would not make one iota of difference to God. you were joined together and said your vows in the courthouse the first time and the rest is wondeful for you, bug God knew you were married a long time before the priest did.

LBB said...

You are such a survivor & can't imagine all that you and your family when through. What a way to get married!! You paint a great picture with your stories!! Can't wait for #3!! :)

Nancy said...

To be honest, I love the ceremony you just described! We were married in Vegas -- in our jeans and t-shirts. :)

Nicole @ Two and Two is 4 said...

Wow....I can't believe he married you on your couch and didn't tell you before he came over and did it! I can't wait to hear the rest!!!

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

I've started catching up on my blog reading and am starting with your posts--I'm loving this story!!!

Unknown said...

I'm the Methodist in this Catholic family. The girls go to a Catholic elementary school and are being raised Catholic just like their daddy. I just posted about this for tomorrow because our oldest is making her First Communion this Sunday. The Catholic church has come a long way in accepting marriages where both are not Catholic. By all the volunteering I do for the church and school, I just might become Catholic through the back door ;-) Just kidding.

Love the idea of the second marriage. Maybe the priest gave you the kick in the pants you needed to see beat cancer so you could live happily ever after. I am glad there is a white dress at the end of this story though. Every girl should have her walk down the isle.

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

I love your wedding sagas!

TexWisGirl said...

oh my word!! i was raised catholic and know too well how priests think they know best about your life and what you SHOULD do. UGH! oh, i'd have been mad! you were probably so surprised you just said your "I dos" to get it over with!

Larkrise garden girl said...

That is a story nobody can duplicate. Leontien you tell your Life story with such courage and humor. I am catholic and the priest not waiting for Bastiaan to convert to catholicism,not having you go through pre marriage classes speaks volumes what he perceived was going on with your health. Determination will get you through Life and you Leontien have it! Waiting for the next chapter. Hugs Cheri

Julia said...

What a great story. I'm Catholic and a survivor too. I was told that I would probably die and I accepted it and said, Lord if you want me, I'm ready but if you want me later, then please I'm ready to heal. I received a mastectomy on Dec 19, 2002.

Looking forward to the third episode. JB

LindaG said...

*hugs* ♥
Whose couch would you have rathered? ;-)

Nancy Grossi ~ Churned In Cali ~ The Wife of a Dairyman said...

What a surprise! Looking forward to the third time:)

duchess_declutter said...

I'm only just jumping in on your journey and looking forward to reading the older posts. Great post! My husband is a cancer survivor.

Ott, A. said...

What an amazing story of strength you are sharing!!!

Lisa Weidknecht said...

Hi. I hopped here on Nicole's Random Blog Hop, am following you via GFC, and hope you'll come follow me at Planet Weidknecht!

Unknown said...

You have such an amazing story! I'm so glad you're willing to share it with us! Looking forward to the next installment :)

Sharon said...

I am sorry that you were so sick from the chemo. That was so much for you to go through... but I never in my life heard such a hilarious tale of a wedding in my life! Saying "I do" and then tossing your burger, oh, I am so sorry, I can't hold back the tears! I shan't forget this, I may forget breakfast - um, I have already, but this should "stick"!

BigD said...

Good story!
By the way, how did you get such a long name?

Donna said...

Well, you ARE a wonderful survvor, and a good sport (going through all THAT??!?) but you are alos an amazing writer!! I love reading what you wrtie and can't wait to read the next installment!!

Samantha said...

I can't wait to read the 3rd installment. You two deserve at LEAST three weddings..all that love! :)

Donna @ The House on the Corner said...

What a story!!!

Can't wait to hear the rest!

Kritter Keeper at Farm Tails said...

what a great post, i read extremely fast so i could get to the end, just like a kid!

Michaele said...

I love your stories and how you can make them funny even when they weren't. I haven't had cancer, but i have felt like throwing up after I said "I do".

Dawson Cattle Company said...

you rock! what a great story. i keep hoping for the next one to come quickly, i cant stand the suspense. love the kitten too. thanks for visiting us and commenting. :)

Unknown said...

Love hearing your love and wedding story... can't wait to hear about #3 :)

Leah Beyer said...

OK, this is a little bit funny to this Lutheran gal. At least he didn't come to cast demons out of you!! Love that you are telling us about all of your "I do's"!

Buttons Thoughts said...

I love your stories and this one is one of the best. Third is the charm indeed. I married a Catholic boy myself so I understand the whole process. Good for you I know you are the strongest person I know. Can't wait to read more.I laughed I cried I laughed while crying you are an amazing story teller. B

Megan said...

You seems like such a strong woman!! And quite a fighter and surviver :)

Looking forward to reading more!

Out on the prairie said...

A very nice story to share. When I got married along the Mississippi River on a bluff the pastor was surprised to see me dressed up, he said he thought I would be in fishing clothes.

Jill said...

Wow. I bet you were surprised when the priest started the ceremony. I don't know what I would have done. Can't wait to hear more!

Teresa said...

That is quite the wedding story. I guess three times to the right guy is better than once to the wrong one. Hope you finally got your beautiful church wedding.

Unknown said...

Great story, but why another Priest?
Love the photos.

Lauren said...

Wow! Your story is amazing. I don't blame you. I would most definitely not be satisfied with the couch!

I am thinking at our 10 year of a nice beach vow renewal... oh sun and waves and a sexy country man on the beach. ;)

Kim said...

Oh my! This shoud be a movie.

bon bon said...

whaa?! this is just crazy! i feel SO bad for you being that sick, but couldn't help but laugh when you said "I puked and went to bed."

Wicked Chef # 1 - Linds said...

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http://memoirs-of-2-wicked-chefs.blogspot.com/

Tammy said...

Good for you! Cann't wait to hear about the 3rd time :-)

Miller Racing Family said...

What a beautiful story. I can't wait to hear more.
Blessings!

TJ @ MeasuringFlower.com said...

Wow! That's an amazing story! :-) Congratulations! :-D I will be praying for you! I am a new follower from the blog hop. :-) Have a great day! www.MeasuringFlower.com

Summer said...

Great blog!
I'm your newest GFC follower.
Come check out my blog when you get the chance:
Carolina Summer

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

WoW, the priest came to your farm to marry you! Heeehehe! I thought he was just gonna anoint ya with oil.

What you and your family have gone through is simply amazin' and glorious. I for one am very thankful for your stubbornness!

God bless ya sweetie and have a glorious day! :o)

Unknown said...

too, too funny! :)

Katie Olthoff said...

Is that really your whole name?!?! I love it!

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