The Ring Bear

We had another encounter with a bear this summer.

John Mark was what he continually referred to as the "Ring Bear" for our friends Mr. Chris and Miss Brittany's wedding this summer. This was a role that John Mark dreaded for much of the month leading up to it. To be such a little man that delights in being boistrous and loud, he is quite shy at times. He was very afraid of people seeing him and laughing at him.

For weeks I verbally coached him on what his job entailed. We talked of its importance. We talked about how he would be walking with our friend Addie, the flower girl. As he began to explain it, he was "going to walk Miss Brittany's earrings down the aisle."

Around the same time of the year, he had begun to set his sights on a sweet little gunslinger toy set at the store. The set was complete with a belt, two holsters and two shiny silver pistols. He began to want them for his birthday.

So when the groom, Mr. Chris, asked Mitch if there was anything special John Mark would enjoy as his wedding party gift, Mitch did not have to hesitate in his response.

We get fitted for his tux and John Mark delights in seeing himself in a big person suit but still clings to his reluctance to do this thing.

During rehearsal he is reluctant but does it like a champ. It helped that Dad was officiating the ceremony and waswaiting for him at the end of the aisle.

That night, John Mark receives his gift at the rehearsal dinner. He is elated, delighted, overjoyed. He loves his gun set. He sleeps with it that night.

Chris and Brittany, sensing John Mark's reluctance, say that it is perfectly fine if John Mark wears it at the wedding if it helps him. Mom vetos that idea with instant visions of the click/clack of shooting pistols during the ceremony dancing in her head.

The big day arrives and it is time to get dressed. After putting on his whole tux, complete with vest, cumberbund, tie, etc., John Mark wants nothing of it. He is afraid everyone will laugh at him.

He looked precious. I had to convince him that this was his wedding uniform. It helped to see Mitch and the other groomsmen wearing the same "get-up." I still had to do lots of fast talking though. Eventually it came down to explaining that if John Mark refused to do it, he would have to return the guns to Mr. Chris. (hey, what's a mom to do?! :))

After pictures are taken and guests arrive, John Mark is hot (as was everyone else in summer at Frost Chapel - those who know, understand) and not having anymore of it. When it is his time to walk down the aisle with our flower girl friend Addie, he starts crying won't do it.

So Wedding Planner Shannon sends Addie down the aisle by herself. I quickly pull John Mark away from the doorway. I quickly try to encourage and explain that this is his chance to overcome his fear and that he would be upset with himself for not doing it later and that if he doesn't do it he will have to give his guns back. I finally resort to "Do it for the guns John Mark. It's for the guns."

My little man wipes off his tears, composes himself, and Shannon sends him down the aisle. He walked the whole length with his fingers in his mouth and covering his eyes. When he gets near Mitch he makes a "Bee-line" for him and buries his head in Mitch's knees for a hug. He then makes his way to Vic the best man (pictured in photo above pic with Addie). Vic holds John Mark's hand throughout the whole ceremony (even having to reach for the ring in his opposite pocket with his other hand!). Thanks be to Vic.

He did great during the ceremony.

So Mommy let him wear his guns and holster with his tux during the entire reception.

Talk about your shot-gun weddings!