Lucky Number Three

So I returned from attending my cousin's wedding in Waco with a story. As soon as it happened I thought to myself, "Blog-worthy!" Yes, it is a bouquet toss story.

Photo courtesy of Wink Photography

There are some things that you may find to be important background information. Firstly, I attend a lot of weddings. Heaps of them. Sometimes I plan, sometimes I simply attend, sometimes I participate. The only consistent wedding tradition I do take part in is the bouquet toss. Boy do I make those girls work for that symbolic flower arrangement, because even though I caught the last two in a row it still hasn't happened for me. I grow more ruthless with each wedding. I'm a freaking beast with these semi-promising traditions.


So for this wedding I put my game face on and started to limber up. I began with subtle arm stretches then moved on to Rocky style boxing warm ups, just in case someone was ignorant enough to leap in front of me. I hope to one day have a reputation at these events. Everyone around me was amused by my preparations, so I explained that I had caught the bouquet at the last two weddings that I had attended and intended on making it three to heighten the odds. My explanation was cut off as the girls started to walk to the center of the floor. I cracked my neck, focused, then joined gathering behind the bride. 

Wahahahaha! Suckers!

As my cousin was being handed her flowers, a subtle chant began to develop. I looked over to find that my aunt, uncle, and a few others were looking in my direction. As the chant grew louder, I realized that it was for me.

"Alaska, Alaska, ALASKA, ALASKA!"

With my own personal cheerleading squad as my backbone, I caught the damn thing, even after my Dad leaped in for a last minute interception. It was too easy, and I was amused by my Dad's distaste in my participation. My cousin may as well had just handed me the bouquet and dismissed the other girls to their seats. I bowed as the applause erupted, then walked triumphantly back to my seat. "Why were you all chanting Alaska?" I asked. My aunt smiled. "Because I envy you! If you catch the bouquet, that means that you are next to be married. If you get hitched in Alaska, that gives me an excuse to go!" For the first time, I felt like my relationship was being encouraged. That made my night.

Later on, the bride approached me and said, "I just want to let you know that my lucky number is three. So if this is your third bouquet in a row, then maybe it will be lucky for you too!" As my Dad brooded behind me at the prospect of me being the next in line to get hitched, everyone else nudged me playfully and laughed. Perhaps it was because my aunt and uncle had it out for my Dad, as their daughter was already one step ahead of me. May as well put a little fear in the man. But I was on cloud nine with the thought.