Das Boot

This past weekend Jeb and I attended a wedding for my cousin Matt (and his new bride Kim) in Kansas City. As all "Hoffmann weddings" go, we celebrated in grand style while incorporating some family traditions. Let me share a few with you:

1) When the song We Are Family is played everyone is expected to take the dance floor. No excuses, no exemptions. By the end of the song most non-family has abandoned the dance floor (I don't blame them, that's a lot of big ass flying around!).

2) As is the case in classy weddings, during the reception and meal it is not uncommon to see things flying from table to table. How else would be entertain ourselves?

3) This may be custom at other weddings, too, but the "Hoffmann guys" often find themselves dancing naughty around the bride with some clothes being shed for the enjoyment of others. Maybe enjoyment is overstated.

4) Perhaps the biggest "new tradition" is the fact that, at some point during "open bar hours," a large glass boot is filled with 7-Up and Seagram's (in honor of our Grandfather) and is passed around for all to enjoy. Like the chalice at mass, this is the communal cup of offering (Orthodox friends, don't get fired up, the analogy breaks down in several areas, rest assured). Anyone can partake as long as you remember to: a) never put the boot back down once it is picked up, b) take a hearty sip, and c) flick the glass boot before passing. Around it goes, for as long as it's full! This is one way to honor our German heritage. It doesn't hurt that the "honoring of heritage" moves the party right along, either.

The party did move - on and on. Some family members did the "after party," or in this case the "after wedding reception" in a hotel suite on the 14th floor. I am old of course (turning 30 in two weeks!) so needed some rest. As a friend of mine said when she was 22 - I just can't take it like I use to. Inside joke aside, it's true for me at 30. Don't worry, friends, as I got plenty of dancing and drinking in as the DJ mixed all night (this may be shocking to some, but I could have done without the half hour Madonna medley).

Medley or not, we had fun. We're a unique family that enjoys having fun together. Our "traditions" testify to this fact. We're mindful, too, that we do all this in celebration of and acknowledgment around Matt & Kim's love to and for each other, and the fact that they'll, too, be joining in future family traditions.

Some pictures from the night ...