CHAPTER 22— WEDDING

12 DECEMBER 1856

Weeks have flown by, and I am finally writing about Rufus and Mattie’s nuptials. It is a blur now, as if it happened in a dream. I was so caught up in the endless preparations that I barely had time to breathe, let alone weigh my feelings.

The wedding was breathtaking. But as I stood at the back of the sanctuary, giving my son a kiss on the cheek and wishing him well, my heart was torn between joy and sadness. I should be happy for him, and of course, part of me is. But I fear things will never be the same between us.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the Methodist church in Prattville where the bride and her family are members, I took my seat in the sanctuary. The flickering candlelight added warmth to the holy space. 

Rufus stood tall and composed at the altar. Beside him, dressed in a gown of ivory silk and lace, was Mattie, the youngest of seven siblings, looking radiant with her youthful innocence. Her eyes twinkled with a mix of excitement and nerves, mirroring my own feelings.

The comforting aroma of candles mingled with the sweet scent of flowers adorning the altar and pews. I felt a lump form in my throat as the angelic voices of the choir echoed through the sanctuary. The music was powerful and all-encompassing, almost as if it were embracing the couple and blessing their union with its celestial melodies.

I watched with a mixture of pride and trepidation as Rufus exchanged vows with Mattie, their voices blending in a solemn promise of fidelity and devotion. Each word they spoke was like a delicate thread, weaving together a tapestry of their future lives.

Tears welled up in my eyes as Rufus and Mattie sealed their union with a tender embrace. A new chapter had begun for our family, one filled with promise, growth, and the enduring strength of love.

As the couple walked down the aisle, their hands entwined, I felt peace. In the quiet of the church, illuminated by the soft glow of candlelight, I offered a silent prayer for their happiness and a future overflowing with blessings and prosperity.

#

Rufus and Mattie left for a European honeymoon right after the wedding, their excitement palpable as they boarded the steamer on the Black Warrior, bound for Mobile where they caught a ship. By convincing the new bride to leave without returning to Greensboro, we spared her the heartache of seeing the house in an unfinished state. The walls were still bare timber and the roof only half-shingled. Joe estimated he could get it ready enough by Christmas, allowing the couple to return just in time for a holiday celebration in their new home, should they choose to host one.

It is an excellent thing that Joe and my husband hired two young workers, apprentices eager to prove their worth. Their added hands sped up the work considerably. George, who is more capable than Ishmael when building houses, has been invaluable. And then there is Alex, who takes on the heaviest tasks with a tireless spirit. Without these men, I feared the abode would have remained a skeleton well into the new year.

We were quite surprised when the couple returned just yesterday, almost a week early! They arrived unannounced, their faces glowing with the warmth of their travels and the joy of being back in familiar surroundings. The house, though not complete, is in a state that allows them to imagine their future within its walls.

“Oh, Mrs. LeBois, I could not bear being absent from my new home! There were so many preparations I needed to oversee, and everywhere I went, I found endless inspiration that I wished to incorporate into our house.”

Rufus chuckled, though I could see a hint of weariness in his eyes. “And she discovered countless objects she could not do without. Good thing I saved many years to afford it!”

Miss Mattie waved a dismissive hand at him. “Oh, shush, dearest. My inheritance is more than enough to cover each acquisition.” With a playful yet determined glint in her eye, she added, “Besides, a home is an investment in our future. Every piece has a purpose and a place. You will see.”

My son sighed and kissed her on the forehead. “I am sure you are right, my love.”

I could not help but notice how their dynamic was already taking shape, with Mattie’s assertiveness and Rufus’s accommodating nature balancing each other.

Though now only eighteen, Mrs. LeBois’ disciplined upbringing is serving her well. I met her mother, Mrs. Nancy Slayden, at the wedding, and it was at once clear where Mattie inherited her traits. Mrs. Slayden is well-educated, having attended an academy known for excellence. They are a formidable family, and rather than being shy in the face of her mother’s domineering spirit, Miss Mattie has learned to stand up not only for herself, but for others who cannot or do not speak for themselves. 

I recall a particular story that Will shared with Rufus about their family and their servants, one that illustrates the environment in which Mattie matured. When leaving for Emory, Mrs. Slayden told her son, “Bring home the highest marks, and you shall have a gold watch. But fail to do so, it will be a whipping that you shall get!”

Not knowing whether Mrs. Slayden’s rare sense of humor was in play, or whether the unpredictable part of her nature was coming to the fore, Will’s and Mattie’s nursemaid, Lucy, spoke up, elbowing Will and grinning as she did so.

“Why fo’ sho’ bes’ have that watch ready for him!”

“Why, you impertinent…”

“Ma,” little Mattie piped up, “Lucy is just so proud of Will she could not help herself. I am certain she thought you were joking. She meant no harm. The Bible says, ‘A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger,’” she quoted, her youthful voice filled with conviction.

Mrs. Slayden’s stern expression softened at her daughter’s words. She looked from Mattie to Lucy, then back to Will. After a moment of tense silence, she spoke.

“Very well,” she said, her voice measured. “I suppose I may have been... harsh in my words. Will, I expect you to do your absolute best at Emory. That is all I ask.”

Lucy relaxed, offering a grateful smile. Even at a tender age, Mattie had the ability to defuse a tense situation with grace and scripture. Her strength of character and ability to navigate complex social relationships will serve her well. 

As she directed the placement of furniture in their home, I observed that same determination and attention to detail that had characterized her mother. It was as if she were a young general, leading her troops with both authority and compassion. “The settee should go by the window, where the light is best for reading. And please be careful with that vase - it is hand-painted Limoges.”

And yet, as I watched Mattie take charge of her new home with such confidence and grace, I felt pride in the capable young woman who had joined our family. But no longer would I be the primary woman in his life, the one he turned to first for comfort or advice.