Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar


Latest Post | Last 10 Posts | Archives


Previous Post: Protecting Wall Street, while exposing local employees
Next Post: Today’s number: $1.18 billion

The most romantic thing I’ve ever seen

Posted in:

* Dave Bakke

Remember the old joke about going to a boxing match and having a hockey game break out? Well, something like that happened last weekend in Springfield.

Marcus Lucas invited people to his house for a cookout. I know, stop the presses, right? But …

A couple of hours into the party, Marcus disappeared. He came back wearing a white suit. His girlfriend, Jackie Price, had changed from her Dallas Cowboy jersey into a white dress.

Oh, yeah, something was up. People went to a barbecue and a wedding broke out.

“It was the first ‘pop-up wedding’ I’ve ever seen,” Rich Miller, the Capitol Fax guru who was there, wrote via e-mail, “and so incredibly romantic. People have been wondering for years when the two would get married. But instead of eloping to Vegas or having an elaborate ceremony, they kept it low-key and so very personal by just throwing a little party and treating everyone to an incredibly happy surprise. Unlike a lot of weddings I’ve attended, I’ll never forget this one.”

I haven’t had the greatest summer, with the long and grinding overtime session and then my little health scare. But I tried my best to have a “normal” weekend starting Friday. I went to see Tom Irwin play a gig after work, then had a nice dinner at the lake. On Saturday, we went to Clayville for a folk festival and car show. I ran into my doctor near the beer stand and felt like I was being busted by my parents. Thankfully, I had a bottle of water in my hand and I proudly displayed it to my doc, who smiled and advised me to stick to red wine.

I went back home and rested for a while then remembered I’d been invited to Marcus’ party. I was hungry and wanted a glass of red wine (thanks, doc!) so we drove out there.

Marcus sprang the surprise shortly after we finished eating. I haven’t smiled that much since my surgery. The bummer summer dissolved completely away when it became clear that Marcus and Jackie were going to marry each other before our very eyes. It filled everyone’s heart with joy. How could it not?

I’m not sure if they realize it, but those two did their friends a wonderful favor by sharing their life reaffirming moment with us.

I’m actually still smiling about Saturday and I’ll never forget it.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 10:07 am

Comments

  1. No matter how many challenges forced upon us in life, it is our families, friends and love which makes it endurable.

    Yeah - it has been a horrible August, but then we made it out alive, didn’t we?

    Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 10:26 am

  2. Nice. And especially unselfish. Sort of a forced “no gift, but the most important gift of your presence” policy. May their love be forever and beyond.

    Comment by A guy Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 10:26 am

  3. Creative and sincere. Very special.

    Running into the doc at the beer stand is too funny.

    Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 10:29 am

  4. Nice story by Mr Bakke as well.

    Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 10:32 am

  5. What a blessing. Events like that remind that life is still beautiful and wondrous. Thanks for sharing that. Although I don’t know the couple or you personally, one can’t help but enjoy the coolness of a surprise wedding. That’s a great idea.

    Comment by Honeybear Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 10:33 am

  6. Great story…
    May try it for our sons:)
    Wow if you thought this summer sucked wait til next year……TeamBungle still trying to pass FY16 budget, lawyer and Munger jailed for contempt, and then the GOPies head to Cleveland to nominate Trump. Then the summer games in Brazil rather than Chicago. That sounds like a bummer.

    Comment by Anonin' Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 10:35 am

  7. What a great idea!!

    Comment by Downstate Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 10:40 am

  8. lovely bits in many directions in this story. be well, Rich!

    Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 10:42 am

  9. – Remember the old joke about going to a boxing match and having a hockey game break out?–

    With that lede, I was expecting a different story. Or it was some wild party.

    Anything that gets you out of a Dallas Cowboys jersey is a good thing. Mazeltov.

    Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 10:47 am

  10. Always good to be on the green side of the grass and hear about cool stories like this.

    Mr. Miller, you are blessed to have been a witness and to have that wonderful smile in your heart forever.

    Comment by cdog Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 10:51 am

  11. Mike Tyson did the same thing in 2011 with his current wife Kiki. Hundreds of guests were invited to what they thought was a joint birthday party for the couple at the M Hotel in Las Vegas. After some cocktails Tyson and his wife reappeared in tuxedo and wedding dress and took their vows in front of the astonished guests.

    Comment by anon Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 10:54 am

  12. Great story!

    And I am glad to hear that I have been doing at least one good thing for my health. I learned to appreciate the enjoyment of wine over a decade ago. Just remember, quality is not necessarily reflective of the price you pay. Enjoy and keep well!

    Comment by illini Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 11:03 am

  13. That story just warmed my heart and made the day go better!

    Are we allowed to inquire how you are feeling, Rich?

    Comment by Aldyth Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 11:22 am

  14. That’s just lovely. I do think low-key weddings are the best. Everyone can concentrate on celebrating, without worrying about what they’re wearing or what they’re giving. Not to mention the couple avoids getting into huge fights with their family, their wedding party, and each other.

    and, Rich? Don’t forget - dark chocolate is good for you, too, and pairs very well with red wine.

    Comment by JoanP Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 11:25 am

  15. Congratulations to the happy couple.

    I’ve never been fortunate enough to be a surprised guest to a wedding, but being able to share a day with a couple that surprised me would be a treat and an honor. Really cool way to share a moment with others.

    All the best to the newlyweds!

    Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 11:26 am

  16. Am I the only person who thinks they stole this idea from Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux?

    (I kid, I kid… Congrats!)

    Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 11:33 am

  17. Challenges in life are what makes us grow as individuals.

    Your health scare has brought you a new perspective, and that is a wonderful gift.

    Salud!!

    Comment by Loop Lady Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 12:02 pm

  18. Some advice for the groom that has been learned the hard way over 32 years of being married.

    1. Learn this adage. “Happy wife - Happy life”. Write it on your hand, look at it often and never forget it.

    2. Learn to say 2 - 2 word phrases. These are useful in many ways. You don’t have to say them together, you will have to learn when to say which one.
    a. I’m sorry
    b. Yes dear.

    3. Learn the three rules
    a. Your wife is always right.
    b. If your wife is wrong, see a.
    c. When in doubt, see a.

    There is a battle that you have to give up on immediately. Because if you don’t, you will learn what happens when you violate #1, you will be saying 2a for days. Just when you thought she has forgotten the incident, the incident will rear it’s ugly head. This is because you didn’t follow the 3 rules, especially 3a.

    All of this will be preceded by a yelp in the middle of the night. You will groggily awaken and say “Honey are you ok?”. You won’t hear the icy response “I’m fine” because you will have fallen back to sleep. The next thing you will be aware of is a punch in the head. Not knowing with is going on you will ask “What was that for?” to which your wife will answer “If you don’t know, I’m not going to tell you.”

    Now you are wondering what battle could possible set all of this in motion. So here is one last piece of advice - ALWAYS put the toilet seat down!

    Here is what happened - you went to the bathroom and forgot to put the toilet seat down. Your bride woke up and went to the bathroom, sat down and fell into the toilet.

    Thus you will experience the woes of an unhappy wife, you will be saying the 2 - 2 word phrases repeatedly all because you forgot the 3 rules.

    Best wishes for a long and happy marriage.

    Comment by Huh? Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 12:25 pm

  19. Adding to Huh?….

    Squeeze the toothpaste from the bottom.
    Leave the toilet seat down.
    Get caught doing housework once a month.
    When she’s really ticked, fill her car with gas.

    Comment by A guy Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 12:48 pm

  20. One more thing about the toilet. As a man’s man, when you need to use it at night….sit. It takes the whole aiming thing out of play and ensures the seat will remain down. In fact, don’t risk it…just sit for the rest of your married life.

    Comment by A guy Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 12:50 pm

  21. I have to admit, I did not know who Marcus Lucas was until I did a google search - retired MSgt from the ISP, same as my cousin.

    This had no bearing on my previous comments.

    Comment by illini Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 1:47 pm

  22. A Guy made me laugh out loud.

    Comment by Casual observer Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 2:15 pm

  23. That’s quite a surprise, I’m happy for them. :)

    Comment by Levois Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 2:18 pm

  24. Congrats to the new couple! I have known Marcus Lucas since 1999 when I worked at the State Police. Love the low key ceremony - wishing them many years of happiness. :)

    Comment by a girl Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 3:41 pm

  25. Stick to that doc’s orders!

    Comment by Boone's is Back Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 5:03 pm

Add a comment

Sorry, comments are closed at this time.

Previous Post: Protecting Wall Street, while exposing local employees
Next Post: Today’s number: $1.18 billion


Last 10 posts:

more Posts (Archives)

WordPress Mobile Edition available at alexking.org.

powered by WordPress.