Somethings are Forever

By: Ben Brown

Cameras flashed, boutonnieres were pinned, and the sound of high heels echoed through the church.

The day had finally arrived for the young couple.

Justin Phibbs and Stacy Swagger Phibbs got married on Sept. 19, 2009 at Central United Methodist Church on the corner of 14^th and Porter Streets in Richmond.

Phibbs, the groom, looked at his best man and father, Allen Phibbs, and said, “I can’t believe it’s here. All this planning and it’s finally arrived. Hope we didn’t forget anything big.”

His cheeks raised up as he smiled.

Phibbs paced back in forth in his dressing room rehearsing his ‘Thanks for coming’ speech, his palms sweating and brow glistening.

The piped organ sent a hush over the congregation as the service started.

The old pews squeaked as people adjusted to find the most comfortable position.

“I do,” responded the bride.

“I do,” said the groom.

They were introduced for the first time as husband and wife at the reception that also was held at the church.

People clapped, yelled and others sniffled and remembered the young versions of these two newlyweds.

The groom’s aunt, Jane Clatterbuck, spoke through tears in her eyes. Her cheeks blazed red due to the showing of emotion. “I remember when Justin was just a little boy. He was such a sweetheart! He’s so lucky to have found a young lady that loves his so much.”

The father and mother of the bride, Eric and Julia Swagger, played double duty as parents of the bride and caterers.

Swagger pulled off his silver-framed-glasses and wiped the sweat off of his brow onto the forearm of his rental tuxedo shirt.

His raspy voice screamed of exhaustion as he said, “I wished we would have catered the wedding.” Swagger went on to tell of the trips he had taken all week to Food Lion then to Kroger and Ukrop’s and then back to Kroger in such of the ‘one last thing, honey.’

“I feel like I missed a good amount of the reception. I spent too much time worrying about food. I missed them cutting the cake and the bouquet toss,” Swagger said.

The efforts by the family pleased those in attendants. The food was a big hit.

Chris Gerardi, a guest at the wedding, spoke through the barbecue stains around his mouth, “The hot wings are good, but they sure are a mess aren’t they?”

Newport News resident, Tom Baynum chuckled through his response at Gerardi’s table. “I don’t care how much of a mess it is. I love pub grub at a wedding.” Baynum then tucked a napkin into his collar to protect his tie from the hot wing sauce.

The single ladies all gathered around the bride. They all faced her, but the bride’s back was to them. Suddenly, the bouquet of flowers flew up in the air.

Instead of fighting for the flowers like NFL wide-receivers, all of the ladies except one took a big step out from their circle.

The sister of the bride, Sandy Swagger, caught the bouquet. She smiled and looked at her boyfriend and waved. The audience laughed and whispered among themselves.

The boyfriend, Ben Brown, refused comment.