. . . And the day began . . .
June 12, 1999
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We all began to take pictures outside the wonderful The Lodge at McDonald's in Oak Brook, Illinois.
Charles learns a new trick and raises his eyebrow for nearly every photo. Here, Charles still can't believe that only two years to the day, minus two days, he met Katherine Elizabeth Bohlin at the Charleston in Chicago, Illinois. He had planned to spend the evening with his wonderful father, but fate would soon intervene. His brother Jason worked at the Charleston and had informed his two brothers of the bar's birthday celebration - which meant complimentary beer and food until dusk. Rick, planning to attend this event, attempted to persuade Charles to join him. However, Charles did not feel right about cancelling his plans. His mother, Anne, and Rick told him he should go spend the evening with his brothers (Charles lived in Indianapolis and happened to be in Chicago for the weekend). However, the oldest son resisted. No sooner had he resolved not to go, but his fortuitous father, Charles Sr., called and said, "Don't worry about dinner here. If you want to go to the bar, go ahead and have fun." And, he went.
Later that evening, he met Katherine . . . . .
And, to this day, he realizes his entire family helped him go to where fate would present him with the most beautiful woman in the world. Had it not been for any one of his family, he would not have met Katherine that evening.
So, Rick and Charles went to the Charleston, which happens to be one of the most wonderful small, neighborhood bars in the Chicago area. Imagine a bar where your pet canine is welcome and you can get mimosas or bloody mary's on Sunday mornings with a bagel. The day proceeded wonderfully. Free beverages and food. Charles happened to wear his new expensive sunglasses, Jacket, jeans and T-shirt. Yes, he thinks he looked good.
After evening had come and the complimentary items had faded away, he "hung out" with his brothers and friends. He nearly told a story to some of the locals when Jason came up, took him aside, and told him not to tell any stories. He didn't. We still laugh about that today.
In the night, he observed this beautiful woman sitting by herself near where the band played. He made eye contact, ordered a drink, and . . . went to ask his brothers and comrades what to do. They strenously told him to walk up to her and begin talking. So, without hesitation, Charles went and ordered another drink, made eye contact, and again sought advice. Some time later, he made it to the woman's table and asked, "May I sit here?" She replied, "Yes." And, to this day, he remembers the first thing he noticed when he sat down across from her: the beautiful brown eyes.
[two years minus two days pass]
We continued to take pictures outside . . . .
We then went inside because, despite our best efforts to control Mother Nature, it started to rain. However, with a bride as beautiful as Katherine, nothing in the world could prevent this day from being the best in the world.
(from l. to r.: back to front:
Mr. Bohlin (K's cousin), Rick Mudd (C's brother), Charles Mudd, Sr., George
Bohlin, David Chestney (C's uncle)
Jeff Kennedy (Chicago friend), The Groom, Dr. Ramsey Eric Ramsey (philosopher
friend and comrade)
Carl Bohlin (K's brother) and Jason Mudd (C's brother)
Three Proud Men
After a wonderful time seeing our friends and family, enjoying beautiful Spanish guitar music, and becomining nervous, the wedding began . . .
. . . I still remember seeing Katherine dressed so beatifully in her white wedding dress . . . I have never known a happier moment in my life . . . and that moment continues with me every day since then . . . if I see something she has done, her pictures, even something insignificant that reminds me of her, I smile and both remember our wedding day and realize how lucky I am on this day to be with such an incredibly, wonderful, beautiful, sensitive, funny, intelligent, wise, and above all else loving, woman . . .
. . . Not much more can be said. . . . we had made it our wedding and there will never be anything that shall ever separate our happiness and love in being together . . .
. . . The married couple, Mr. and Mrs. Mudd . . .
. . . the remaining Mudd Brothers, Rick and Holly Hansen - and - Jason and Carolyn Byrne
. . . Katherine's brother and sister-in-law, Carl and Janice Bohlin . . .
. . . two wonderful friends, Peggy Sharp and Dr. Ramsey Eric Ramsey, and the matron of honor with the best man, Kira Wilder and David Chestney . . .
then the receiving line, cocktails, dinner, and dancing . . .