Mazel Tov!!!!

Four years ago this past February we lost Scott’s dad, Jack Farber. Jack had such a strong presence in the family. He was Scott and Gary’s work patriarch as well as their father. His loss was felt so deeply, it always will be.

We all thought about it in one way or another, what would Ellen do now? It took time, but in June of 2010, Ellen and her most wonderful companion, Howard, became engaged. They planned the most elaborate wedding; bigger and more detailed than nearly any second marriage I had heard of before. Ellen, the joyful bride, at an age and point in life that one might just want a small wedding, opted to be a “real bride.” She wore an elegant gown, in ivory and insisted on a bridal party of all of her and Howard’s children, children in law, and grandchildren. A mere 20 plus people, but they wouldn’t have it any other way. Many of us thought about the chaos that could ensue, having flower girls, ring bearers and bridesmaids ranging in age from 15 to 1. All the drama likely to take place and all the “un-wedding like” behavior that was likely to happen and then, today came.

It went off without a hitch, well at least to the general public. Yes there were the photographs that a flower girl opted out of, yes there was a ring bearer who needed to be carried down the aisle, yes too a flower girl wanting her milk during the ceremony and even a yell could be heard from the wedding party for a “potty break,” but no one noticed, no one cared and really, it didn’t matter. The sun shone down on the in love couple who stood beneath the Chuppah-the wedding canopy. There were guests with smiles on their faces and tears in their eyes.

You see, as it was so eloquently put in song and in speeches, many times over today, the wedding of Ellen and Howard was not about just them. It was the true joining of two incredible families. The Libowitz/Sutton and The Farber/Caracoglia/Estradas are now officially one. I have said to Scott over and over and over again, how lucky he and his siblings should feel. There is now another man, who just as his father most certainly did, adores his mother, cares for her, wants to fulfill her every wish/want/dream. He comes along with an amazingly fun, sincere, gentle and genuine set of children, children in law and grandchildren. They couldn’t ask for much more.

As Ellen and Howard set out tomorrow for their honeymoon, a surprise trip for Ellen, we want them to know that we are so happy to see them so happy and are honored to have shared in the start of their lives together as a married couple. Mazel Tov!