DAY 3

MONDAY, JULY 26, 2004

PORTOFINO, ITALY and "RENEWAL OF WEDDING VOWS"

Today is a special day - Jim & Bobbie are renewing their wedding vows at sea, and Portofino is a prelude to this much anticipated event.

Portofino, with its surrounding environs, has to be one of the most beautiful Italian beach resorts. The weather is beautiful. Magnificent Florentine villas hang off the hillsides, overlooking the clear azure water. Flowers bloom profusely.

Boats, ranging from rubber dinghies to sleek yachts (bigger-than-believable) are moored in its clear, still waters. (Kathy Knuppe saw Mel Gibson having breakfast on his mega yacht "Braveheart" anchored close to shore.) There is a lighthouse, there is the town church, there is everything you can think of, to shout out: "I love this place!" We are all getting into the Italian spirit... or maybe, becoming Italian?

Some of us are off to town today. Others are taking one of the tours. One is a boat tour of San Fruttuoso (famous for its Abbey and ancient home of the Doria family) and Camogli, a typical fishing village. The other tour travels to Chiavari (filled with historical shops, cathedral, piazza and a sixteenth century tower) and Sestri Levante (one of Italy’s favorite and picturesque seaside resorts, known for its restaurants and the Grand Hotel dei Castelli).

Some of us stayed on board and rode the gigantic inflatable banana boat, off the back of the ship. It was the ultimate fun experience for Catherine, Lauren, Shaylynn and Torie, with special thanks to Becca who served as "spotter" for the riders. Torie exclaimed, "My goal was not to fall off... and I DIDN’T fall off!" (Today is Torie’s triumph! Yesterday she was told she was "too young" to ride the banana, and today she not only rode, but didn’t fall off!)

Food, spectacular scenery, Mel Gibson, and banana boat rides aside, we all are here for one reason today - to honor and witness Jim and Bobbie renew their wedding vows.

At 6:15 PM we began gathering in the Veranda, a glass enclosed room on Deck 4. Jim and Bobbie arrived early, dressed for the occasion - Jim in his white tuxedo jacket, and Bobbie in a shimmering white dress wearing her 50th anniversary bracelet. Captain Scott and Hotel Manager De Meyer arrived in their dress uniforms for the ceremony, accompanied by the ship’s social hostess. Everything felt very special - and it was.

Jim thanked his family, friends and especially "the young ones" for coming today.

Jim and Bobbie then stood before the Captain, flanked by Michael as Best Man, representing his Uncle Ed the original Best Man, and by Elida, Bobbie’s original Maid of Honor. The Knuppe family and friends stood behind, surrounding the couple.

The Captain said: "We are gathered here today to celebrate your love and marriage. You know that love is a never-ending challenge. We invite you therefore to renew your commitment, pledge your love anew, look to your future together and promise yourselves that the best is yet to come."

Jim and Bobbie faced each other and joined hands. Jim read to Bobbie from Proverbs 31 about the characteristics of a truly good wife:

"A truly good wife, she is worth more than precious gems.

Her husband trusts her, and she richly satisfies his needs.

She does not hinder him, but helps him all her life.

She is a woman of strength and dignity, and has no fear of old age.

When she speaks, her words are wise, and kindness is the rule for everything she says.

She watches carefully all that goes on throughout her household, and is never lazy.

Her children stand and bless her, so does her husband.

He praises her with these words:

There are many fine women in the world, but you are the best of them all. Amen!"

The Captain then asked them to "repeat after me" and each repeated the traditional wedding vow - once more taking each other to be their wedded spouse, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death us do part.

The Captain then concluded: "Your love for each other has made the world a better place for you, your families and all those who have come in contact with you. With these vows and promises you have made and with God’s blessing, you may seal this ceremony with a kiss. (They kissed) With these words I, Captain Martin Scott as Master of the Wind Spirit, wish you the best in life and long and continued happy marriage."

The ceremony concluded. Family and friends applauded, many wiping their teary eyes. Pictures were taken, with Becca the photographer at the helm. Fluted champagne was passed out, and a toast made. A delicious 50th anniversary cake was cut and shared.

Bobbie said is was all "overwhelming" and "there’s no way I can say thanks or be adequately thankful to all the people here." Jim added how gracious the Captain was and that "having family here and close friends mean a lot to us. The whole trip has helped bring the family closer together."

Hugs and congratulations abounded. Michael and Kathy said the bride and groom "looked like newlyweds again, lovely even after 50 years and fittingly adorned."

Jacque, too, observed how absolutely beautiful they looked, adding, " I loved that my Dad read the wedding Proverb 31 because those words have always described my Mom." Jeff thought it was wonderful that the whole family was together for the ceremony and "very special to memorialize the ceremony on the high seas."

"Fantastic", said Martin, "I loved my brother Mike standing in for Uncle Ed who couldn’t be here. I loved the whole family being here." "Beautiful", echoed Susann, adding "the words are so true about Mom and Dad, with their Christian commitment and being a role model for all of us."

-Marian (a junior of O’Dowd high school when Jim and Bobbie wed) observed, "It was a wonderful recommitment. Jim’s reading the Proverb just reminds me how truly humble he is and the depth and brevity of their partnership with God."

-Bea said it was "excellent and brought back many memories. They said all the right words. It was great."

-Fran: "Fantastic."

-Jeannie: "I was so happy for them. It brought tears to my eyes."

-Some of the younger set’s reaction:

Austin: "It was pretty cool, being out on the boat and stuff."
Lindsey: "Grandma was beautiful and Grandpa matched."
Becca: "I really loved it. They added their own touches which made it nice."
Travis: "Best one I’ve ever been to."
Tyler: "It was good."

More pictures were taken including - a family picture of great happiness which almost overflowed the camera’s frame.