I’d known Pam for a couple of years by the day of our wedding. By then, I’d made my peace with her ability, or rather, inability to arrive anywhere on time.

It’s not like she’s not paying attention. It’s just that things happen on her way to being on time. At least, that’s what she told me.

Given this, it was no real surprise that on our wedding day, the time for the ceremony came and went without any sign of my bride.

I wasn’t upset or concerned. I was sure that Pam had what she thought was a very good reason for being late for her own wedding.

My dad had other thoughts. He sent a lot of scotch my way in an effort to calm me down. That I was already calm was lost on him.

What I didn’t know at the time was that the minister was telling dad that he had another wedding to perform and that he would leave soon.

Dad had impressed upon him that he wasn’t leaving before Pam and I were married.

Luckily, Pam eventually showed up before anyone mentioned things like kidnapping or assault. I’m pretty sure that she was late for a good reason.

Anyway, this was 43 years ago, tomorrow.