Angela's Big Wedding Day
By Angela Guevara for the Diaz Observer, June 2002
Back in June of 2002, I received a story from my Aunt Angela Guevara reminiscing about her wedding in 1952. She was remembering her special day which included memories of Grandpa Senobio and Grandma Cecilia, and she felt that all of you would enjoy hearing about them. She always had a way of putting pen to paper and really remembered the good ol’days. She wanted it published in the next Observer, but at that time, my mom was going through her illness and I wasn’t putting out the family newsletter. So I held on to her wedding day memoir, thinking I would publish it someday. Then another shocker, my beloved aunt also passed away in 2004, and I felt a little guilty for not publishing her article that she had taken the time to write by hand. This month I’ve been thinking of Aunt Angela a lot, since like my mama, her birthday is in February. I can’t think of a better time to publish her story as we embark on another reunion. I hope all her family is planning on coming to the Reunion, as I know my aunt will be there with us in spirit, too. So for all of you reading this, I ask you to picture yourself in her shoes, on her wedding day, and feel the love she felt from Grandma Cecilia and Grandpa Senobio. Through my Aunt Angela’s writing it gives us a glimpse of that special love from the two people we are ALL connected to — the two who made our beautiful Diaz familia possible. I am so grateful my aunt gave us this…so to all of you…from Angela Diaz Guevara. — Editor
Larry, I just recently got another brainstorm for the Diaz Observer. I was just thinking about my next wedding anniversary coming up on Aug. 30, 2002, my 50th. I was thinking about Grandma Cecilia and Grandpa Senobio and how they participated in it. Here goes:
On August 30, 1952, I woke up thinking, “This is my wedding day. There is so much to do today!” I said a prayer, and I asked God to, please, take these butterflies away and to make things go as I had planned. I am proud to say that, at that time, my wedding was the biggest there ever was in my hometown, Saginaw, Michigan.
The church was filled to capacity. I mean all the pews were filled and people were standing on the sides and all in the back, with all my relatives and friends and associates from work.
My mom, Odelia, was glowing and she was beautiful. She was smiling all that day and, as you who knew my mom, she always had that beautiful smile. My dad, Joseph Vincent, was so debonair and handsome as ever. I was so very proud and honored walking down the aisle of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church with my dad!
At the alter we pledged our eternal love to one another, Rodolfo G. Guevara and Angela Diaz, “till death us do part!”
Well after the wedding ceremony, we walked down the aisle, made white especially for my wedding. We walked out of church to a tumultuous applause from everyone that was there. Then we kissed. Then we ran to our car because we were showered with rice. My car now, a beautiful baby blue, convertible Buick—1950! I really loved that car! Rudy and I, and our chauffeur, got in the car and we were off— all over town, Saginaw, Michigan.
Our first stop was at Columbus Hall, my favorite place. We all spent lots of good times there. Do any of you remember? This is where we had our breakfast brunch. We also had our wedding cake. It was a four-tiered cake; so good! My mom was there with Grandma Cecilia and other family members and friends. They were preparing the food — Grandma’s specialty: mole with chicken — made from scratch. There was rice, beans, salad, etc.—delicious!
When my mom and Grandma saw us and I saw them, we burst into tears; and we hugged and kissed each other and hugged some more. Grandma Cecilia said to me (In Spanish of course) “Sientate mi hija.” I’ll serve you a plate. Sit down everyone.” She was all smiles; she looked so very happy and lively.
The band was playing upstairs where the dance floor was; I can’t remember what the name of the band was, but they were playing my kind of music. I said to Grandma, “After we eat, we’re going upstairs to dance, OK Grandma?” She said, “Yes we sure are. Look mi hija, I can still do it.” She stood in front of me and she did a little “quick stepping” of her small dainty feet. We laughed and hugged some more; I will never forget this special moment with Grandma Cecilia and I.
After Rudy and I ate, he gave me a surprise. He asked me if I wanted to see my Grandpa Senobio. I said “Oh, yeah!” I really do want that.” So we went to the hospital. (Grandpa Senobio was at the community hospital on Hospital Road because he had bronchitis and stayed there for weeks at a time.) It took about thirty minutes to get there. When we arrived, we parked and got out of the car and started walking to the front doors. Then it just hit me; I was in my wedding dress, Rudy was in his white tux! Everyone that was there outside and inside stopped and looked at us. I know I wanted Grandpa to see me in my wedding dress, but I forgot and it didn’t occur to me that everyone else was going to see us. I heard some of them say,“Oh, look isn’t that nice and thoughtful?” “I wonder who she’s coming to see?”
Well anyway, we found Grandpa’s room and when I walked in, he was totally surprised. He opened his eyes wide and his mouth had a huge smile on it. He was sitting up in his bed and he spread out his arms to me. We hugged and kissed, and hugged some more. His eyes became watery and he said,“ I’m so very glad you came.” He shook Rudy’s hand and thanked him and welcomed him to the family. We talked and he held my hand all the time we were there. I told him about Grandma Cecilia dancing. He laughed. Then he said, “Yes, she always did like to dance. I can see her now.” When we finally had to leave he hugged me tight for quite a long time. He held my hand tight. He was crying, and so was I! He said,“Thank you mi hija for coming to see me. It really means so much to me that you came to see me on your special day. Thank you too, Rudy, be good to her. She deserves the best. Cuidala mucho!”
I told Grandpa, “I came because you are special to me!” As I left the bed, I turned to see Grandpa Senobio. He waved to us and smiled, and we smiled and waved back. I will always remember this special time with my Grandpa.
Well from there we went to the Saginaw City Auditorium where the wedding reception was held. This was the place before the “Civic Center.” Does anyone remember? What a grand finale that was for me, dancing and dancing the night away. That was my specialty.
After the dance, about 2 :00 a.m., we all went home to 507 N. 6th St. This was my special place with my parents and sisters Anne and Betty. I had lots of precious moments and times there, but then, that’s another story. There was another cake there. We stayed awhile talking with our friends, my bridesmaids and some relatives. I went to change. Rudy and I got our blessings from my beloved parents. We went out and into my beautiful, baby blue Buick convertible to…I’m not telling!!!
Larry, I just recently got another brainstorm for the Diaz Observer. I was just thinking about my next wedding anniversary coming up on Aug. 30, 2002, my 50th. I was thinking about Grandma Cecilia and Grandpa Senobio and how they participated in it. Here goes:
On August 30, 1952, I woke up thinking, “This is my wedding day. There is so much to do today!” I said a prayer, and I asked God to, please, take these butterflies away and to make things go as I had planned. I am proud to say that, at that time, my wedding was the biggest there ever was in my hometown, Saginaw, Michigan.
The church was filled to capacity. I mean all the pews were filled and people were standing on the sides and all in the back, with all my relatives and friends and associates from work.
My mom, Odelia, was glowing and she was beautiful. She was smiling all that day and, as you who knew my mom, she always had that beautiful smile. My dad, Joseph Vincent, was so debonair and handsome as ever. I was so very proud and honored walking down the aisle of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church with my dad!
At the alter we pledged our eternal love to one another, Rodolfo G. Guevara and Angela Diaz, “till death us do part!”
Well after the wedding ceremony, we walked down the aisle, made white especially for my wedding. We walked out of church to a tumultuous applause from everyone that was there. Then we kissed. Then we ran to our car because we were showered with rice. My car now, a beautiful baby blue, convertible Buick—1950! I really loved that car! Rudy and I, and our chauffeur, got in the car and we were off— all over town, Saginaw, Michigan.
Our first stop was at Columbus Hall, my favorite place. We all spent lots of good times there. Do any of you remember? This is where we had our breakfast brunch. We also had our wedding cake. It was a four-tiered cake; so good! My mom was there with Grandma Cecilia and other family members and friends. They were preparing the food — Grandma’s specialty: mole with chicken — made from scratch. There was rice, beans, salad, etc.—delicious!
When my mom and Grandma saw us and I saw them, we burst into tears; and we hugged and kissed each other and hugged some more. Grandma Cecilia said to me (In Spanish of course) “Sientate mi hija.” I’ll serve you a plate. Sit down everyone.” She was all smiles; she looked so very happy and lively.
The band was playing upstairs where the dance floor was; I can’t remember what the name of the band was, but they were playing my kind of music. I said to Grandma, “After we eat, we’re going upstairs to dance, OK Grandma?” She said, “Yes we sure are. Look mi hija, I can still do it.” She stood in front of me and she did a little “quick stepping” of her small dainty feet. We laughed and hugged some more; I will never forget this special moment with Grandma Cecilia and I.
After Rudy and I ate, he gave me a surprise. He asked me if I wanted to see my Grandpa Senobio. I said “Oh, yeah!” I really do want that.” So we went to the hospital. (Grandpa Senobio was at the community hospital on Hospital Road because he had bronchitis and stayed there for weeks at a time.) It took about thirty minutes to get there. When we arrived, we parked and got out of the car and started walking to the front doors. Then it just hit me; I was in my wedding dress, Rudy was in his white tux! Everyone that was there outside and inside stopped and looked at us. I know I wanted Grandpa to see me in my wedding dress, but I forgot and it didn’t occur to me that everyone else was going to see us. I heard some of them say,“Oh, look isn’t that nice and thoughtful?” “I wonder who she’s coming to see?”
Well anyway, we found Grandpa’s room and when I walked in, he was totally surprised. He opened his eyes wide and his mouth had a huge smile on it. He was sitting up in his bed and he spread out his arms to me. We hugged and kissed, and hugged some more. His eyes became watery and he said,“ I’m so very glad you came.” He shook Rudy’s hand and thanked him and welcomed him to the family. We talked and he held my hand all the time we were there. I told him about Grandma Cecilia dancing. He laughed. Then he said, “Yes, she always did like to dance. I can see her now.” When we finally had to leave he hugged me tight for quite a long time. He held my hand tight. He was crying, and so was I! He said,“Thank you mi hija for coming to see me. It really means so much to me that you came to see me on your special day. Thank you too, Rudy, be good to her. She deserves the best. Cuidala mucho!”
I told Grandpa, “I came because you are special to me!” As I left the bed, I turned to see Grandpa Senobio. He waved to us and smiled, and we smiled and waved back. I will always remember this special time with my Grandpa.
Well from there we went to the Saginaw City Auditorium where the wedding reception was held. This was the place before the “Civic Center.” Does anyone remember? What a grand finale that was for me, dancing and dancing the night away. That was my specialty.
After the dance, about 2 :00 a.m., we all went home to 507 N. 6th St. This was my special place with my parents and sisters Anne and Betty. I had lots of precious moments and times there, but then, that’s another story. There was another cake there. We stayed awhile talking with our friends, my bridesmaids and some relatives. I went to change. Rudy and I got our blessings from my beloved parents. We went out and into my beautiful, baby blue Buick convertible to…I’m not telling!!!
