President Ronald Reagan saved our wedding
August 20, 1981, Kuai, Hawaii
We had set a date for our wedding in Kauai Hawaii on August 20, 1981. Mimi had organized this function from New Jersey and was able to secure a small Catholic Church nestled in the mountain in Kauai for the ceremony. She found an incredible resort where each of us had our own free standing Hawaiian hut that was fitted out in 5 star luxury. The resort had a restaurant where we had the party. Now it was time for everyone to meet in Kauai. Mimi’ s sister, her brother-in-law, their daughter Claire and their maid had to fly in from Singapore. Roslyn and Frank had to travel from Milan where they were living at the time. My sisters couldn’ t attend my wedding as they couldn’ t afford it at the time. My Dad had to fly out from New Jersey and he left before we did. Then it was time for Mimi and me to travel.
The day before we were scheduled to leave, there was an air traffic controllers strike that had made a serious impact on flights. We didn’ t know what to do and felt that we were destined not to get married. Then all of a sudden on national television, the president of the United States, Ronald Reagan announced that any air traffic controller that was on strike was fired and that they had to reapply for their jobs. Furthermore, he said that all air traffic managers were to maintain all flights with the help of the military. We were saved. We flew out the next day and met everyone in Hawaii.
Kauai is a very remote and the most beautiful island in Hawaii and it was a perfect place to get married. Mimi’ s brother-in-law and I were body surfing on some incredible waves across from the hotel the day of the wedding. I got dressed in my suit and drove over to the church that was nicely decorated with Hawaiian flowers. We all had beautiful leis around our necks. As I was standing at the alter, a Hawaiian lady sung a Hawaiian wedding song and Mimi and Frank walked down the isle towards me. I was so excited. After a short ceremony we were officially married and we headed off for some photos. Although it was a very small wedding party with about 11 of us it was wonderful and an event that will be always remembered. We had an incredible dinner at the resort and danced the night away to a live band.
BARRY STEVEN EPSTEIN- PhotoAutobiography DRAFT 60 of 156