Who put the most effort into being at your wedding?

The post about the no-shows was getting too depressing to read, so rather than dwell on those who couldn't be bothered - who really thrilled you by making extraordinary effort?

First, I have to mention that our priest made a point of commenting on how full the church was and how wonderful that so many had made such an effort to travel from a distance. We had so many friends and family come from all across the US.

Now, the awards for the best effort have to be shared by:

My cousin and his girlfriend who traveled from Barrow, Alaska - that's the northern most point in the US - way up near the Arctic.

My Aunt, who came from Florida, despite the fact that my Uncle (her ex) would be there with his current wife - still a source of pain for my Aunt.

My best friend from childhood, who came from Maryland with her husband. We had just recently gotten in touch after a few years hiatus.

Hubby's young, distant cousin (3 times removed) - She went to a great deal of trouble to make arrangements to be at our wedding and drove from Albany, and back in the same day - just because she really wanted to be there.

One of hubby's relatives who we later found out had lost her 30 yr old granddaughter in a firey car crash just days before, yet kept it a secret from us and still came to celebrate our day.

And special honors to my MOH who has Multiple Sclerosis and lives all the way across the country in California - she was the best!!!! She was so worried about doing the shower right (her first) that she went and bought 'A Dummies Guide to Being a Bridesmaid' She was determined that her health problems would not deter her in walking down the aisle without her cane or brace (her idea - not mine - and she did it!) and she even found that she could dance with the BM as long as it was slow and she could lean on him. Since so many MOH and BM get bashed, I thought my wonderful MOH should be recognized.