Post from Linda Anderson, DeDe’s Mom:
On August 13, 2011, DeDe’s cousin Greg Balow married Heidi Langenbacher at Kings Beach, Lake Tahoe. De De, David, Luke and Ryan had looked forward to sharing this special day with the family and friends. Greg and Heidi were very drawn to their Houghton family and their adventures in life and love. They shared interests in so many activities and they had planned to take Scuba lessons through Aquasafaris but unfortunately with all of the busy schedules they were not able to do so prior to the fatal plane accident They do plan to get their certifications in the next few weeks and look forward to sharing the beauty and mysteries of the waters that the Houghton family enjoyed so much.
The wedding was on the beach and the water was beautiful and the event special in every way. They exchanged their vows at the arch built by Greg’s father and on each side in honor and memories of the loved Houghton’s four juniper trees were placed. In the sky above were people parasailing and paddle boating and playing on the beach and in the water. The bride made her bouquet out of felt cut flowers and each was centered with a button, pin or other item in memory of a loved one. A shell of DeDe’s was placed in the front center in honor of DeDe, who was very proud of this young couple and their love. DeDe and David were very touched and proud to be a part of their lives and shared times at Sea Ranch and Abalone fishing and feasting.
The music played as Heidi walked in with her father was “Over the Rainbow” by Izzy. This will always have special memories for all of us. When the Best Man Adam Turpen (also a cousin to DeDe) gave his toast to the Bride and Groom he expressed how happy DeDe, David and the boys would have been and that he felt they were there with us all on this special day. They were all in our hearts and thoughts, even to those who had never met this wonderful family. The rememberances shared just represent again the wonderful way our fabulous four touched lives and still have an impact on the present and the future. I thank my family for honoring us all in this way, it was a beautiful day filled with love and my heart is still so full of love for “ALL” and their specialness. I am sure there were alot more guests at this wedding celebration than we could all see. Thank you Greg and Heidi, hugs to you both! Love Aunt Linda
This is special and touching. Thanks, Linda, for sharing. Contrats to Greg and Heidi! I’m so glad to see a young couple that were touched by David and DeDe. If I had to do over again, I would have gone to Sea Ranch more often with them. Let me know if there are any photos of the four trees. Thanks, -John
linda,
thank you for sharing about your special time in tahoe. your words are full of hope for the young couple and the sweetness of the day was translated in your words. may the fullness in your heart from the celebration nourish you in moments of sadness. i admire your strength to be living with such an open heart during this time. it seems that dede reflected many of your strengths in her life.
if i recall correctly, today is the wedding anniversary of dede and david. all of you are in my thoughts as you recall such a joyous day.
sarah
(childhood friend of houghton kids/college pal of david’s)
Sarah and readers, today I got some pictures and a video from my nephew Greg and his new bride Heidi, they were snorkeling in the waters off Maui and swam with four Eagle rays which reminded them of the four Houghtons swimming freely in the wonderful world below the sea. None of the other 60 divers saw many of the creatures that they saw, I told them I thought that just maybe they had guides with them. These two young ones remind me so much of my DeDe and her David, and I know that I will enjoy sharing in their new lives together as they experience their special love of each other and the sea world. I also wrote them and said that if they should just happen to see a “Golden Seahorse” a swimmin by, I will be convinced that I know where Ryan and his family are for sure! I will try to get a picture for John to post with this note. Linda
By being a special friend to Linda for several years now, I am always amazed at her talent for writeing her feelings so elequently, so well chosen, and how quickly they flow from her heart to her hands…I have quite a collection of her writeings I call “Linda-Isms”,that I am very proud of and will keep for ever…Linda, you have a God given talent that you should really pursue..!!!…………”JAY”…. “God bless the Anderson and Houghton Families”……..
I’m just about to start going to school and the first thing I thought about about was that Luke would not be there and that I would not be sharing the school year with him. I pictured him running up to me on the first day of school wanting to see which classes we would be together in. Now I don’t know what it will be like the first day of school considering that there will be one friend not sharing that day with me.
Linda and Nico, thank you for sharing your stories and feelings with us… my heart goes out to you both. Linda, I simply can’t imagine the depth of your loss, and yet you keep our heavy hearts uplifted with your optimistic and eloquent words. Nico, I’m so very sorry for the loss of your best friend, and I know it must be such a hard road you’re travelling without Luke. I swear Luke had something to do with that little puff ball thingy you were trying to catch at fencing tonight!! Maybe trying to set you up for 5 push-ups… lucky Robin wasn’t paying attention