William & Patty: Chapter Ten

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The sun rose on a new day at the Howard Training Center. Those who worked or attended classes there seemed lighter, happier. Employees wept as they discussed the wedding. It was Valentine's Day, and love really was in the air.

The transformation of the center's Witmer Hall began at 9 a.m. Fourteen round tables were covered in red cloth. Each table featured photos of William and Patty and handmade wedding favors containing Hershey's kisses.

One table held a three-tiered cake and a punch fountain. Rose petals covered the top rim of the head table. A unity candle sat on a table just behind an arch wrapped in soft white lights.

Everything was set by the time Sandra, William and Patty arrived at 5:30 p.m. The first wedding in the history of Howard Training Center clients was 90 minutes away.

The bride and groom walked around, excitedly checking out the decorations. As they did, Susan Filice, Deanne Haile, Stacy Burleson and several other staff members who organize Howard Training Center programs watched, teary-eyed.

Sandra and Susan hugged tightly for a few seconds. No words were needed. Both women left wiping their eyes.

"Isn't this what humans want?" Susan said. "To be loved and respected by someone other than your parents? That's total validation.

"People living with disabilities don't get to fulfill their dreams. Society has put up too many barriers for them. To me, this is very historical. William and Patty are getting to make a choice that so many like them will never have a chance to make."

At 7 p.m., about 75 people found their seats. An Elvis impersonator started the music as the best man, Jose Zamora, and maid of honor, Linda Bailey, walked in.

Then the crowd rose to its feet as the bride entered the hall, a white veil covering her face. Walking down the aisle with Ken, Patty smiled as Elvis sang.

Come with me while the moon is on the sea Night is young and so are we, so are we

Ken placed Patty's hand in William's, and the bride and groom turned and faced the minister, Cheryl Martin. She spoke, then the couple recited vows and exchanged rings. At one point, William audibly yelped to himself, "Oh God," as the nervousness overtook him. Everyone laughed and cried.

Then William leaned down and kissed his bride; she nuzzled him affectionately, rubbing her face side to side. When the brief ceremony concluded, the minister turned the couple toward the crowd. William, appearing relieved, proudly pushed out his chest as his bride held his arm.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Martin said, "may I present Mr. and Mrs. William Beaber."

The responding roar was loud. About 20 people swarmed around William and Patty. They were the couple's friends and, at that moment, their biggest fans.

They were people, much like William and Patty, who always have struggled to be included into a world of closed doors, averted eyes and deaf ears.

William and Patty disappeared into the crowd. In a way, the sweet moment belonged to each of them.

And they celebrated it together.