No one could be more saddened to see the closing of the Borders Bookstore chain than Clay and I. Borders will always have a special place in my heart, because it's the place where we not only met (as I was signing copies of my novel The Perfect Shoe), but where we also married.
Yep - right in the middle of Borders Bookstore.
![]() |
Kimberly and Clay's Wedding at Borders Bookstore |
Clay and I had planned a beautiful church wedding, with all the white bells and whistles that any bride would have dreamed of, planning to wed on a cool Sunday evening. I'd stroll down the aisle to Chrisette Michelle's Golden, in a golden gown, with a bouquet, not of flowers, but a handmade bouquet of gold and clear beads and wire. We'd planned some pretty unique things - Clay was to put a toe ring on my toe, we'd do a sand mixing ceremony, and there was to be a six-minute portrait painting on a huge 8 x 5 canvas, while Fred Hammond sang "No Greater Love". (Yes, we had found an incredibly talented artist who had practiced dashing paint on the canvas and creating our images in just six minutes).
At the time that were planning our fabulous day, I had just completed writing my novel A Little Hurt Ain't Never Hurt Nobody, which captured every wedding detail perfectly, knowing that we'd be married before the book released, and had submitted it to the publisher. That was the closest I'd come to actually having that wedding. Tragically, with no advanced warning, and out of the clear blue sky, Clay's father suffered a heart attack and suddenly passed away on the eve of the wedding - just before the rehearsal dinner. As you can imagine, Clay, his mom, and his brothers were devastated.
Naturally, the wedding was postponed as Clay's family was consumed with shock, grief, and pain that I can't even imagine, as both my parents are still living today.
Anyway - fast forward to six months (and several thousand dollars, outdated invites, a stack of favors, a huge unpainted canvas, an unused limo, a lost reception, honeymoon cancellation fees, and so on and so on) later. We still wanted to get married but the thought of re-doing a huge day was overwhelming for Clay. I couldn't possibly force him to try to recreate an event that would surely bring back such painful memories, so . . .
I'd already nailed down a signing event at Borders, and as always - I was looking for that extra creative edge to make the signing explosive, so I said . . .
"You know what would be cool?"
"What?" Clay said.
"If we got married at the very place we met."
"At Borders?" he asked?
"Yep."
In our minds, we ran through the logistics, and gave Borders a call. They agreed to let me set up our 11 foot arch, decorate it with tulle and flowers, which I used as the backdrop for my signing event that day, then allowed me to use the manager's office as a dressing room where I got my make up done, changed into my gown, and glammed up. While I primped in the office, our friends showed up, having been invited via Evite and word-of-mouth only a few days before, gathered between rows of books and waited for my entrance.
Instead of Chrisette, Jamie Foxx serenaded my walk with When I First Saw You, (click below to enhance your reading experience).
![]() |
Kimberly and Clay's Wedding at Border's Bookstore |
I held my custom-made bead bouquet (which I still have by the way) and my son Drea escorted me down the aisle, with my train following. Clay, in his tuxedo, stood waiting under the decorated arch, flanked by Davion (serving as the best man I suppose), and our Pastor. No parents, no family, other than Drea and Davion - just whoever made their way out to Borders that evening. Every customer inside (and outside of Borders) watched us exchange vows, and we did get Fred to fly back out (via CD) to sing for the communion and sand mixing part of the service. Shortly after, was the big kiss, which included a large dip on the end, for which I had to hold on to my tiara, and we were introduced for the first time as Mr. and Mrs. Clay R. Hooker Jr. Wedding cake was then served to our guests in the cafe portion of the store, where they greeted and congratulated us. And when I least expected it, Clay got down on one knee and slid a beautiful gold toe ring on my toe...just like I'd wanted. How's that for African American Romance?
In the whole scope of things, it was as memorable a day as any wedding could be . . . and I sold A LOT of books that day too. *wink!*
Too bad Borders is gone now . . . but we have pictures to show that it DID exist!
Click HERE to purchase a copy of A Little Hurt Ain't Never Hurt Nobody
Click HERE to purchase a copy of my latest book Spoonin'
Click HERE to like me on Facebook.
Click HERE to purchase a copy of A Little Hurt Ain't Never Hurt Nobody
Click HERE to purchase a copy of my latest book Spoonin'
Click HERE to like me on Facebook.
Enjoy my blog? Read it on your Kindle! Just click below.
13 comments:
I love it Kimberly! This is literally a "storybook" wedding!
smooches,
Larie
OMG Coolest Wedding Ever.
Thanks Larie and Ashley! :-)
Erin, I think the title of Kimberly's next book should be "Coolest Wedding Ever" :-) That is amazing and what an amazing story!!!
I'm not sure how much of a plot I could get out of "Coolest Wedding Ever", but it may be worth a whirl!
a beautiful story of love, lost and love! enjoyed the journey of your story and like yourself i also loved borders, truly missed. God continue blessings upon you, child and husband.
Thank you James for your warm sentiments. I'm glad to know that you enjoyed the read.
I’ve got part of the plot for your new story “Coolest Wedding Ever”. An African American Black couple begin with a series of worst dates ever but egged on by friends and circumstances, they keep trying. They have a chance meeting at an event of Black awareness and activity and discover a secret they had been keeping from each other - their love for Black People. They had been concealing their “radicalism” because it had scared off other attempts at a relationship. They end up getting married in West Africa where slaves had been shipped to captivity. Your capable hands and mind can fill in the blanks.
Given with love from a Brother.
Thanks for those thoughts Michel! My initial thoughts is that if this is an African American couple, who together discover the "secret" that they love Black people, implies that they were made to feel ashamed at least on some level of their own culture/ethnicity. It seems strange to me, as an African American female to say (or hide) "I love black people." I'm going to give it some thought though! :-)
One of the coolest things that ever happened in our store! It was discussed SO many times over the years. Once we went into liquidation and thought back over the years we had spent in that bookstore, your wedding came up numerous times. That was a once in a lifetime event! We miss you and our little bookstore, Kimberly. Hope all is well.
AWWWW!!! Thank you Nintedo Thumb! :-) I really feel super special now! And thanks for all the great things you let me do at the Newport News Borders!
Kimberly, I was one of the Borders employees who had the privilege of witnessing your wedding. I dressed up for it because, hey, it's a wedding! :) It was beautiful and I cried because I'm super cheesy. Definitely the best event we ever held! I still have the picture of you in your dress that you had out. Congrats on your success in love and books!
Elizabeth, I remember you! You were always so kind, helpful and encouraging whenever I signed there. Thanks for dressing up for my wedding! I needed that smile! Hugs and Love to you!
Post a Comment