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Love Was In The Air In Downtown Ridge
By EMT-B / IV-Tech Scot Best
November 30, 2009
***This story was written and submitted by Mr. Doug Medley, 2nd Vice President, Bay District VFD***
It was Saturday, November 28, 2009 and I had been invited to the wedding of two very special friends - Rich Merrell and Christy Ridgell - and it turned out to be a beautiful ceremony. Rich and Christy are both members of the Ridge Volunteer Rescue Squad and it just goes to show that there can be love in the back of an ambulance while running calls. I remember when Rich was a member of our department (Bay District) while he was also a paid firefighter for the Naval Air Station, Patuxent River and we were a very close group at the California station, with no secrets from any of us. Well, we knew that Rich had him a new lady that he was seeing from Ridge that he had met where she worked at the Navy base at Webster Field where Rich had been detailed to work and we were excited to meet her. When he walked into the firehouse with Christy, were we impressed or what. She is so pretty and just the nicest person you could ever know. We all hit it off so well and told Rich later that she was a keeper so he had better be good to her. In talking to her, I found out that she was the daughter of my good buddy, Heavy Ridgell, of the Ridge Volunteer Fire Department, who I have been honored to call a friend for many years. It is a small world when it comes to St. Mary's County.
Well fast forward to today and you have two people that are very much in love and ready to spend the rest of their lives together. As I traveled south to downtown Ridge, where I have always thought as my second home, I kept thinking about what a great couple that Rich and Christy made and that they were friends first before they fell in love with one another and that was a good way to start your life together. When I got to St. Michael's Catholic Church where the ceremony was to take place, as I entered the church I found it full of family and friends and I knew that this was going to be a beautiful ceremony. I was not disappointed and neither was anyone else in the church. It was so beautiful with all the people in the wedding party and when Christy walked down the aisle with tears of happiness on her face, I must confess that I, too, was moved to tears and that's saying something for an old grump like me.
After Msgr. Maurice O'Connell performed the ceremony and the couple walked down the aisle as husband and wife, it was like a bright light lit up the church and all the faces of the family and friends. Everyone left the church and headed over to the Ridge Volunteer Fire Department where the reception was being held and the firehouse was decorated so nice you wouldn't think that you were in a firehouse at all. As the wedding party arrived and Mr. and Mrs. Richard Merrell came into the hall, they were carrying their little Yorkie "Belle" and she had her own little wedding dress on. It was soooo cute. We then sat down for a delicious dinner by Rita "B"s catering and after the dinner and plenty of picture taking, the bride and groom then proceeded to cut their wedding cake that had been made by Jacqie Cooper of Ridge. It was so good and it didn't take long for it to disappear. So after everyone had finished eating, it was time for some down home dancing and in Ridge they really know how to get down and party. None of this new age rock - it was some good old country tunes and everybody was up and on the dance floor, including Timmy Ridgell, who always has a good time where ever he goes. Mr. and Mrs. Merrell were then leaving for their honeymoon in Jamaica where I'm sure they would have a wonderful time. I, along with all his brothers in the fire service, wish them both a long and happy life together and remind them to not be a stranger and stop by and see us once in a while at the old age home (Company 9).
*All photos courtesy of Mr. Doug Medley*
The members of the Ridge VRS wish to congratulate LT49C Christy Merrell and Safety49 Rich Merrell on their marriage.
Groomsman Mike George
Groomsman Bobby Cooper
Father, Heavy Ridgell, walking the Bride-to-be down the aisle.
lighting the unity candle
Mr. and Mrs. Rich Merrell
Flower Girl Emma Cooper
Bridesmaid Sheila Coon and Groomsman Mike George
Mr. and Mrs. Philip "Heavy" Ridgell; Parents of the Bride.
First Dance
Christy's brother, Matthew (far left), appears to approve of the wedding and reception.
Timmy Ridgell gives Dickie Wood a lecture.
Father-Daughter dance.
Mother-Son dance
the busy bartenders
L-to-R: RVRS Asst Chief Debbie Drury, LT49A Michele Barickman, and President Amy Raley.
