Thursday, March 20, 2008

Once, the Matron Wrote for The New York Times

Oh my!

Today's post generated instant advice and big demand for the Matron's New York Times byline.

Here it is, folks.

In short, it's all about who you know. I am so sorry that the world works this way.

The Matron has another dear friend who has deep faith in the Matronly writing skills. This friend pens all those wedding announcements -- you know, the Sunday edition of Who is Who and Better than You.

Maybe they met the Other Mother? Please read this, too, because the Matron? She needs your help.

So there was this hockey wedding in Minnesota and the friend? She did not want to attend. Jaded, done with weddings, busy.

So she tapped the Matron, who was contacted by the Times and required to send many writing samples and blood from her left big toe.

The Matron attended this wedding where an elderly man held her hand and wept because the Times had representation. When there was a line in the ladies' restroom? The red sea parted.

"She's from the Society Pages from the New York Times! Let her go first!"

And, she did.

The bride and the Matron were rivals for center of attention. People pointed and gawked.

She (the Matron) loved it.

And on Sunday morning when she woke up and saw that byline and knew that the very first thing Barbra Streisand does every Sunday is read the Vows column, she nearly fainted.

Better yet? The bride called her and cried. She loved it.

17 comments:

Jenn @ Juggling Life said...

It's all about the backstory, baby. You nailed it.

laurie said...

i'm envious!
let's see... i've written for siirtolaisuus... does that compete?

Suburban Correspondent said...

So, so cool...I hope you had fun, too. But I'm still wondering why this was featured in the NYT. Because she was from Montclair? Is her family a notable one there?

Suburban Correspondent said...

I meant, why this particular couple was featured in the NYT...not your writing, of course...it belongs there.

Minnesota Matron said...

Suburbancorrespondent: Thank you! I love compliments on my writing, actually. I'm shameless that way.

The Times gets about 2000 submissions a week of couples who want to be featured. They sort through those and pick an eclectic bunch.

These two got selected because of the hockey brothers, the bride's hockey father and the hockey life. These families move all the time and never know when they're going to be 'deployed'. This uncertainty seemed to mirror the military experience. Given we're at war, there was that focus.

So. .. those were the elements that came into play.

I PRAY that this is NOT my moment of fame. Gotta keep working :-).

slow panic said...

very cool. it might be who you know that got you in, but the writing was great.

i'm sure there will be more.

Mrs. G. said...

Very cool. It would be heady to see one's name in the NYT.

Anonymous said...

I liked that :)
Not fussed on the photos they printed though...you didn't take those too did you?

Minnesota Matron said...

Hi Happy: You're right. The photos weren't that great. I was surprised because the ones I saw at the wedding were lovely -- and no, I didn't take them. The Times has a regular stringer here.

Anonymous said...

That's awesome-and very sweet, too. Now I'm REALLY going to have to keep my Strunk & White handy when writing anything you may see!

Jocelyn said...

You are hella good writer. No question.

And connections are everything, fer sure.

But it's somehow too bad--and unfitting--that you had to write about a bride who knew her husband was the one when his touch felt like her dad's hands had on her (ewwwww) and who was delighted to put her own goals aside to help her husband reach his.

My, my. Your skills are worthy of at least a couple who married while heli-skiing, saying their vows during the 20,000 foot descent.

Irene said...

All the matrons do a very good job writing, don't they? They all have talent and great skill. All three of them.

Tootsie Farklepants said...

HOLY COW!!! Awesome! I'm so impressed. Really! Congratulations!

Peggy Sez.. said...

I have a surprise for you! Come visit me and read my "My First Award" post.

Kimberly said...

You wrote for VOWS! I freaking LOVE Vows!

::we're not worthy we're not worthy::

Seriously, I am very impressed. Great article!

dkuroiwa said...

Okay...so not to sound like a 13-year-old, but...that was just way cool!!
If someone asks me if I know someone famous or almost-famous...can I mention you?!?!
I mean...really!! The NYTs!!!
Waiting for more.....

Anonymous said...

I loved the NYT piece! So well done... I'm sure this won't be your only moment of fame - you are a beautiful writer.