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Bill, Hillary and Chelsea: An Only Child's Wedding Day

2 years ago
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Suzi Parker
Suzi Parker
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I've seen Chelsea Clinton twice outside of the political arena.
One afternoon, when she was no older than 10, my mom and I spotted her and Hillary at a downtown mall in Little Rock. Chelsea wanted to buy something, but Hillary said no, repeatedly and sternly. It was a telling moment between a mother and a little girl. Perhaps, Hillary was trying to teach Chelsea a lesson on saving money. Or that even kids who happen to be only children don't always get everything they want.
A few weeks later, I happened upon Chelsea and Bill shopping in a department store. Bill was trying on suits, and Chelsea was supervising. She was picking out ties and running the show.
This summer, Bill and Hillary's only child plans to marry investment banker Marc Mezvinsky. He is the son of former Iowa congressman Edward Mezvinsky, who was sentenced to prison for a numerous counts of fraud in 2001, and former NBC reporter and congresswoman Marjorie Margolies.
Hillary told journalists in China Tuesday that the wedding is "the most important activity going on in my life right now."
Hillary even spent time on a Chinese talk show explaining wedding showers. "It is not where you go in and have a shower, it is where friends of the bride and family come together and you give gifts to the bride and you tell stories and you show pictures of when she was a little girl."
It's funny that the most powerful woman in the world is sitting around chatting about bridal showers. Could the wedding really be the center of Hillary's universe? After all, as secretary of state, she juggles a hectic schedule of world leaders, treaties and travel.
The answer: Yes. I'm an only child and the special dynamics between an only kid and parents are unique. No doubt, Bill, as father of the bride, is equally as excited, nervous and focused as Hillary. To this troika, the wedding is pressing a family matter as Afghanistan or Iraq is to foreign affairs.
Friends of Bill in Little Rock agree. When Chelsea is mentioned, they never fail to tell various stories about how Bill and Hillary always attended her church programs and dance recitals when she was little.
Now, they whisper that Bill is just as giddy about the wedding as Hillary.
In April on NBC's "Today" show he said, "Chelsea has been good enough to include me in the decisions...so I love that."
And they say he's likely to be an emotional wreck that day. In interviews, he has said he will feel, "Proud, grateful, wistful. I'll be thinking about the day she was born. I'll be thinking about the first day of school."

He's also trying to do what his daughter wanted: Lose 15 pounds before the big day. Then again he's always trying to lose weight.
There's not a lot known about the wedding even among FOBs. They won't say whether they've received an invitation. They just smile. It's rare for FOBs not to spill some scoop but they are highly sensitive to Bill and Hillary's lifelong desire for their child's privacy.
Some wedding rumors have leaked over the last few months. Chelsea's dress could be designed by Hillary fave Oscar De La Renta. Or maybe Chelsea has her own designer toiling away on a custom design, which Hillary did not have when she married Bill in 1975. She bought off-the-rack Jessica McClintock at Dillard's.
The location is in the New York countryside likely not far from Chappaqua. The ceremony is complicated. Hillary is Methodist. Bill is Southern Baptist. The groom is Jewish. Like many interfaith couples, it will likely be a modern meshing of nuptials and religion.
For Bill and Hillary, it's a nerve-wracking and emotional time. Weddings can be as complicated as Middle East peace talks whether or not they include powerful families. There are menus to debate, dresses to fit, champagne to ponder, and flowers to study.
It's far more complex for the Clintons. They not only have to deal with a nervous bride but complex security plans and a global guest list that includes friends of the parents but not necessarily Chelsea's.
Knowing how only children maneuver -- i.e. get their own way -- it'll be no surprise that Chelsea's wedding day goes off exactly as she dreams. And if Bill can't lose those 15 pounds before the big day? He'll have his suit fitted to look as if he did to keep his little girl happy.
Filed Under: Woman Up
Tagged: Bill Clinton, BillClinton, Chelsea Clinton, Chelsea Clinton wedding, ChelseaClinton, ChelseaClintonWedding, Hillary Clinton, HillaryClinton, Marc Mezvinsky, MarcMezvinsky
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69 Comments

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changuiz

Well, folks, it IS news - because whether you happen to like it or not, the Clintons are public figures. Bill Clinton was our President, Hillary Clinton is a former Senator and our Secretary of State, and Chelsea is their daughter. I'm 54 years old, and as long as I can remember, the weddings of the daughters of Presidents, both past and present, have been reported on in the news. What else do you want to read about? There is enough murder, war, death, crime, natural disaster, scandal, economic meltdown, environmental disaster - in other words, negativity - reported on every minute of every day, that you'd think people would welcome some light, positive, and yes, happy news. I, for one, do. Congratulations to Chelsea, Bill, and Hillary, and may the happy couple enjoy a long life together.

May 31 2010 at 10:10 AM Report abuse +3 rate up rate down Reply
abarzee

Good luck Chelsea. You have become a very confident and amazing young lady......

May 30 2010 at 10:33 PM Report abuse +4 rate up rate down Reply
Phyllis

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I have been so appalled by comments not only on your site but on so many others. Finally someone has decided to do something about it. Grateful, Phyllis

May 30 2010 at 11:20 AM Report abuse +3 rate up rate down Reply
Sandy

We must live for today..while we are happy and not analysis it too much. I am happy for the couple, and hope that the marriage will works. I think they are two different people and it will be difficult but not impossible. I believe, the groom family will try to straighten themself out to make it work, just like our former president , Bill clinton. .

May 30 2010 at 9:51 AM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
Pete

Did you bother to read the part about civility? By the way Hillary takes her faith very seriously. She has been a devote Methodist her whole life. Do you have so much hate in your heart that facts can\'t enter your brain? I feel sorry for all of you who hate the Clintons\' so much that you can\'t be happy for their daughter on such a blessed day.

May 27 2010 at 2:27 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Pinchas

Why even bother to mention their religions? The fact that they are inter-marrying makes it crystal clear that neither one of them cares about their religion or takes it seriously. -Sad.

May 27 2010 at 1:22 PM Report abuse -7 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Pinchas's comment
mmprtnrs

And the article also mentions the groom's father was sentenced to prison! Is that relevant? I suppose the article could have mentioned the groom's father actually pleaded guilty to 31 counts of bank fraud and wire fraud, served 7 years in prison, and was released in 2008, but that would be so mean-spirited!

May 28 2010 at 8:37 AM Report abuse -3 rate up rate down Reply
roxysurf007

I wonder what advice Bill will give his soon to be son-in-law. Perhaps \"Don\'t cheat on my daughter, but if you have to, then burn the girls\' dress.\" Hmmmm... Or perhaps \"lie if you have to, but just don\'t get caught.\" I do hope that Chelsea\'s legacy is a good one to her own children. God bless them both on their special day.

May 27 2010 at 11:05 AM Report abuse -6 rate up rate down Reply
jadebayo4

May Almighty father bless your marriage life,may that day come with many joy and happiness.remain bless in Jesus Christ name Amen. Chelsea we love you and we love your parent

May 27 2010 at 10:21 AM Report abuse +5 rate up rate down Reply
mackmoye

I can\'t believe some of the ignorance that is displayed in these comments. Hilliary is a person; the Clintons are a family. The insensitivity and selfishness of people in this country never cease to amaze me. The annoucement and celebration of marriage is a good thing. How can we unite as a people in this country when we cannot embrace normal healthy human values.

cre15

May 27 2010 at 9:53 AM Report abuse +7 rate up rate down Reply
Grandma

Chelsa&Marc
Mazel tov.....we wish you a wonderful life and many happy years together.

May 27 2010 at 9:52 AM Report abuse +4 rate up rate down Reply

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