7 Chapter 6 Marriage and Children

Chapter 6 Marriage and Children Although Franklin's mother accepted the engagement, she had no intention of letting go of her son. After all, he was her only child. Eleanor tried her best to please Franklin's mother. What that meant was letting Franklin's mother make all the decisions for them. It was a problem that Eleanor would deal with for many years.

Franklin sent Eleanor flowers, poems, and books. And they talked. Some people thought that Eleanor could have chosen someone better. Not Eleanor. She said that she saw "the promise that was Franklin." And he needed her. Franklin often said that Eleanor made him a better person. He felt that they made a good team. As time passed and they wrote to each other, Eleanor's letters talked of how she would help him in his career. And Eleanor continued to try to win over Sara, Franklin's mother. She spent time with her, lunching and going to the theater. Eleanor felt that they were growing closer.

Eleanor's Uncle Teddy offered the couple the White House for their wedding ceremony. Eleanor and Franklin said no. They decided to marry in New York. They wanted their wedding to be private. They picked March 17, 1905, so that her Uncle Teddy could attend. March 17th was Saint Patrick's Day. Her Uncle Teddy would be coming to New York City to take part in the big parade that day. Then, afterward, he would arrive at the home of Eleanor's cousin Susie on 76th Street. That was where the wedding was to be held. On the wedding day, the police closed off the street to protect Teddy. In fact, several guests were late for the wedding because of the security! Eleanor walked down the aisle on her Uncle Teddy's arm. Guests whispered that Eleanor looked "regal" and "magnificent." Others said that she looked like her mother. For once, Eleanor felt beautiful. She walked very tall and straight. Her thick, golden hair crowned her head. Her lovely, gray eyes shone with love and pride. And waiting for her at the end of the aisle was handsome Franklin. The two hundred guests watched the couple exchange vows.

该页暂无翻译

Unfortunately, the parade, which went by the house, almost drowned out the ceremony. Marchers sang loudly as they passed the open windows. After the rings had been exchanged and the two had kissed, Teddy loudly declared, "Well, Franklin, there's nothing like keeping the name in the family." Eleanor was now Eleanor Roosevelt Roosevelt. Everyone laughed. Then Teddy immediately headed to the library for

refreshments. Eleanor and Franklin were left alone. Eleanor later wrote about her wedding and described how everyone wanted to spend time with Teddy, not the newlyweds. Later on, when she was asked about the day, Eleanor would just smile and shrug. After all, Teddy was her favorite uncle. Teddy's daughter, Alice, said of the day, "Father always wanted to be the bride at every wedding and the corpse at every funeral."