The October Surprise: Susan and Geoff Krueger

Susan lived in Irvine, California, and was in love with Geoffrey Krueger, the artist! He was charming, but allusive when it came to wedding plans! Susan came to Boise the summer of 1993, for me to help finish her designer-wedding dress that my sister, Marj., had started. It was completed and we added all the particulars of her attire! We did a photo shoot with a photographer. We included Lisa who had her picture taken as well in her wedding dress which still fit after having two babies, Jordan & Zac! That was a really fun day!

The wedding date was set for the San Diego Temple, October 9, 1993. Our whole family purchased airline tickets: Jim, me, Brian, & Natalie. Lisa & Dave were BYU students and made a huge sacrifice to fly. David was on his mission. Jill & Kellert would come from Northern California. On Friday, two weeks before the big day, Jim mailed all the local and family wedding announcements. That very night, Jim received a phone call; Geoff called the wedding off! THUD! He said he wasn’t “ready.” Disappointed? Oh my, yes! Susan called later and BEGGED for us to have patience and to understand. She loved this man and promised he would marry her, but needed time! The “C” word, “commitment,” was huge for Geoff! The family fallout came swiftly, and we did some serious family counseling with our kids. We would go ahead and go to S. California because we all had non-refundable plane tickets. Instead we would have a Shepherd family reunion that weekend. Awkward as it seemed, Geoff would be included. I threatened everyone with their life if they treated Geoff badly in any way. Next, was the difficult task of sending out the cancellation announcements to our Boise friends and extended family. People were shocked and very upset for Susan to say the least!

We flew to California and actually went to the San Diego Temple Friday and saw the room where the sealing would have taken place. Kinda strange! Saturday, we all decided to go to the BYU-UCLA football game, and we sat in the upper part of the Rose Bowl in Pasadena as UCLA demolished BYU 63-0! We thought the score was appropriate for the occasion, and we actually laughed. Then we flew home and resumed our lives.

Five months later, I got a call from Susan one day. She announced that she and Geoff were “eloping” to the temple in three days, March 3, 1994! I was shocked. “Really, for sure?”  The answer was “YES!”

A mother dreams of being involved in her daughter’s (or son’s) wedding and showering her with love, attention, and support. But, there was no time to get airline tickets now. In fact, to add insult to injury—they didn’t even want us there, just their two close friends. I hung up the phone and cried. “It’s NOT fair!”

Then Jim sat me down, “Carol Ann, do you want Susan to be happy?”  “Yes.”

“Do you want her to get married?”  “Yes.” (sniffle, sniffle.)

“Do you want her to get married in the temple?”  “Yes.”

“Well, SHE IS! So stop crying and be happy for her.” And, I did. End of conversation!

I somehow got a hold of Eve, Susan’s best friend and maid of honor, and asked her to purchase a beautiful white bridal bouquet (every bride needs flowers, for Pete’s sake!) for Susan and surprise her with it and send us the bill. On March 3^rd, our doorbell rang in Boise, Idaho. It was the florist with a gorgeous big vase of white flowers with accompanying card, “To my Mom. I love you, Susan.” We had each sent white flowers unbeknownst to the other on her wedding day. It is a choice memory to this day for both of us!

The rest of the story is that Geoff told us later on that he decided we were a pretty terrific family not to confront and reject him after he cancelled on October 9th. And that we would still come to California and be there for Susan really impressed him. He said he knew ours would be a family of which he would want to be a part someday. Gladly, he is! And, as this story continued to play out, I was present for the birth of both of their children, Patrick first and then a few years later for Audrey in Orange, California. Those were amazing and beautiful experiences! I video-taped both events and took many photos. I felt very honored to be invited to be present at both of these births! (Make-up time!) 😊 Memories/Carol Ann Shepherd 10-18

Note: Geoff and Susan celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary this month, March 3, 2019!