The events which now came into our family life were of a more cheerful nature. The first break in the home circle was occasioned by my marriage to Rev. John W. Dodge of Newburyport, Massachusetts, which occurred November 7, 1860. Mr. Dodge was a graduate of Amherst and Andover, and had at that time accepted a call to be pastor of the Congregational church of Gardiner, Maine. Our acquaintance began by his coming to Simsbury, in November, 1855, to teach a select school. His friend, Mr. T. G. Grassie of Amherst, had taught it the year before with great acceptance and was engaged to return, and as our family were greatly interested in him, my mother had promised to take him as a boarder. He was taken very ill during the fall term of college, and being unable to fulfil his engagement, he sent his friend as substitute. So apparently trivial events often change the whole current of our lives. We became engaged during that winter, which was Mr. Dodge's junior year in college. I attended his graduation in August, 1857, accompanied by my cousin, Sarah Jane Tuller, and visited his home in Newburyport in the summer of 1859. Though hampered by delicate health and small means, he completed his theological course at Andover in 1860, and our marriage took place as soon as he secured a suitable parish. The first wedding in the family was a great event, and no pains were spared to make it a delightful occasion. It was an evening wedding, with about fifty guests. My sister Susan was bridesmaid, and was attended by my husband's brother Austin as best man. Our dresses were similar, of figured grey silk, mine being trimmed with white silk and lace, and I wore a bunch of white Japonicas. The ceremony was performed by our friend and pastor, Rev. I. Simmons, assisted by Rev. Allen McLean, the blind pastor of the Congregational church, to whom I was much attached.[5] A wedding supper was served, followed by a pleasant social evening. Mr. Dodge's mother and brother were the only friends of his who could be present. The good-byes were said early the next day and we set our faces toward our new home. After several pleasant days in Boston, we went to Newburyport, only to be met by the sad tidings that Mr. Dodge's father had died suddenly on the very day of our marriage, and that they were delaying the funeral till our arrival. It was a sad home-coming and clouded the brightness of those first days. We remained in Newburyport several weeks, and Mr. Dodge prepared his first sermon as pastor, in the study of his old friend and minister, Dr. Dimmick, who had recently died.