I had never been to a wedding before and I’m pretty sure most of my classmates had never been to a wedding either.

When she gave us our invitations, she explained what a wedding was – a big event to celebrate marriage. She said it was a small church and each of us could only invite one parent.

We practiced what would happen on their wedding day

In the weeks leading up to their wedding, we practiced being guests. Miss Loui taught us how to greet each other, told us not to yell at each other in church, showed us how to shake hands, and instructed us to sit quietly during the ceremony.

She warned us that our classmates would be dressed differently than at school. The girls would probably wear pretty dresses and the boys would wear pants and Hawaiian shirts.

When she said she was going to kiss her husband at the altar, we all giggled, but we were quickly told that giggling was not allowed on the actual day.

She told us that although she would be happy for us to come, she might not see us or smile as she walked down the aisle with her father.

The priest would talk and it might get a little boring. After the ceremony there would be refreshments and we would only be allowed a sandwich and a biscuit.

We felt like we knew exactly what was going to happen – she had prepared us thoroughly.

It was a brave decision to invite everyone, but I still remember the day

Looking back, though, I’m sure she must have been a little nervous. We were young and so much could have gone wrong. There was a little boy who was known for running around the classroom wildly. He was also invited. She was quite brave in her decision to invite not just a few people, but the whole class.

On the wedding day, most of my classmates and their parents came. What I remember most clearly is how smartly dressed my classmates were. Everyone looked so decent and well-groomed. My mother and I took our seats as the wedding began.

She walked down the aisle and was so beautiful. She winked and smiled at me as she passed. Everything she had taught us was performed that day. Even the boy who was usually wild in the class was tame on Miss Louis’s wedding day.

That day will remain forever in the memories of all who were there. We still see each other often and talk about Miss Loui, now Mrs. Chang, and how unusual it was that she invited us to her wedding.

As important as learning to write and count is, what children remember most is a teacher who changed their lives. Were they loved, hugged and made to feel special? Miss Loui did all of that and trusted us to be there for one of the most important days of her life.

I know that the school system has changed since the late 1960s, but it is a shame that there is not more room in the curriculum and learning objectives for teachers to have the flexibility to teach such lessons.

At least 20 years after kindergarten, I turned around when someone asked, “Is that Danielle?” It was Mrs. Chang. I was instantly 5 years old again and speechless that she remembered me after all these years.