Carras Paton, 28, a longtime customer of A & D Music, sought out the Laguna Hills shop owner Rebecca Apodaca recently to discuss his wedding. She thought he might need to rent a public address system.
Paton, who rented instruments from Apodaca, told her she had been the most supportive person in his life other than his parents. Apodaca had provided him with instruments, repairs and a tutor and had attended his concerts from El Morro Elementary through UC Irvine. She even substituted for him on bass the night of his last high school concert so he could perform a sax solo. She visited him in New York when he moved from Laguna to perform in musicals.
Paton asked Apodaca to officiate at his wedding. “I was stunned, but said yes,” a surprised Apodaca said. She went through the necessary requirements to become a minister and the legal officiate. She even performed a song on ukulele for the processional and her grandson, Renin Johnson, was the ring bearer. The reception was held at Laguna Beach Woman’s Club. “As music store owners we help families, but this was more of an honor than I ever expected,” Apodaca said.
