This weekend was rather special for me. I went to a wedding. Not in itself very special, except that it was for a friend of mine, Mike, who I haven’t seen for years, and a friend I knew I missed, but didn’t know how much I missed until I got to spend time with him again.
While waiting in the church, we were entertained by a few musicians as well as a choir of creaking pews and people continually shifted, hoping to find that one position that would allow them to sit comfortably. That position doesn’t exist, I’m sure it.
Then Mike walks in with his groomsmen, a few of whom I’ve known just as long and missed just as much. To see Mike, you’d never think the guy has had a bad day in his entire life. He always looks happy. Despite that, as he waited at the front of the church he wore a grin of pure joy.
The music begins anew and the bridesmaids come down the aisle, met by the groomsmen counterparts. This is something we’ve all seen dozens, if not hundreds, or times. But it’s also something we never tire of. Perhaps it’s the pageantry of it all. We get to see a parade of ladies who look even more beautiful than they normally do, men who have shed their casual garments to impress in tuxedos.
And then there’s the bride. No matter how gorgeous the bridesmaids look, the bride is always more radiant. This weekend was no different. Mike’s bride, Jaclyn, was beautiful. It was difficult to pull my eyes away, but remembering how I felt when I saw my own wife come down the aisle, how the air in my throat seemed to solidify, I had to see Mike’s face.
I turned just in time to see his trademark goofy grin turn into a smile of a true happiness, and he gently dabbed a tear away from his eye. This too, was beautiful.
The remainder of the ceremony was pretty standard aside from an odd reference to the movie A Knight’s Tale by the priest. Odd choice. I would have though he would have chosen something a little more recent or….good.
Our time at the reception reminded me why we had all become such good friends in the first place. It also made me sad that I hadn’t been around for so many years. These guys lived in one city and I another. It’s not a good excuse, but it’s the only one I’ve got! All excuses aside, I’ve made a vow to myself, and others, to get away from my city and visit theirs far more often. In fact, my good friend Adam gave me 365 days to make the next visit happen.
Great wedding, great party, great people. Thank you so much for inviting me, Mike and Jaclyn. I couldn’t be more honoured to have been a part of your big day.
Only 364 more days to plan another visit!
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