I’ll forever remember Fathers Day weekend 2014 as my first experience as a bridesmaid (or, bridal attendant, as I was referenced in the program).  The groom was a guy I met in the mid-1980s while in elementary school.  The bride was a girl I met in 9th grade who has been like a sister ever since.  As I said in the toast I was asked to give at the reception (the lone toast to be given at the wedding and/or reception, I might add…this was a source of trepidation all day), she was the last friend to whom I said “goodbye” before leaving for college, the last friend to whom I said “goodbye” before leaving for Iraq, and the first person my bride and I told about our eloping (when we showed up at her front door immediately afterward).  Incidentally, the other male bridal attendant was the guy who introduced my bride and me 10 years ago.  Here’s a picture of the two of us at the rehearsal Friday night:

The ceremony went very well, despite Jeremy’s and my inept ushering (we left the entire second row clear of people on the groom’s side for some reason).  My toast was well-received and complimented by the bride and several attendees.  I got to reconnect with friends from high school whom I haven’t seen in 20+ years and with our old next door neighbors (who moved to Texas a couple years ago).  It was a great experience–both the Friday night rehearsal dinner and the Saturday wedding + reception.

Having never been a bridal attendant before, I wasn’t sure what my duties would entail before the ceremony, so I thought:  what would I have wanted from my closest friends, had I had a large wedding instead of eloping?  And thus, I did this.

Being a bridal attendant also meant getting to see the dress before the groom or any groomsmen saw it.  I heard a lot of “oooohs” and “ahhhhs” from the female bridal attendants.

Once my attendant and ushering duties were completed, I got to spend time with my own bride.  And damnation, did she look good that evening.

The next day, we went to church, had brunch at Manuel’s Tavern (my Sunday brunch spot, as the food is great, and there’s never a wait), and saw The Lego Movie at the “dollar theater” (that’s actually $1.75) in Marietta.  We loved the movie; it was perfect for a Father’s Day outing with my children.

A few hours later, a babysitter came to watch the 3 little ones, and my bride and I met another friend from elementary school (and his lovely bride) to see Hall & Oates at Chastain amphitheater.  It was a great show and a fitting conclusion to a weekend spent with folks I met when Hall & Oates songs were still in the Billboard Top 40.

To quote myself (again) from the reception, I’ve enjoyed growing up with these two separately, and I can’t wait to grow old with them together.