The Wedding

I remember waking up uncomfortable and groggy on that Saturday morning. My cousin Ray was staying with me so naturally I gave him my bed to sleep in. Gracious host and what not. This left me sleeping in a sleeping bag on top of an old and hard futon that was a bit too short. The sleeping bag also smelt a bit funny but whatever, it was only going to be for a few nights.

We were uncertain what to wear. There was an initial ceremony, followed by a break, followed by some more ceremonies, and then dinner. Was it necessary to dress formally so early? Could we go more casual and then return home to change? We called one of my Uncles and he said we could go semi-casual.

So imagine our surprise when we arrive and everyone is dressed up in suits.

People say I looked furious as I searched for the Uncle.

Luckily I managed to snag a tie from said uncle. My brother and Ray managed to steal bits and pieces of clothing from other people when pictures weren't being taken so in the end it was around ok. Still, I would have preferred to be in my full suit for all these wedding photos. As I'd later learn that evening, it's kind of hard to take photos in the dark.

The reception was nice. Adam is the first of my generation to finally get married so this is kind of important. Family members all over the place crying including groom. It was kind of funny and sweet at the same time because when was the last time you saw a groom start crying as he says his vows?

Luckily, the best man had tissues ready.

I chuckled, I think we all did.

After a series of photos by the wedding photographer we had time for a quick lunch and a drive home to change. It was a pain getting there and back due to the pride parade happening nearby. Traffic was congested and things took longer than we would have liked.

Also unfortunate was the lack of drinks or refreshments while we were waiting. Well, unless you wanted to fork over several dollars for a drink. So, being the intrepid people we were, another Uncle (I have a big family) and I set off to the nearest convenience store to grab bottled water everyone.

We realized it would be kind of embarrassing, sneaking drinks into the fancy hotel that the wedding was held at. We resolved this by "sneakily" covering the case of bottled water with our suit jackets.

And then it started to rain on our way back.

I normally like rain. But not when I'm dressed all fancy.

We made it back mostly dry surprisingly. I think the dinner and the open bar were my favorite part of the whole wedding. I like fancy food, and wine, and alcohol. I wish they had more hard liquor but I made due with what I had. Asides from the best man knocking over a glass vase filled with water I think dinner went very well.

Another thing that this wedding indirectly did for me was somewhat give me hope for my own future romantic endeavors. When I was a kid I remember Adam dating someone and they were together for years before mysteriously breaking up. Then he was single for (I think) the same amount of time before meeting his to-be-wife. They married a year after they first met up, they just clicked.

I mean, he's over 30 and I just turned 24. My longest relationship was half as long as his and I haven't been single for as long either.  He's probably been turned down more than I have too and he's much more charismatic than I am.

Maybe I should be more dapper, drink more fancy alcohol. Maybe this line of thought was the alcohol talking.

But it really puts things in perspective. And it gives me hope. I'm still young, right? Well, that hasn't stopped my Grandmother from constantly nudging me and asking where my "girlfriend" is.