The Best Wedding Ever

I went to my friend Randy's wedding reception yesterday. Little Randy got married. In the Temple. To say I'm proud of him might sound condescending, but I it's not, I just am. Randy and I became friends because our big group of friends kind of fell apart and it was just us left. He is 5 years younger than me, and I kind of fancied setting him up with my little sister when he got back from his mission. He didn't end up going though because of illness, so instead, he stayed and became my best friend. Randy knew me better than anyone else. He probably still does. I relied on him. Unfortunately I took some bad advice (not only from him) and dated his psycho friend, which led to awkwardness and the need for me to distance myself a little. That's when things with Nicole got serious. So I never really got to know her, or the Randy that was dating her. It really sucked for lack of a better way to say it. Anyway, I stopped hanging out with Randy quite a while ago, but luckily, I still got invited to the reception. And oh, what a reception it was!

Tucked away in a little park set between houses (very Notting Hill), you walked in to see lovely table settings, candle light, champagne glasses with Maritnelli's, bouquets of flowers, and...a bouncy house. Little kids and bride and groom jumping about in a giant air-filled fun house in the middle of a wedding reception. I knew the rest would be great, and I wasn't disappointed. I'm sorry to say that I missed the cake cutting which began with bride removing her puffy bridal skirt to reveal white satin capri pants, then moving into a choreographed ninja fight scene set to Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon music with blocks and circling which ended when they simultaneously deposited cake in each other's mouth.

The puffy skirt was back in place when I arrived, and it was time for the toast, and then the Daddy/Bride, Mother/Groom dance. This was to the Cheeseburger song from Veggie-tales. I can't even think of how to explain the fact that this wedding had all of the wonderful silliness that was so fitting of Randy and Nicole, but still kept the feeling of an elegant celebration. Later Bride and Groom played their first 1 on 1 basketball game as a married couple. She won. What I liked best was that they kept playing. They invited other people to join. It wasn't just to be weird, or add one more spectacle, they really wanted to play. So why shouldn't they? It's their wedding.

I loved it. Everything about it. I even loved the handouts they had. The typical jelly belly-filled box with purple ribbon and a plastic blue spider inside.

I miss Randy, but there never has been any question that he really loves Nicole, and after this reception, there can be no doubt that he is and always will be happy with her. They are so perfect for each other it's scary. My branch president's wife told me today that she wishes that every couple could find that kind of happiness. Me too, but if they can't, at least let ME find it.

Congratulations Randy and Nicole! All the best!