A Wedding Weekend in Tennessee

Having written about my weekends in the past, the topic doesn't seem quite as interesting. Last weekend broke the norm. Yes, the norm being several bar visits and stimulating the local economy by attending sporting events, throwing back drinks and multiple restaurant visits. Last weekend was different and such a great change of pace.

The weekend began with a much needed off day (Yes, I took last Friday off but that half counts since I was with co-workers) so I could fly to Nashville, Tennessee. Having enjoyed the only time I've been to Tennessee, I was anxious for the visit. A great friend, Ryan Carrothers would be taking the vows to make official his status as the oldest 25 year-old I know. There was some resistance on my part to the idea that I'd spend my weekend in Tennessee during the 20th Anniversary Party for the company I work for, VML. If you have any idea what that company is and the type of people working for it, you know its parties are second to none.

Having not been to an airport for a while, I was off my game. First mistake, lining up behind a Mom with four teenage girls. The girls did not start "prepping" for the security walk through until the man in front of them had been cleared. Second mistake, not bagging up my toiletry items. I forgot one which resulted in a man who fancies himself a Secret Service agent searching my bag of meticulously packed clothes (suit and brand new button down shirt included). "Sir, you a free to proceed." Gee thanks, tool.

The flight went without a hitch with a fellow groomsmen (Bryan) and cute, non-space invading girl taking the two seats next to me. I was successful in keeping the seat open until my friend boarded by giving awkward stares at everyone who came on board that glanced at the seat next to me.

Flying into Nashville is much more scenic than flying into Kansas City. The anticipation began to grow as I'm reminded how beautiful the landscape is. Also of note, the Nashville Airport is very easy to get out of quickly. That was a good thing since Bryan and I were on the hook to make the wedding rehearsal in Franklin. The bride to be might be short in stature but I wasn't about to cross her the day before her wedding day.

The car ride was interesting. We unintentionally mixed up our destinations and spent some quality time at the house Ryan's parents were renting before we finally figured out we were at the wrong spot. After driving 15 miles down some country roads, we pass the place we're supposed to be (because Bryan recognized a very tall, pale person). We turnaround and like an idiot, I speed by the wedding locale for a second time. On the third try, we make the turn.

Bryan and I pull up to the farm the rehearsal is at pumping some tunes of the hip hop compilation CD kindly left in the rental car by the last customer. The last two groomsman have arrived so this thing can officially get underway. It's great to finally meet Ryan's parents (especially Kim since she knew me so well already from Facebook) and the other groomsmen. Ryan prides himself on surrounding himself with good people so I was honored to be a part of that company. Nothing out of the ordinary happens at the rehearsal except for the wedding planner making strong eye contact with each of the groomsman while explaining we cannot bring any of our own liquor on the premises. "I'm looking at you guys. You'll have to come ready (toasted) or wait until the reception." Thanks for that miss presumptuous. Besides, I forgot the flask at home.

After the rehearsal, we head back to the house to kill a little time before the rehearsal dinner. The house is amazing with a huge lot, a hammock, ample outdoor seating, a massive screened in porch and horses off in the lot next to it. It's a perfect escape from the routine back in KC. Strangely, I've never been able to enjoy a hammock so I spend 20 minutes on it staring at the sky while the rest of the guys have some brews.

The rehearsal dinner is at this southern style house converted restaurant. On the menu for me was prime rib, mashed potatoes and green beans. The food definitely lived up to the setting (even though I typically pass on mashed potatoes). Better than the food though was getting to know the rest of the family and groomsman. Soon after dinner, some words were said in honor of the bride and groom followed by a slide show put together by Kim. She had gathered photos from all Ryan's good friends and put them together for all to see his 25 years of life. My contribution, a picture of Ryan and I at work with Santa Clause. I think the only thing Santa brought us that day were reminders to do our timesheets. Later, Ryan gives us groomsman our gifts. Shockingly, they're some fantastic engraved pocket knives. I fully expected something slightly dangerous from Ryan and he didn't disappoint. A sword was the gift for the best man. The rest of the weekend, seven grown men roamed Franklin, Tennessee playing with pocket knives and a sword.

The evening continues back at the house with some good drinks. Well, actually the best of drinks. Dan (Ryan's dad) was kind enough to bring some Johnny Walker Blue Label for a toast. It's the best scotch I've ever had. After the scotch is finished, Kim let's me finish off a few already open bottles of wine. What would a wedding day be without a hangover?

Everyone takes off for the evening but lucky for me, there happens to be a spare room with its own bathroom open for me. It makes the decision to have one final glass before bed a bit easier.

Wedding day comes and the groom is more nervous than before his calls with his favorite Colgate client. Lucky for the rest of us, Dan re-stocked the fridge with beer but Ryan tells us not to get smashed before the wedding. I guess that's a worthy cause when you want your wedding day to be absolutely perfect.

The groomsman filter into the house throughout the afternoon. After football tossing and beer drinking, we're finally hailed to suit up (15 minutes before we leave). For any guy planning a wedding out there, I highly recommend having your groomsmen purchase suits instead of renting tuxes. The suits fit better and look much fresher all the while being only about a hundred more if you play your cards right.

We're due to be photographed at the barn soon so we head 20 minutes down the road to meet the photographer. It's always a good sign when the photographer at a wedding looks like he/she is having just as much fun as the attendees are. The guy was excellent and the results will surely be a great way to remember the weekend for anyone in attendance. Perhaps the best shot for us groomsmen will be that of us touching tips (sword and knives) right before the ceremony.

The walk up the hill with the bridesmaids is slightly more daunting than your average walk down a sanctuary aisle. It's a muddy, uphill, 100 yard stroll. Everybody makes it without so much as a trip! The ceremony is under way.

As I'm in front of 100 people doing my best to stand still (so difficult), I'm checking out every person in the audience. It's a mixture of smiles and tears as two people everyone there loved were having the most important moment of their young lives. I can't help but look into the crowd and imagine who I'd see at my own wedding. Who wouldn't I see? There are so many relationships we have in our lives but only a few of them have a lasting impact. There'd be a few friends from childhood, more from college with perhaps the most being from after graduation. Most my family would be there but the distinction between friends and family becomes more blurred as I get older. My best friends are my family and know me better than anyone. I can't wait to share a day like this (should it ever come!) with friends like Ryan and Katie.

The ceremony ends, food is served and drinks flow. Being in the middle of the Tennessee hill country was a fantastic setting for the wedding. It may have been rainy and chilly but I don't think anyone had less fun because of it. A few of the guys may have had their jackets swiped but that's a necessary loss. I can't think of anything more fun than dancing to Otis Day & The Knights with a bunch of people I had met only a day earlier.

As the night goes on and we retreat back to the house for more banter, it hits me that I'll be on an early flight back to Kansas City in the morning. I had met so many great people. It's so easy to simply Facebook everyone you meet so you can keep up with their life but it's so much less fulfilling  Hopefully last weekend was just the beginning of some great new relationships. Trips to Tennessee and Canada are already on my mind for the next few months. Even in Kansas City, I've been reunited with some great people who I hadn't seen since college or high school.

It's strange how this all happened because VML needed a new business intern to pick up the slack after I left the department. That intern, Ryan sent me a message on Facebook asking for the lowdown on VML. For the first time in more than five years, we saw each other while walking into the office. Two years later, I was a groomsmen in his wedding. My place of work is indirectly responsible for four of my best friends and countless other friends. I guess it was only fitting that I missed the anniversary party for VML so I could be with one of the great people I've gotten to know at the company.