Suntory Time, Chicago Style
It's already the Thursday after I returned from a long weekend in Chicago but I'm still on a high from the past week's events. I was in town for a close friend's wedding, for which I was asked to serve as best man, a great and humbling honor and a first for me. The weekend really couldn't have gone much better. I arrived a couple of days early and was able to spend a lot of time catching up with the groom, meeting his wonderful bride and seeing them operate as a couple for the first time (a natural fit). Since weddings are such busy occasions, I didn't expect more than an hour with them amidst the buzz of arrangements and coordination of arriving visitors. Instead I got the better part of two days, which we spent sampling local beer, playing FIFA 2005, and discussing the nuances of Lutheran marriage preparation and single malt whisky. Speaking of the latter, I received a bottle of Suntory Yamazaki 12 Year--which you will no doubt remember from Bill Murray's commercial in Lost in Translation--from the groom as "compensation for my efforts" (totally unnecessary, yet appreciated nonetheless). As it is currently Suntory time in Connecticut, I can happily report that it is subtle yet quite good--starts slowly, a little honey in the middle and a nice dry, woody finish.
Then came the day of the wedding and, all wedding things aside, it was like a college reunion (which makes sense since we all met during college). It's always tough to see people you were close with after a long period of time has passed and your lives have gone in different directions. You want to relate to them as easily as you used to yet you can't because so much has changed and you're not sufficiently caught up. On this front, the weekend yet again surpassed my expectations. It's one thing to get together and relive the good old days but even better to make new memories with old friends, to relate as the people you are now and recognize that things have gotten even better. I would like to think that with close friends this will always be possible.
But back to the real focus of the weekend, the wedding. It will surprise no one to learn that occasions like this awaken certain feelings and cause me to reflect on my life, marriage, fatherhood, etc. Without completely losing it here, let me say that it is such an honor to witness such a powerful and holy event that will no doubt completely transform the lives of those you love. It is impossible not to be moved by such a public and unadulterated outpouring of love. As an interruption in the bustle of our everyday lives, it reminds us of the depth and beauty of life and sends us with renewed purpose to appreciate and pursue it. And despite the extended warnings about sexual immorality and marital sin, I believe that's part of what the good-natured pastor from Nebraska was trying to say.
But even after all these flowery words, I have to admit that the real reason I'm still flying from the weekend is because my toast at the reception was so well received. This is rare for me, let me have my moment.