Liz's Perspective
April 14, 2006 - Both arriving late to the wedding rehearsal of TJ Gilchrist and Rick Taylor, you would think we would have noticed one another, but we did not. In fact, we don't even recall seeing each other at all, even though we were both in the wedding and attended the rehearsal dinner afterward. Not a word was spoken between us.
April 15, 2006 - Our lives were forever changed. Before the beautiful ceremony of TJ & Rick, I happened to walk outside and witness a very tall, goofy man attempting to fit into a neon pink little girl's jacket and oversized black sunglasses. I can remember my cousin Benny laughing so hard his eyes were watering and every other groomsman laughing and shaking their heads. I chuckled a little, walked to the side of the church and the sight was quickly erased and overpowered with nervousness. I hadn't been in a wedding since I was a flower girl many years ago.
As I walked down the aisle with Shane, eventually standing to honor the union of TJ and Rick I felt something in my stomach link with my mind and I knew from that day my life would never be the same.
While the wedding party patiently waited in order to be announced at the reception, the same tall, goofy guy approached me and said, "I like your piercing," (referring to the barbell in my ear). He said nothing else, and walked away. To say the least, I was a little creeped out. I mean, this was the dude trying fit his big self into a tiny pink jacket.
After being announced, the wedding party sat in a U-shape. Men on one side, ladies on the other. After a while, I found myself sitting alone on my side of the "U" and music started playing. I glanced to the other side of the "U" and that same weirdo was serenading me to "Have I Told You Lately," the Rod Stewart rendition. How could I not laugh (at least at this poor fool's ridiculousness)? For one, I had never been serenaded before, and two, my cousins were his backup singers. The moment was priceless.
I was swept to the parking lot for a short intermission with Dan and upon my return I coincidentally (or not so much so) ran into the same guy. He was standing at the bar and asked what I was drinking. My answer was simply me swinging my already full cup in his face. Looking back, I think I was trying to act a little more confident than I am. He smiled at my attempt to be cool.
It was not long after that moment that everything changed. We stood chatting for a minute and he dropped the pick-up line that would ultimately start a chain reaction that will carry through the rest of our lives. "I'm kind of a big deal," he said. I cracked up, having my own personal appreciation for Ron Burgundy and we did not leave each other’s side for the rest of the night. We slow danced, made fools out of ourselves, and I witnessed my first "gator." As Rick and TJ parted for the night, Rick leaned in and said, "I think he has a crush on you."
And tha's how it happened, one too many drinks and my most embarrassing moment later, I have yet to stop laughing. John Robert Wright III is my best friend, soul mate and love of my life. He is a blessing and everyday I grow to admire him more than the last.
John's Perspective:
On April 14, 2006 was the wedding rehearsal of my cousin Rick to his soon to be wife TJ. Of course I'm late- foreshadowing anyone? I come in and take my spot as Benny, Mike and I begin our normal ball breaking and the night goes on as planned.
The next day, during the ceremony, I lean forward and ask Shane who was the girl he was escorting. Remarkably, she was in the wedding party and I hadn't even realized she was there. So later on my goofy ass decides to put on my niece Madison's bright pink jacket and do the scene from the movie 'Tommy Boy.' Of course, anyone who has met me would realize that this would be the ideal time for the only other single person in the party to peek around the corner. Of course it's Liz, and good ol" J-Dub turns the color of the jacket.
Right before the announcement of the wedding party, I decide I have to try and talk to this girl because for some reason I'm nervous. I've never really been nervous talking to someone and this is starting to bother me. So, before going out, I run in and drink two Crown and Cokes to get up the courage to say something. So here I come in for the kill. Of course interrupting her, I lean in and say, "I ... Uh ... Um ... like your piercings!" Then like an idiot I just walk away embarrassed. Of course you guys have met me. I couldn't just stop there and go on with my night.
Now at dinner, we sat guys on one side, girls on the other and a very smart decision was made during this part of the planning process. They sat Benny, Mike, Shane, and I right next to the bar! So with my back up singers beside me, I decide to break out into Rod Stewarts "Have I Told You Lately." There it was. She had the greatest laugh I had ever seen. I figured if anything we could at least spend the evening laughing at me. Little did I know that she would be just as much of a goof as me.
In line at the bar I'm standing behind her and like I said before, I'm still nervous around her and I still can't figure out why. I thought to myself, "Ok Dub, keep up the laughs. See if she likes the movie "Anchor Man." I ever so smoothly put my arm around her and said, "I don't know if the family told you this but uh, I'm kind of a big deal." There's that laugh again. I start thinking, no way, that was way too cheesy to work. Could this girl be just as big of a dork?
Then low and behold, here comes the real test. Everyone knows that at every wedding since I was like 5, my mother and I have done the 'gator' together. So I went for it. The rest of the evening we didn't leave each others sides. The next day at my parents, On-Demand had the Black Crowes live.
The song they were playing was 'Miracle to Me.' I found myself playing it over and over. That is why we chose it for our wedding song. I couldn't stop thinking of her and this story could and will go on forever, one goofy moment after the next.
Yep, guess it was meant to be. Only a woman as wonderful as Liz could put up with someone as goofy as me. She is my life and my miracle. I look forward to growing more and more with her. I wouldn't be the man I am without her. Baby, you ninja'd my heart.
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