Mandy + Grant

On Saturday morning I woke up at 4:00 a.m. (That's right. Four-to-the-A-to-the-M.) to drive to Cleveland, Ohio for Mandy and Grant's wedding reception.

At around 4:30 I tried waking La up so we could leave. My attempts were futile. She blatantly ignored me, snoring loudly, rolling over emphatically, and covering her head with her quilt. But then I said, "You know we're going Grandma and Grandpa's house, right?" And that's when she sat bolt-upright in bed and shouted, "I will bake COOKIES!"

As we walked out of the gate around 4:45, La and I ran into a group of boys coming home from the bars. Being the chivalrous men that they were, they discontinued their loud, drunken banter which had consisted of words like "stripper" and "boobs," and held the gate open for us.

How nice.

The drive wasn't bad. In fact, it was great. I think I needed that calming respite ... The chance to concentrate only on driving, without worrying about the millions of things I have to get done. It was also a chance for La and I to partake in one of our guiltiest pleasures: Rocking out to Celine Dion: The Ultimate Essential Collection. That's right. Two discs worth. Awwww Yeah.

La and I threw our heads back and belted out each and every song on both discs. Quite cathartic, actually. A few random drivers made eye contact with me mid-wail. The first time it happened I was a tiny bit embarrassed. But then I rationalized that it wasn't likely that I would ever see that person again. (Until that one guy in the Ford Explorer happened to stop at the same rest stop as us ... and happened to hold the door open for me ... And happened to give me a knowing look that said "I saw you back there at mile marker 81 belting it out like you were Celine or something." ... AWKWARD. At least I wasn't picking my nose. That would have been worse.) So, all the way through Indiana and part of the way through Ohio, La and I shamelessly sang at the top of our lungs, and let me tell you, we sounded DAMN GOOD.

The reception was that evening, and everything about it was wonderful. The food, the atmosphere, the endless amounts of wine ... All divine. The best part, though, was the people.

Just look at these two. They're so sweet it makes my heart hurt.

I wish I could have spent more time with the two of them, but wouldn't you know, they were all POPULAR and stuff, and had to mingle and whatnot. But I did get to spend some good quality time with some amazing people that I had really been missing.

The girl below? That's Kath. We worked together for about three years. She's got it going on.

And this guy below? That's my old boss. He likes to be referred to as "Mr. Big." He's simply fantastic.

And of course, the newlyweds.

Mandy and Grant, your reception was fantastic. I'm so glad I got to be a part of the beginning of your life together. You are both beautiful, extraordinary people. Perfect for each other. I wish you the best of the best for years and years and years to come.

I love you both!