A Crazy Weekend

This weekend was absolutely a whirlwind. On Thursday I got in the car with my dog and drove 300 miles to St. Louis to drop him off at my families for the weekend. I had a quick dinner with my mom and then ice cream, then got back in the car and drove to the airport to pick up Kate at 12:30 a.m. It was really great to see her, I had not seen her since around Christmas time. On Saturday I woke up and had a lot to do before driving to Cape Girardeuo, Missouri. After a 9 am hair cut I was off to pick up my tux and then to pick up an outfit for the rehearsal dinner. (HA HA any excuse to shop) Once I finished shopping I drove to get Kate and to head down. That evening we had the rehearsal at 5 then the dinner at 7. The reception for the dinner was very beautiful. A quaint little space in downtown Cape, they served crab cakes and stuffed mushrooms as Hors' Dourves, and the main course was either Beef Tenderloin or Chicken Marsala. I went with the Marsala however, looking back I wish I would have chosen the steak. It was terrific from what everyone was saying. Following the dinner we all went out to a bar in Cape to celebrate both the upcoming wedding and my birthday. 27, on the 27th. My golden birthday. To celebrate we were taking dollar jaeger bombs! I know, rediculous, right ?

Needless to say the night got a little goofy. We came back to the hotel around 1:30 am, I swear they made last call at like 12:50 am. As John was leaving the hotel he saw me going towards the drunks heaven also known as White Castle and he screamed at me to "Get some White Castle" and in my best Hick Missouri Accent I yelled back "I'M Gunnnnnnnaaaa...." and I most certainly did. After purchasing a rediculous amount of white castle (Smell What You Crave) and more beer we returned to the suites and partied. The wedding was not until 4 the next day so we had plenty of time. At least that was our justification.

I awoke the next day sitting in the same position I had been in the night before and in the same clothes. Apparently, White Castle and lots of alcohol is a recipe for passing out. After lounging around for a bit I got ready for the wedding and we shuttled over. I think we must have taken a million photos in the church leading up to the ceremony.

The ceremony was very brief, but it was perfect and very beautiful. Beth looked stunning in her ivory gown. We wore black vest with magenta ties. The bridesmaids all wore Magenta dresses. I have to say it was a bit surreal watching one of my best guy friends get married, but I am so happy for Ryan and Beth. They are the perfect compliment to one another.

Following the ceremony it was time for more pictures but not before cracking open a few and relaxing. It felt like we had been in that monkey suit forever. We shuttled over to the Country Club for the reception and they were brave enough to let us drive golf carts around for more pictures. Luckily we were not innebriated at this point or that could have gotten ugly.

The reception was also very picturesque. The room we were in overlooked the entire golf course and even though it was a bit overcast for most of the day the clouds lifted just in time. I have to say that the reception felt a bit like a high school reunion. I saw people I had not seen in years, but it was great to catch up and reminisce. We all shared stories from some of our crazier days....not that any of us are any more grown up than we used to be.

After the reception concluded we returned to the hotel for even more partying and celebrating.

The next day I picked up my dog and hustled it back to Chicago in an effort to make it to Chicago Pride. Due to an untimely accident in the parade I made it in time. I wandered down Broadway and up to Halsted. Then it started to rain. rain on Pride....apparently it is the first time in 20 years. But you know everyone took it in stride. C'mon gays and water? It just added to the overall atmosphere. I wandered around with Cole for a while and then we headed our seperate ways. I was exhausted from what essentially was a weekend long party along with 800 miles worth of driving. In the end it was all worth it though, and made for some great stories.