Wedding Crushed - Part 1

Wedding Crushed
Part I

Everybody loves a wedding. Lou and Amy have been together for ever. The wedding was just a reason to party. And party we did.

The day started horribly. I had to pick up Ed in Orlando early because of a funeral I was attending. The lady who passed away was a family friend from my mom's church. She was a true saint. She spent 25 yrs as a missionary in Africa with her husband. She just returned to Florida a couple of years ago. In November she was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. Her family gave her a wonderful tribute and there was not a dry eye in the building. Her life’s testimony is something legendary. Although I only met her in passing, I was inspired by the life she lived.

After the funeral I shot home to get packed. I had to grab a haircut also. If you are ever in Deltona, never never never NEVER, go to Keith Barber's. In Jamaica, the barbers are very classy and can really cut. I am new around here so this was a crap shoot. The guy who cut my hair had to be the worse barber I have ever been too. In the middle of cutting my hair, (which took almost an hour) he ran outside to try and wave down a girl pumping gas across the street. This mixed with the fact that he was focused more on the NFL draft than my hair silently irritated me. The last half an hour in the chair I just sat quietly and waited for him to be done. Tip....Yeah right.

After being butchered, I picked up Dirk & Ed and we were off. Jacksonville was about a two hour ride away and I had been delegated to do the driving this time. Ed is a massive size man and Dirk is no small fry either. Taking Dirk's Tiburon or Ed's truck was out of the question. We were all staying in the same room anyway so it was a fun road trip. Once we got checked into the Downtown Wyndham, we set off to the rehearsal dinner. Even though none of us were in the wedding, Lou invited us because we are all like family. Jurgen (Dirk's brother) represented "The Crew" in the wedding. We were all very close in high school and have remained very close to this day. Lou could not have us al in the wedding so Jurgen was selectedelegate delagate. This was awesome for me as I could just sit back and enjoy. The dinner was great. Mazziano's is a awesome eatery. We also were given 3 drink tickets which we took full advantage of. This was the beginning of a very long night.

After dinner we returned to the hotel. We all started pounding on the booze Lou passed out as gifts to the wedding party. In Lou's room Jurgen got lit up. This was not as bad as his "I am a Rhino" episode, but he was very entertaining to watch. Lou kicked us out 11 and we headed over to the bar were he and Amy work. There the drinks kept coming. I started slow, as I tried to pace myself. Didn't happen. Ed is a bartender also and started ordering shots all around. A couple of toast later and I was toasted.

There was a band playing who was something like "Tenacious D". They played really well and were also funny. Being the only black guy in the bar made me feel a little uncomfortable at first because I hate feeling isolated. Normally when I go out I like to go places that have a good mix. This place was cool though, so I quickly blended in to the scene. The band started to play so me hip hop and reggae. I am a sucker for music and everytime I say that I am not going to dance...I end up an the floor. Jurgen also tries to get the latest dance moves from me every time we go out. We became dancing fools. As always the ladies showed a brotha some love on the dance for as well. The night was going great. Seeing my friends again was awesome. Between dinner, drinks and dancing, we all had a blast. Kelly and Eleana (Jurgen & Chris's wives) were also there. They were also having a good time as the boyz began behaving badly. It is such a great thing to have the people you grew up with as close friends. We are all such kids once we get out. I can't imagine growing up any other way. A moments like this, are the entire reason I moved back home. As the night progressed, I found myself very glad not to be driving home. I was smashed.

For some reason, I started making more and more eye contact with the band. I saw the mic and knew it was calling. As last call for drinks was made, the band asked for request. I took leap of faith."Redemption Song" I shouted. He nodded and agreed if I returned with a shot."No Problem" A shot of Patron and the haunting intro was being strummed. This is by far one of my favorite songs of all time. For some reason I inched closer and closer the mic. I was music major in college and have a decent voice, but I am no Bob Marley. With enough liquid courage, I slid over to the mic and began to belt it out. My friends began to laugh and chuckle as the "Ol Oliver" was back on stage!! The band began to laugh also as I mixed up a few words here and there. I am a bad Jamaican!!

After my rendition, it was time to go. We all were done and it was closing time. We scooted over to the hotel and with the wedding party, made some night moves!! Dirk and Derrick made friends with some very nice bridesmaids and the wedding crash was on!! As for me I retired to the room. My experience tells me that I am too old to be getting crazy the night before a wedding, I decided to chill. This was just the beginning of long weekend, I needed to pace myself. Didn't happen.

Showin Ed some loves!!!