« cherubic | Main | pithy but true »
August 08, 2005
to the newlyweds
Walking through today in a daze. . .
just very tired because yesterday we helped to get Jake and Amanda married off and I was Jake's best man.
I was actually very surprised to be asked to be his best man. Not because we haven't been friends a long time (we have, longer than any other friend of mine, personally) but to some extent since we got into college, Jake's path and my path has diverged somewhat.
Up until that point, we were pretty tight. With church and school, we hung out together 6 days a week. We were doubles partners on the high school tennis team, we were in all the same classes, we even took the Berkeley summer program together. Our families took 2 vacations together while we were in high school, which was so fun because at that time in your life, "Family vacations" is a dirty word, but if you are told that your best friend's family is coming along, that's pretty cool. Plus Yvette (his sister) and Peggy (my sister) got along famously too.
Once we got to college, I started on a different path, I guess. Part of it was because of all the freedom I hadn't had before and I didn't know how to handle it.
"You mean, I *don't* have to go to class, at all?"
"I can stay up as late as I want, and no one is going to say anything?"
It was mind-blowing, especially to a kid whose limits were very parent-driven. And probably not the best thing, but you have to grow up sometime.
Jake, in the meantime, stayed the course and in his way, tried his best to check up on me. We'd meet up every so often and he'd gently ask how I was doing and remind me that once upon a time, I wanted to be a doctor (Ah so long ago). He became active in InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and matured into a godly man. He worked his butt off to become a physical therapist and now, an athletic trainer. He has never been judgemental of me, or asked things in a way that made me tell him to buzz off. Which means he is pretty good, because I get pretty prickly when I feel I'm being criticized sometimes.
This guy has been a true friend to me, and I know he'll be a wonderful husband for Amanda. While I don't know her as well, I know that they share a very special connection and it was touching to see the emotion passing between the two of them last night. I almost lost it a few times, with both her parents nearly breaking down as they spoke, and with Amanda surprising Jake with a song and then crying afterwards in his arms.
Congratulations to both of you.
Posted by spoof747 at August 8, 2005 12:58 PM
Comments
what am I, chopped liver!?!?!?
Seriously, I only met him twice, but congratulations to Jake and Amanda.
Posted by: DK at August 9, 2005 10:13 PM