While I understand that for many blogging is an opportunity to transcend editorial constraints and write about self… I usually find it all the more enjoyable to simply post about those things that move me and see if they move you too – and then something happens and I simply need to readjust my own rules as it is too special for me not to share and make comment.
About three years ago I remember posting as a FaceBook status stating that, “Anyone who says their wedding day is the best day of their life has never had a vending machine unexpectedly drop two candy bars for the price of one…” And then I met Dennis. We live without apology and although some might argue my life is plastered across the Digital Highway I would add … You are correct, but that is merely snapshot of my life. My meals, my travels, the sidebars that add to an extraordinary and blessed life but they do not define me.
…And then I met Dennis and with him came four remarkable sons who have become my Stepsons lovingly referred to as my “Stepsomethings” and me their “Stepdude”.
To say that last weekend’s nuptials were not “awesome” would be an understatement and to say how I yearned to strap a GoPro to my head and stream it live is for another post. BUT what follows was unexpected and created a shift within me that opened my mind and my heart so I wanted to share it with you. Love is apolitical, family is deliciously imperfect and life does not happen in a straight line. For all these reasons and so many more I am the happiest man on earth !
====
Here is a post from my Stepson Paul an “awesome” guy. Read it all on his little space in the world
This past weekend I had the privilege to watch two individuals vow their love for one another. I honestly couldn’t be happier for two incredible people who deserve happiness. It’s kind of strange to think about how this all came to be. How time just flew by to this very moment. To really understand what I’m talking about I need to open up and take you down memory lane for a brief couple of sentences. When I was in the 7th grade my mother and father decided it would be in their best interest to separate and shortly after that my father came out of the closet. Now at the time I really didn’t know how to process the situation. How does a young kid understand that his father is gay and his parents aren’t going to be together anymore. My mother and father always taught me to accept people for who they are and that is exactly what did and still do. I love my father very much and wouldn’t change anything about him. I wrote a post about how my parents made me who I am today and without them both I wouldn’t be nearly as awesome. My father has supported me my entire life and I couldn’t be happier standing by his side while he held the hands of a man he loves deeply.
The ceremony was held on the beach in Ft. Lauderdale with an audience of about 20 (not including the public) close friends and family. My brothers and I each had a task to accomplish as “Best Men”. Yes, even though I am the favorite child my dad could not just choose one best man. Now I’m just kidding, I’m well aware that all my dads boys are his favorite; I just like to mess with my brothers. Mike was given the duty as Ring Bearer and of course he nailed it. He passed rings out like a straight boss and he didn’t drop one in the sand. Good job bro! Adam was in charge of the sand. That’s right, Adam was the sandman. Now, you’re probably asking yourself what does that actually mean. Well, there were three glasses filled with sand and one empty vessel. Each member from both sides of the family went around and poured some sand into the empty container until the two grooms topped it off joining both families together. And somehow Adam was in charge of that. That’s alright he nailed it too. Jon, was the man who got to sign the official marriage certificate. He busted out his 64 pack of Crayola and signed that document without hesitation. I want to say he used the color Macaroni and Cheese, but only he really knows. I was given the duty of the toast. Typical, give Paul the hardest of the jobs. The job that involves getting up a talking in front of people. Awesome. I must say though it went pretty well. My life goal of finding ways to make my parents cry in a positive way was achieved once again. Dad couldn’t hold back the tears.