Tying the family knot

By special guest Todd Razor

I haven’t been to a wedding for a while – especially one in which I was really looking forward to attending – until this past weekend.

On Saturday, my oldest niece married her high school sweetheart, an upstanding young man she had been dating for four years.

I’d been anticipating the event for several months, but it wasn’t until the rehearsal dinner that it really hit me just how excited I was for them and our family.

It was a sweet reminder of just how important family really is and it struck me just how uninhibited people and children tend to become around nuptial engagements.

Hearing my brother, one of the most stoic people that I have ever known, speak at Friday’s dinner and the following day at the ceremony; watching the beautiful bride, my 20-year-old commonsensical niece, all grown up, choke back tears as she thanked her best friends for all the support they have shown; and listening to the groom – whom in the four years I have known him has barely glued more than two sentences together in my presence – give a full speech in front of about 200 guests, was a big deal.

My brother and his wife danced more that night than they have during their entire marriage of more than 20 years. The kids in attendance streamed out onto the dance floor, hamming it up during the fast songs and sitting, watching and waiting during the slow ones – perhaps in awe or anticipation of the sweet affection shown by the adults embracing one another.

One seven-year-old girl, Hannah, the officiating pastor’s daughter, whom I hadn’t seen in almost three years, made a special impression by immediately connecting with my date.

Had I not cut in, she probably would have danced with my girlfriend more than I did.

I had a blast that night, and experienced a mix of emotion rarely felt. Sober, but intoxicated with the entire encounter, I danced for more than an hour straight with my girl, which, incidentally, garnered a big thank you from the DJs when the night finally came to a close for making their job easier.

Not only was I able to make a connection with my significant other, but I also got to dance with my two nieces that evening, perhaps one of the last opportunities I will have to be that close to the girls I have watched grow from babies, to teenagers, to fine young ladies with great hopes and great futures.

As an usher, the affair also gave me the chance to dress to the nines, which is always fun.

I’m so thankful they chose to include me in their big day and would like to wish them, and all the other newly or soon-to-be married couples out there the best.