They're starting to come....

Well, family and friends are starting to arrive from near and far....

We've heard from out of town family and friends, they are here or in the area. tonight and tomorrow, more will come. Is this getting exciting or what?

Nikki and Freddie have finally begun to accept the train is on the track - they can't change it or slow it down. All systems are go - whether it rains or snows....we are having a wedding on Saturday and its gonna be great!!!!

They are both so cute, though, they worry about every little detail. They want us to enjoy every part of this (they're so young...they don't even know...we already are...and absolutely always will!)

So, everyone, come on in.....the train's a coming

Stalking the weather...

Is that a funny line?

Nikki is stalking the weather....(to see what its gonna be).

Hey, it could be a hurricane outside, but in my heart it will be the most beautiful day ever.

No more Saturdays for the team

Wow, huh?

There will be no more Saturdays when Nikki and Freddie go to sleep and not be married. The emotional import is starting to really hit me.

I'm so proud of both of them.

Nikki and Freddie have attended to every detail of this thing. They are amazing - the attention to detail - the thought, consideration and love that has gone into every part of it. From the invitations.....to the programs....to the seating - so much time has been invested to make sure everyone enjoys themselves next Saturday....the rehearsal dinner....the shuttle - amazing.

Watching them work together as a team...Freddie does some things well and Nikki does some things well and together....well, one of them has an idea and the other picks up on it and suggests a change, an improvement and then the first tweaks it a bit more and the end product is fantastic.

They know something that I forgot....that this should be memorable...for everyone. There are few times in your life that stand out...that you actually really remember. Last Tuesday's breakfast? No. But, this....well, it's different....and it will be memorable.

A big Saturday for the team...

Ecclesia Sanctus Canonus

St. Augustine Church

Happened by St. Augustine's Church recently. I forgot how long and traditional it is. The white pillars, the oak doors, the round sacristy, the ornate alter.

That's where I was baptized, confirmed, received my first communion...prayed for forgiveness from impure thoughts and giggled from peppermint schnapps at midnight mass many Christmases ago. My greatest memories were during grammar school - St. Augustine's School, an alter boy...when English Leather was the scent and the Monkees were the sound.

How wonderful it will be to see Nikki and Freddie take their vows in that church. How classic and memorable....

Stop it, stop it, stop it!

Nothing else

Joanne said it this morning - oh my God - there's nothing else before the wedding. The shower's done; the stag's done....

It's almost like....as long as there is another event, the wedding is still a way's off. Now, with nothing left - its coming - its coming. 2 weeks. Gulp.

Last night was Freddie's stag - I am overwhelmed at the friendship and support I saw there. Freddie's family and friends worked like Taiwanese piece workers - they never stopped, heads down -working-working -filling and refilling food trays, picking up cups and plates, selling raffle tickets, pouring drinks....what fantastic family and friends Freddie has. How lucky he is.

And I was impressed with the number of my friends and family who made the trek to the Elk's Pond - it was not just around the corner - but they came. All I could say this morning was how grateful I am to all the people I care about coming to the stag and showing me they care about me and my daughter.

Every one of them - I won't forget it. and those of you that didn't come...well, all I can say is don't get arrested except during business hours....

Golf Day - Stag Night

Today was a golf day - it was the end of the season tournament for the City of Hartford league that I was lucky enough to be invited in (certainly not for my skill). I get to play with my good friend Danny as a partner and with a bunch of other good guys.

We had the tournament and then a dinner and trophies and door prizes; a little golf league with 30 or so guys, rubber chicken dinner, bad jokes and odd prizes (one guy won a bag of zip ties, Danny won a car vac) - but I thoroughly enjoyed it....I really enjoyed it....it was one of those times-of-our-lives moments.

All these moments, the wedding preparations, mornings over coffee, a good phone call with a client, a legal revelation....what a good life it is. So many times we only see the darkness...when all around us is light. Hey, big guy, thanks for all the light (and the rubber chickens in my life).

Jo says Freddie's been cooking all day for the stag....him cooking...for his own stag - what a great kid (what a frugal kid - boy are he and Nikki gonna have some great conversations....). It'll be good to see my friends and Freddie's family and friends....it'll be a fun stag.

Hey, I've never been the father-in-law of the stag guy!
(I'll let you know how it goes...)