How Soon is Now?

Dear Friends,

They say life happens when you’re making plans.  I planned to write/blog more over the past year, but that didn’t happen. To say I was preoccupied is a bit of an understatement.  Many of you know what’s been going on, but some of you don’t.  So what was I doing instead of writing? Let’s take a look at the checklist:

Going to exotic places like Blue Ridge, Denver, Jamaica, Dallas, Speedway USA, and Buc-ee’s? Check

Hoarding Bourbon? Check

Visiting one of those fancy jewelry stores? Check

Proposing to my girlfriend? Check

Getting promoted at work?  Check

Planning a destination wedding in less than 90 days? Check

Sell my home for the last 15 years? Check

Getting married in Jamaica? In 22 days.

Celebrating with everyone else? In 44 days

As you can see from my list, I’ve been busy. Everything I just listed has happened since late January. There are great stories behind each one of these checkmarks, but I just haven’t found the time nor energy to sit down and write about them. If my stories about walking around for hours on end didn’t convince you that I was a glutton for punishment, maybe this list will.  I do not recommend doing “all the things” at once, but I wouldn’t trade my experiences for anything. So let me try and answer some questions I’ve been getting asked lately.

Why a destination wedding?

The idea of a destination wedding was born out of the idea of keeping things simple.  My fiancé, Lora, did not want a big wedding and neither did I.  Two of our dear friends had a destination wedding in Jamaica which we attended, and it sold us on the idea.  We immediately booked our wedding less than 90 days out back in Jamaica. To our very pleasant surprise, 18 of our friends and family will be joining us in Jamaica. We are getting married on July 22, at 3 p.m. at the over the water chapel at Sandals, Ochos Rios, Jamaica. 

We are currently working on ways for our friends and family back at home to witness the event live. Who doesn’t love a zoom meeting?

90 Days, that seems quick, is there something we should know?

Yes, it’s quick.  We would have done it in 60 days or less if it had just been just us.  Is there something you should know? No. We just didn’t see a reason for putting it off for months or even a year.  Not our style. 

90 Days, are y’all crazy?

That’s debatable. I can neither confirm nor deny.

Are you going to do anything back here to celebrate?

Did you not read the checklist?!?!  44 days. To be fair, I wasn’t clear about that on the checklist.  No, we haven’t sent out invitations yet. Just chill. Still working out all the fine details like if there is going to be a slip’n slide and/or karaoke. 

Are y’all registered anywhere?

Ah, the most important question!  No.  We feel very fortunate in that we have had all of our needs and most of our wants met. In fact, I gave away most of my non-sentimental items when I moved out of my house earlier this month. Instead, we want to do something very different to celebrate our marriage. We’ve been working with the University of Montevallo to set up and endow a scholarship in the Social Work Program. Montevallo has always held a very special place in my heart and Lora is fond of the place herself. I’m a proud graduate of the program and I wouldn’t be where I am today without the many lessons I learned from my professors, instructors, and peers. 

How can I donate?

Great question!  We are currently working to get everything set up. That information will likely go out later next month, maybe with reception invitations.

Are you really going to try and run 500 miles for another fundraiser?

Where did this question come from? Who have you been talking to? Why would anyone in there right or even their wrong mind want to spend 10 days trying to cover 500 miles?  That’s like 50 miles a day for over a week! What would my soon to be wife say about this? Wait… how big is the belt buckle?

I think I’ve answered enough questions for this blog post. Please join me again in 6 months when I still remember that I have this thing active. Until then, enjoy this wonderful music video from the 1980’s supergroup Europe.