Print "NS Google WEDDING (rehearsal too)"

Ok, fast forwarding through last week, because Monday through Wednesday were quite ordinary, except going to dinner with my mom and brother on Tuesday, which was awesome! I really miss my madre.

(Also, if this seems a little foggy, it's because a of stuff happened!)

Thursday was the rehearsal for the wedding. I still had class and what not, so I was just a wee-bit rushed. =D

I went to my 9:30 Research class, then had lunch with Jacob, Norman, and Enrique. After that, I waited around till about 1:30, to head over to ENS to turn in my calculus homework early so I wouldn't have to go to my 5:00 discussion. I found my TA at 1:55, and hurried across campus to my Logic discussion. We turned in homework, went over a few things, and had a quiz, so it's a good thing I went to that.

As soon as I left the discussion I ran to my room, dropped my stuff off, and went out to my car. Here's what I was thinking I was gonna do, I was gonna go to the rehearsal, then the dinner, then hang for a while, then head back to UT and make my 8:00 Calculus class. Needless to say, that was sorta wishful thinking in a way. I never made it back to my dorm, and I would have been much better off had I brought my things with me.

Anyway, I got to my car, and called my mom telling her I was heading out to the hotel. She told me to call my sister when I was near. So when I got close to the hotel I called Linz, and had a typical conversation that was something like the following:
"Yo sista!"
"What?"
"What chu doin?"
"Nuthin..."
"You ready for this?"
"Are you here?"
"About to park."
"I don't see you."
"I'm near dad sorta."
"I don't... I see you! I'm going back inside."
"I'll see ya in a bit! =D" (Yes, I do smile when I'm talking to someone on the phone just like I do when I would be talking to you in person, also I do the same when texting. =D )

I walked in the hotel and got ambushed by my sister and then saw Erik over in one of the chairs and said hey to him. Lindsey then decided to sit on me, so my dad wouldn't know I was there... He thought she was sitting on Mrs. Evans. =P

After my father came in, I followed Erik and got to say hi to his father. I haven't seen their family in a long time, and it was nice getting to see the two of them again. I made it back to the front, and my brother, and mom, and cousin Shaun were all in the lobby, so I got to say hi to all of them. Jessica's grandma's husband was also in the lobby so I got to say hi to him as well, before heading upstairs. As we were walking down the hall Erik might have popped out, and then Ben was there, and it was this crazy reunion sort of deal.

After a bit mom had me drive Lindsey over to this non-existent Walmart so Shaun and I could find her a nice shirt to wear at the rehearsal. We found a Bealls (?) and a nice polo shirt that she liked. We got back to the hotel, and still had a bit of time to kill, so Erik came over to Shaun's room with me, and we played some Smash Bros before we had to head out to the rehearsal.

I went out with my parents, and we got to do some introductions for Linz and my mom who hadn't gotten to meet as much of the family as dad or I had met. For example, Sarah and Lindsey finally met. They really are the same person!

Sarah: We're nothing alike.
Lindsey: Yea, nothing alike.
Sarah: *tells some joke*
Lindsey: THAT'S HILARIOUS! I mean, no, it isn't. we're nothing alike.
Sarah: I hate you.
Lindsey: I hate you too!

Same people, I promise. Jessica's dad swears they weren't separated a birth, but I think he's just saying that. Haha. =P

At the rehearsal they lined us all up, and told us approximately how we'd walk down. As part of the Groomsmen, when it was our turn we'd walk out on to the steps, and then turn back around and face the Satellite dish, while we waited for the bridesmaid to walk out. When they did we would greet them, and then escort them down the aisle, before separating in front of Charlie who was already down there.

The first time she set us up I was on the top step, but they realized that since I was the best man I needed to be on the bottom step, so we flipped ourselves around. I was then stuck staring at Ben's shoulder which completely blocked my view of the satellite dish. =P

It worked though, haha. When we did this I got to meet Michelle, and I say met loosely, because we had met before at Jessica's graduation, where she told me, "Everyone at UT is stuck up" when it became known that I was going to attend UT in the fall. She's actually really awesome though! We joked about how we were walking, and I don't know which one of us helped the other with our nerves, because I don't know who was more nervous, but together I think we got rid of them.

After we ran through the timed part of the wedding we all packed up and headed out to Salt Grass Steakhouse. We got there first, so I didn't want to sit somewhere unsure of where everyone else was going to be sitting, so I opted to be the doorman. =D

I got to welcome everyone as they showed up, and point them in the right direction, which I liked, because I got to smile at everyone. The only downside, was that by the time I got around to getting seats I couldn't find any near Charlie, and at first thought Erik and I would have to sit at the grown ups table. Luckily, we found seats at the "kid" table, and sat by Eddie, Julia, Ben, Michelle, and Sarah (who was actually the one who told me I had to sit where I sat.)

It was cool, I got to talk to Eddie/Julia/Ben/Sarah about Computer Science, because the first three had taken a class from the guy who wrote C++ (I think that's right) and Sarah was in a class at her high school. She's a sophomore and if she sticks with it she'll be way ahead of where I am when she reaches this point!

Aside from nerd speak, I got to get to know Michelle a bit better. She was really nice, and uber easy to get along with. We started winding down with dinner, and they started asking Michelle if she was going to give her speech. She was a bit confused, and told them she didn't have her speech ready, and we told them we thought our speeches were the next night.

One of Jessica's Aunts (?) stood up, and she was the first one to talk. She told us how she had fed Jessica, Charles, and their friends when they were in Italy. Then each of the parents, her dad, mom, and my mom all stood up to tell a story about when they were sending their child off to Italy. It was basically the same story, and all the parents were praying for them.

It was fairly obvious to just about everyone as soon as they met their child's significant other that they were meant to be, and it was only a matter of time before they got married. The speeches started to die down, so they told me to give two speeches. I decided I would, and with the help of Lindsey, I stood up and said something along the lines of:

"Ok, so tomorrow I get to give my Best Man Speech, and talk about my brother, so tonight I'd like to talk about Jessica. I know my brother's been there for Lindsey and I our whole lives, and we've watched him in all of his possible love interests. So, when Jessica came to the house for the first time, I remember being really excited because I trusted all of my brother's decisions, and I think Linz was a little bit on edge -"

Linz: "Don't get me wrong here Jessica, I love you, but when you first came I wasn't too excited, because it felt like I was losing my brother."

Me: "I know though that after we met you we immediately loved you. You came into our house, and put up with our craziness, and it was obvious."

Ok, that's not quite it, and it was actually a bit more nervous sounding, and choppy I think. Haha.

Well, after I went Michelle decided to give a quick one as well. A bit like this:

Michelle: "I've known Jessica for 16 years, and she's my sister. I love her to death, and when she went off to Italy she promised me she wouldn't leave me in the single boat (?), which she didn't keep to, but I remember that while she was in Italy she sent me letters. She forgot about them, so I got the first three all in one. I can't find them right now, they're lost in my garage, but I remember parts of them. In the very first one she told me about this guy that she met that she liked, and then made a list of things she liked about him. He's funny, and nice, and (there were some other things, but I don't remember), and I think (I want to say that she said "he might be the one" somewhere in there, but again, a ton happened.)" (She mentioned something about Charlie and Jessica being creepily similar, but I don't remember exactly how that fit in there. =P

Charlie, then gave a speech at the end, and thanked her parents for letting him live in their house for such a long time. He wrapped it all up, and we started to all leave. Oh yea, sometime during the speeches Taylor Swift's Love Story came on, and me and Linz were singing to it since it was basically perfect.

After we all left, the guys got changed to head out to Main Event, Linz included. By the time we got there we had an hour and a half to play games since the laser tag was closed. So, we got two cards and put 60 dollars on each card, with a 20 dollar bonus on each, amounting to a total of 160 dollars. =D

We ran around and played shooters, and all sorts of other games, using up 120 dollars before they completely shut the house down. Jake and I were totally going to own that game too!

Anyway, we headed back home, and tried to stop at McDonalds, which was closed. We then continued home, and Charlie dropped Jake off while the rest of us went to the hotel and played some Melee. Talk about some epicness. =D

Well, Charlie wouldn't let me drive home, so I was forced into staying at the hotel since it was 2 in the morning by this point. Oh, I had decided that I wasn't going to any of my Friday classes way before this. Haha.

In the morning I went and got breakfast before my father drove me back to UT so I could shower and change. I grabbed my laptop, and bathroom essentials, but still didn't have any change of clothes. Silly me. =P

I got back to the hotel, and was there for a bit before my brother got his Groomsmen together to go hang. We ate some Arby's. Food of champs. =P

We joked around about this Juggling league being his surprise he had been telling us about, and we were even squished into a 4 person booth. Thankfully, Charlie and I can fit into tiny spaces. =D

After we ate, Charlie drove us to this park like area. We then got out of his car, and he revealed that he had gotten each of us a nerf gun. AWESOME! So, we all went about assembling our guns, and then battled. Our clips were tiny so we had to reload a lot, but we definitely had a blast.

It started off as a free for all, and then we were all against Shaun, before Shaun and I teamed up against Ben Eddie and Charlie. It was pretty sweet. After we played near the track for a bit we decided to go closer to these trees because they people were giving us funny looks. We played a round of capture the flag with Ben, Charlie, and Eddie versus Shaun and I. Shaun pulled the win out! =D

We then decided to shorten the playing field to this clump of trees with an ammo dump in the middle. We all sorta ran around the trees shooting at each other, with the rule of once you were shot you dropped your clip. It was hard since the playing field was so small, and our last round came down to Shaun and me.

I was out of ammo, and trying to pick up one as I ran around, since I couldn't reach the middle. I even blocked a shot with my gun while running. When he realized that I didn't have any ammo he called for a duel. Five paces, then we turned and shot. We turned and he got the hit in.

We then packed up all our stuff in Charlie's trunk, and headed back to the hotel so we could be at Kindred Oaks at 3. We got all freshened up, and I headed over with Ben and Shaun. We got there, and Shaun brought up a good point about which step he met the two bridesmaids he was escorting. It would be a tight fit, so they decided he would meet them on the next step.

We then went and set up shop in the Men's room, where they have a TV. Some of the girls, Michelle included, were using our bathroom, because they needed it, which was cool, because we didn't. So, we set up the Wii, and put Melee in. We got a bunch of good matches in, and the photographers were making fun of us. We started getting dressed around a bit before 5. We got dressed rather quickly. =D

The vests and ties were an epic green. =D =D I love my brother. He also told me he had a hat that he picked out for me as the Best Man Hat (Black Fedora). I wasn't gonna wear it for the wedding, but I got to wear it for pictures and the reception. If you know me, you know that I absolutely love hats. They're epic, and this one is like uber epic and meaningful.

Next, they got the guys out to go take our pictures, and we got some really cool ones, but we couldn't take them in the usual spot because there was a wasp nest. Someone joked about knocking it down, and Ben leaned in to look at it, and we all jumped back because we thought he was actually going to. Haha.

Before we went away, we got the Ushers, Jake, and Ryan, as well as the Ring Man, Ian, to come take a few pictures with us. We then were exiled to the room so the girls could take their pictures, and Shaun, Eddie, and I went to tag my brother's car. It was pretty fun. I was designated writer, since they all didn't think they had good writing. So, I did the typical "Just Married" as well as "Congraturations" and "Crowd Favorite". Oh, good times! =D

We then went back inside, and talked to Charlie, as well as the preacher, Joey. He was a really cool guy, and we got a little bit before they called us out to line us up. It was starting!

We went out and lined up, and they opened the door, silencing us in the process. The parents went out, then Charlie and Joey, then I lead the guys out on to the steps. Then the girls started coming out, and I got to escort Michelle down. We talked to each other a bit to keep our nerves down. When we got to our respective spots we turned to look back at Lindsey, Ian, and GBaby. Sadly, GBaby started crying, so Ian and Linz walked down without her. =(

Then came the pause, the building intensity while we all waited for Jessica to come out. I half watched for her, and half watched Charlie. As soon as I caught sight of Jess I snapped back to Charlie. He immediately started tearing up, and I started to lose it as well. If I ever had any doubt in my mind about their marriage, which I didn't, it would have been washed away with those tears of his. In fact, thinking back to this moment, and how much he truly feels for her I'm starting to tear up myself.

She was beautiful, and perfect for him, and I don't think anyone would ever be a better match for him. I know that when God made the two of them he knew in the grand scheme of things that they would be together one day. Exactly as he wanted.

I reached up to rub his back. She came down, and her dad handed her off to my brother. The actual wedding went perfectly. I'm not sure what all to say about it, it was... wedding-y, except... Better. =D

After it was over, and we started to leave Michelle and I got together, and we smiled at each other and made our way out. The pictures followed, all of them... Oh gosh, all of them. =P Haha.

The reception was pretty sweet too. We sat around and talked while we waited for Charlie and Jessica. I ended up at the table with Eddie, Julia, Michelle, Shaun, Ben and Linz. It was pretty cool. When they finally opened the food I ran over to get me some. It was Italian themed and I got me some Spaghetti, and Lasagna. All of it tasted great.

It neared time for my speech, and Michelle and I went to the front. I didn't have a glass, and so we had to wait for a second for me to get a glass of water, because I didn't want to drink anything alcoholic, even a watered down margarita. =P

When it came time for my speech it went something like this:

"Hi, for those who don't know me, I'm William Combs, and I have the honor of being ("Speak into the microphone") the Best Man, as well as Charlie's brother. I had planned out what I was going to say up here, but I blanked on it with everything's that's happened, so bear with me. This might get a little bit nerdy for a second though, because the earliest memories I have of my brother are watching him play games and thinking 'He is the coolest person ever! How is he doing all of this?' One of those games was Sonic the Hedgehog. I remember you could play two player, and so I always played as Tails. Tails had to follow Sonic, but sometimes Tails could help Sonic get places easier. Well, I was out in Austin this last weekend, and I stumbled upon this."

I pulled out a Tails plush.

"I want to give this to Charlie in hopes that his hard to reach places will be that much easier to reach now."
("AWWW")
"But seriously, Charlie has been there for me always, and I was watching him when Jessica walked out. I knew, for real, that this was perfect when I saw the tears immediately forming in his eyes. They're perfect for each other, and I love them both. Also, no one told me my brother was marrying a beautiful porcelain doll! And uh... Yea, that's all."

Pass the mic to Michelle.

"Oh yeah, I forgot to do this toast thing"
Charlie: "Here, I got you."

Click glasses together, and take a drink of water.

I can't remember exactly what Michelle said, but remember her mentioning how scary alike they were again. Haha. Shortly after our speeches they called for the first dance. As soon as the music started I started crying. It was Home by Vanessa Carlton, and it was perfect. I was standing next to Lindsey and laid my head on her shoulder, and just cried, because it was perfect, and I know Charlie has been deserving of this for so long. I want to thank Michelle for reaching over and rubbing my back, because it helped a lot.

I'm a nerd, and had to listen to it while writing it, and I can't without crying. That scene will forever come to mind when I hear it. There's is no better song for them than that one. It is them.

The next song was the Father daughter song, and Charlie came over and stood between Linz and me. We were all in tears I'm pretty sure, and when they called for all father/daughters to come to the dance floor we searched for our dad, and couldn't find him. He eventually popped up and danced with Linz. The next dance was the Mother son dance.

Charlie got out there with my mom, and I can't name you the song right now, but it was my mom, and he started crying almost instantly and buried his head in her shoulder. My mom tells me that he said "Mom, she's so beautiful."

=D

They then opened the dance floor, with the first song being the Cupid Shuffle. We all got out there and danced to it. I remember Don't Stop Believing with singing and interpretive dance; Single Ladies with the group of single girls, the line of married women, and the invading force of men; Teach Me How To Dougie (spelling?) where Linz taught Charlie, and eventually a group of us how to Dougie; Love Story; Cha Cha Slide; and many more!

For example, the electric slide. Where I got out in the front and taught everyone how to do the Electric Slide. This version said to close your eyes, and I did, and after a bit I opened them when I heard "Woots!" and other exclamations. I was completely alone on the dance floor. Or, I thought I was, until I turned and saw that Ryan was still out there with me. We finished out the song, and completely owned that floor. =D

There was the cutting of the cake, and it tasted amazing! There was the gelato, which was great! Mexican Vanilla, the best of both worlds! =P

There was the send off, where we lit sparklers and Charlie and Jess ran out to the car under them, and drove off. After they left we all went back and got unchanged, and said some good byes to the other family members that we might not see.

Rangers lost, but that doesn't matter really, because the next day Texas won 20-13 due to illegal substitution on the other teams part. =D

I care about sports... especially since I go to UT and am now part of a UT loving family... =| ... I mean... =)

If you read all of this can you please comment so I can thank you for reading all of this, or if you were at the wedding/rehearsal and I forgot something feel free to comment with it, and I'll gladly put that story in the next post. =D

Thank you!

4014 words! That's crazy!!