There is no set definition for love. Love has so many meanings.
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What can I say about Katelynne?
First time I met Katelynne, I saw a pretty glamorous lady... she looks like she should be on the cover of Vogue magazine because she has great fashion sense.
I've always liked Katelynne ever since I met her back in 2013 (I was 26 then). She raised a few doubts about me initially but I said: Your friend will be well taken care of, I promise you. I won her over with some laughs.
I have Katelynne as a right-handed pitcher (she hits 100mph on the radar gun and a serious 12/6 curve) in Super Mega Baseball 3. I tried to make the character look like her and somehow, I succeeded. I gave her the number 50 because personally, that's what number I'd picture her donning if she had played a sport.
Initially, she did raise a few doubts to Joanna about me, but I won her heart over showing that I could be a good man and eventually a good future husband. Katelynne is very even-tempered (I've only seen her mad... maybe once?), has smarts, beauty, and Hollywood good-looks. Katelynne has a swell taste for design too.
However she also learned that she is the only girl I know who can uproot the mighty sequoia in a few seconds when she's enraged for some odd reason. I don't think I've ever made her upset thankfully. My favorite catchphrase from her is: "Uhhhhhh....." whenever someone says something completely stupid.
Katelynne's a strong woman, model citizen, caring person, and upstanding in her beliefs. Her caring goes above and beyond the call.
Perfect example: 2017 was a bad year when I lost a lot of family. Katelynne always gave me good thoughts and kept me cheered up during that horrifying time in my life. She did the same for Jo when Jo lost family too like Nansy and Uncle Jimmy.
Katelynne also helped out with Blake when he was just a young tot running around "The Sunset" restaurant during the Leuschner-Frazier Rehearsal Dinner. Right then and there, I saw the foreshadowing of a brilliant mother when the time would come and it did come. Hence Finn.
Of course she made friends with my parents real fast. But who doesn't like my mom and dad, come on now...
Katelynne reminds me of three great women. Marilyn Monroe because of good looks and her love of style. Audrey Hepburn because of her bright smile that lights up even the darkest of rooms and in the darkest of times. Finally, Geena Davis, she's a tough ol' gal (Dottie Hinson-like).
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Joe, on other hand, him and I talked up a storm about politics but on the same token, we also bonded over a few things like sports and stuff. We caught on pretty quickly about our likes and dislikes.
At the bachelor party, the initial thought that I wasn't going to be able to go but I jumped right back in after I came into some good luck. Joe said I was crazy for driving a car to Tennessee but I reiterated to him: Flying's out, America's waiting, you got to get behind a wheel.
Initially Joe thought I didn't have a good time at the bachelor party but at least Katelynne explained to him that I'm not the party animal type and that she was sure that his friends enjoyed having me around as much as I liked talking to them. Joe thought I didn't have a good time but I did, I really did have a good time. Just wanted to see places. I'm incredibly quiet and not a big socializing sort.
Joe is the combination of 3 people. General Douglas MacArthur, a brilliant and tactful leader. Tim Allen for his funny and handyman side (yes, Tim Allen, despite him being clumsy and accident-prone on Home Improvement, he is actually quite the handyman in real life). Finally, James Avery (Philip Banks) for that tough as nails interior but a fiercely devoted family man.
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Beforehand, during the rehearsal, Aunt Rita and I were paling around and doing some "Color Commentating" during the rehearsal which I thought was pretty funny.
The rehearsal dinner saw me meeting the bridesmaids for the first time and I thanked them for helping where they could with the bachelorette party and giving Joanna a good time too. Putting max emphasis on Katelynne was paramount and they succeeded.
It was opening night for the Capitals too. Rats, Washington lost...
The next day, I delivered Jo to the bridal suite, said hello to Katelynne, told them to have fun today, and I walked out to... go somewhere...
I went to a historic place called "Doyle's Dinner" for breakfast. Now, talk about your good food! For $20, I got myself some chipped beef and scrapple. Now these weren't small rectangles of scrapple! THIS WAS BIG THICK SCRAPPLE! It's a Maryland thing ya'll. As I finished breakfast, what was I going to do with myself?
I decided to go to Ocean City and just hang out for a bit. The corvette convention was in town so naturally by distinction I had my corvette hat on. It was my first time on Route 90 in nearly 10 years.
I really didn't want to walk up the boardwalk or anything, just go to a few stores you know. I'd save the boardwalk for Saturday if we really wanted to go there.
I came home, took a nap, recharged until 3:00, and then it was time to prepare for the task at hand... well... there was just one problem... my suit jacket didn't feel right but there wasn't time for a fix.
Others arrived at the house for changing and so on and I had to be the last one out to lock up. At 4:40, we were all out and we made our way to the ceremony.
As I arrived at the wedding on the beach, Charles told me to go to the back because Joanna wanted something. She didn't. I immediately saw Katelynne and said in my head: "WOW!!!!!!!" and I personally wanted to cry myself because she looked amazing. I had my aviators on so they couldn't see I was somewhat in tears. She was seated on a stool looking like she was giving orders. Colonel Lowensen, I presume?
Christine even said I looked dapper even though the tux jacket wasn't fitting properly. Jo was happy to see me but I knew she was busy.
I took my seat next to my in-laws saying to myself: "Perfect position." I also had to keep the sunlight out on my mother-in-law's face, so I said: "I'll be that solar eclipse."
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The ceremony was rather quick but the sun was shining brightly and the temperature perfect.
Katelynne and Joe's vows were the highlight. They did terrific. You couldn't help but smile.
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At the cocktail hour. I pretty much minded my own P's and Q's until the bridal party showed up. Which took a bit. But again, I was putting down Arnold Palmers... I talked with a few folks.
I remembered that I was not drinking that evening and kept Rule 20 in place throughout. Jo said I could have one but I said: "The rule is: If I am driving? I am not drinking."
I think overall, the most touching image of the evening...? Well, there's so many. But the speech from Charles and Christine warmed everyone's hearts to maximum.
I'm going to dub that speech: "The Union of Family." - I really should've recorded it.
The food was supremely well done and I was amazingly impressed how it all turned out. Salad was fine, just could've used a bit more dressing.
I did impart one thing to her during the reception: Always date your husband like it is your first date.
All in all, you couldn't have asked the Lord Almighty for better weather, the sunset finish of the wedding, and kicking out them upset homecoming kids who were like "Who the hell has a wedding on a Friday...?"
Easy, a lot of engaged couples do.
I couldn't contain my laughter when we managed to do that.
Personally, I thanked God for bringing Katelynne and Joe together.
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During that weekend, here's what I can honestly say:
1. Personally, it was probably one of the best weddings I've ever attended in my life. It was a small group, and it was an enjoyable and memorable experience.
2. I told Katelynne that she can think of herself as a piece of my family now too as another sister is nice to have.
3. Now I'm truly not the party animal type. When I am at a wedding I am there to have a good time and not act like a weirdo. I'm just your every day, run-of-the-mill goofball. Evidenced by one picture that will show when the professional pictures come out.
5. I think the highlight of my night was while I know I was there to have fun? I certainly did. I had a lot of fun and I actually talked with people even though I usually stay quiet and mind my own. I also got to say that it did take some iron will to be a gentleman and ask one of the bridesmaids (Angel) if she wanted to dance with me. Well the gentlemanly charm that no other woman saw for the longest time (minus Jo), it worked this time. It was nice to have a slow dance with Angel. She's good people.
8. Cook Out burgers are the best and worth the wait. $20 will get you 2 cookout trays! Glad we stopped there for food! :)
9. Saturday in OC was a smash hit. Hadn't been to Thrasher's in years but yes, they still have good French Fries. Malt vinegar and Salt. Also going to the arcades and just having a nice leisurely walk with Joanna. The weather was excellent and it was great fun too.
10. We got to see Katelynne before she left for her honeymoon because she forgot her jacket and face wash. Hope they had a lot of fun on their honeymoon.
11. Writing something like this or anything for that matter is very difficult because you never know the reaction you will get.
12. I'm trying to get Finn to like the Yoshi voice but he always cries when he hears it. Yoshies are fun and love fruit!
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Well folks... I wrote this because you know what, Katelynne's truly one of the greats in my inner circle of friends with Courtney, Tara, Crystal, and others. Katelynne holds the distinction of being one of my personal favorites to make a short story out of.
