Foster Boy Ties The Knot

 Long time, no see. The process of moving has totally overtaken my life, energy and intellectual capital. I'm barely keeping my head above water in the sea of overwhelm. I have this plan in my mind where once the moving truck pulls away the pressure of a deadline will be off and I can return to writing, reading and being a friend.

Tom & Alexa

I had a brief escape to Chicago last weekend for the much anticipated wedding of my son's best friend whom I fondly refer to as Foster Boy (aka Tom-Ass, Foster Son or Tall Boy). He's smart, industrious and full of fun. Sometimes too much fun, to the point of obnoxiousness. He helped me set up my new cell phone years ago. Then he moved to Japan but since he had conveniently set up my password he also had access. It wasn't unusual for my phone greeting to be changed to the most outrageous message according to Tom's whim.But that is the classic Tom we all know and love.

He and his bride, Alexa met while students at University of Michigan. While Tom was working in Japan my son was Alexa's Foster Boyfriend, taking her to her sorority events and pulling the dreaded duty of accompanying her to many a Blackhawks hockey game. I've seen her practically make grown men cry when she's in action as the world's most rabid hockey fan.

Beautiful Walloon Lake

My son and the groom have been best buds since their teen years, living out an idyllic summer existence on Walloon Lake in Northern Michigan. The band of boys (and later sisters and girlfriends) boated around the lake most of the summer in a pack, they took their water sports seriously.Always in search of the glassy flat surface in which they could do some extreme water skiing.

Tom, being the youngest in his family had a natural affinity for babies and we had them in big supply for a few years. The small rustic guest cottage in the back of our property was naturally  a big attraction for all the teens on the lake. In exchange for chores and babysitting I hosted dinner for the roving pack of 6-8 boys every Thursday. Many of the boys family's joined the program and these guys ate together like kings several nights a week.

Although they are spread out geographically, a few of the original pack members were at the wedding:

 

Scott with his lovely fiance Kristy

My son Michael with Peyton

 Unfortunately adult hood leaves them unable to spend summers on the lake.These guys worked hard, played hard and left a legend behind on the lake that I don't think has been equaled as of yet. Last summer on a brief visit to Northern Michigan I met a woman who told me a tale of a bunch of fanatic waterskiing boys who frequented her cove to take advantage of the smooth as glass water in the evening. She could not believe her eyes when they zipped by her property NAKED waterskiing.

I did not lay claim to them being any relation to me. I just asked, "by any chance was it a white and red Mastercraft ski boat?" When she confirmed that it was I just responded, "oh yeah, that was a wild bunch". Now that brides and future babies are on the horizon I hope they have all developed some sense of caution and survival.

The Prince (pictured here with his big sis) has become a semi-professional wedding attendant. "Always a bridesmaid, never a bride" has been the theme for several years. After his best man gig for Foster Boy he has another wedding this summer. When a great deal came along, he decided to bite the bullet and just buy a tux.

2 separate bachelor party events were part of the obligations this spring, one in Miami and one in Las Vegas. I noticed there were pictures immediately posted on Face book from the Miami deep sea fishing expedition, but I have yet to hear a peep about the last one (not surprising due to the what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas thing) but I swear the boy has not been quite right since his return.

After observing the hijinx of several of the Northwestern University grad students at the wedding, I'm pretty sure I don't want to know what happened in Vegas.

The Beaumont Texas Gang

I did find out our clan had some stiff competition for the "we actually enjoy hanging together " family award. The above brother-sister trio may look quite respectable and inconspicuous but don't let that fool you. They were absolute dancing fools.  Their mother was a brilliant ring leader who gave me a serious run for my money.Much to my surprise this was what  we all went crazy dancing to for the last song of the night. Who would have thought hidden in these hard driving men were Gleeks? My children do their best to make me look good on the dance floor but I think I have been outdone by that Texas gang.

Dancing with the Pastry (or Party) Princess

  Home again this week it's a full court press to finish packing for the big move to Austin. I'm truthfully ready to be done with the whole moving thing and there is still so much to do. I'm looking forward to being able to post all the stories that I have only had time to write in my mind. There, residing in my noggin are some brilliant observations about what's happening in the world outside my door.

The Mayor & the best man