|December 19, 2015|

This was the day of my brother and his new wife's wedding. I had stayed with my brother, Logan, for a few days to spend some time together and help prepare for the wedding. The days before hadn't been the easiest. On the day of the rehearsal, I was given the key to the church for the rehearsal dinner and was supposed to be there at 10 AM to let in our friends who were cooking the meal (typical Best Man duties). When I woke up at 10:47, I had 22 missed calls, 17 text messages, and 4 very angry voicemails. I had forgotten to set an alarm and my ringer. That hiccup was quickly fixed, but I promised to do everything asked of me that day to the “T.”

Back to the day of the wedding. It was the most stressed I had ever been. Two groomsmen lost their dress socks an hour and a half before the ceremony. The bride, the bridesmaids, and the groomsmen were trying to take pictures in the Collierville Square in the middle of "Meet Santa." I was trying to plan a surprise during the kiss where I would hold mistletoe over Logan and Rebecca and get permission from all the important people AND still keep it hidden from Rebecca. Then the ceremony began.

As Logan, the other groomsmen, and I entered the sanctuary, my father broke into tears, which sparked my mother and Rebecca's mother to do the same. But when Rebecca turned the corner for Logan to finally see her that day, there were no dry eyes as Logan and Rebecca wept with joy and love.

After Dr. Chris Matthews led Rebecca and Logan in their vows, it was the time for my and the Maid of Honor, Allison's, most important task: the exchanging of rings. As most people know, the best way to be able to hold onto the ring is to wear it until it's needed. Allie was able to wear Logan's ring with no issue. I, on the other hand, had a bit of a problem. Rebecca is a small woman with very small hands. Her ring barely fit on my pinky. I kept her ring in my pocket until the exchanging of vows. I have never been more nervous to do the most simple of tasks in my entire life. But through sweaty and shaking hands, I successfully handed off Rebecca's ring.

The ceremony was nearing its end when I put my hand in my left coat pocket to get the mistletoe. I was trying to be inconspicuous, but Allie, my sister (also a bridesmaid), Rebecca's entire family, and my parents saw, smiled, and laughed a little. When Dr. Matthews finally said, "You may now kiss the bride", I waited until the very last moment before the kiss and reached over Rebecca and Logan's heads with the mistletoe. The guests laughed a little at my gag, so I consider it a success.

It had been a long road to get to this day, filled with twists and turns, bumps and detours. But we made it. It was the most beautiful wedding ceremony I had ever attended. There was singing, prayer, laughter, joy, and of course unconditional love in every moment. I met some great people who I hope will be life long friends. And I got to witness the love of two of my favorite people, my brother and my new sister-in-law.

|December 19, 2016|

A lot has happened since that day a year ago. Logan and Rebecca are both now music teachers living in Memphis. There have been a few obstacles they’ve had to face as newlyweds, but they’ve overcome each one, learning valuable lessons along the way. They moved from a small townhouse apartment into a fairly large 2-story house, with plenty of room for a family. And speaking of a family…they are expecting their first child, a daughter in March! The fact that I get to be an uncle is awesome enough, but then they decided on the name Reagan, after the greatest POTUS there ever was and ever will be. All in all, the past year has been pretty awesome for the Brasher family.