Hey new guy, wanna marry my sister?!?!

I'm not sure how I could possibly be more excited for two people than I am today. Last night, one of my best friends asked my sister-in-law to be his wife, and she said YES!

I want to put it out there right now that I am completely at fault for this beautiful union. Haha! Yes, they will both tell you how often I have told them over the last two years that I want a special mention in both their wedding program and during their wedding toast.

So let's see.... it all started about 5 years ago. A great group of friends at the SRWC (the place where ALL Kent relationships and friendships are formed) were walking out of the building after working our weekend afternoon shift. Mark, future brother-in-law, was just leaving as well. Mark had just started working there, and didn't really know many people yet. So, feeling guilty for the lonely new guy, I shouted out something to the effect of "Hey new guy, we're going to Olive Garden, wanna go???" Mark said yes, and from then on, our friendship was solidified.

Mark and I realized early on that we were friendmates. What is a friendmate, you ask?? Well, that would be a person of the opposite sex that you know instantly will be a really, really good friend (but nothing more..... his "soulmate" would come along a few years later). It was just understood that we were buds - we had so much in common, and over the years we have proven our friendmate status by always saying the same random thoughts at the same time.

Fast forward a few years. I have become very, very close with my sister-in-law Lindsay since Jon and I started dating. She and Kenny welcomed me into the family with open arms, and I was so excited to be able to call them my sisters once we got married. So as a sister, I (like everyone else in the family!) was never particularly thrilled with Lindsay's choice in men.  She is a gorgeous, compassionate, giving, and sweet girl, and nobody that she dated ever seemed to be good enough. As her roommate for about a year, I would shake my head and just wish that one day Lindsay could find her prince charming.

In 2009, BStaw and I were in the process of trying to convince my friendmate Mark to move to Columbus. He was living about 2 hours away at the time, had just become single again, and didn't have a whole lot binding him to his current city. And since Brian and I are notorious for convincing people to make life-altering decisions, we figured Mark should be the next one to bite the dust. I mentioned this plan to Lindsay, and she pointed out how cute she thought Mark was and how innnnnteresting it was that he was single again. Oooh, the wheels in my head started turning!!!

I covertly arranged a "Let's Move Mark to Columbus!" weekend, and I coincidentally invited Lindsay out. The two of them hit it off right away, and it was so cute to watch the sparks flying. They were dating exclusively within the month, and Mark made the move down here a few months later. I am taking TOTAL credit for both the introduction and the move to Columbus :)

At our wedding in May of 2009 those two had only been dating for a few months, but I think they both knew it was something special. After the ceremony, our officiant asked if we had witnesses to sign our marriage license. The only two people around were..... Lindsay and Mark. I grabbed them and had them sign it. I shouted out loud and declared "Ok guys, it's foreshadowing!! One day I'll be singing your marriage license!"

And now, it's really happening!! I am just so happy for these two. They bought their first house this weekend, and things are just falling into place for this wonderful couple. After everything they have been through, I am happy to see that they have found their perfect match in each other. I love you both - I cannot wait for your special day!