Happily Ever Laughter

Life escapes me sometimes. Or, rather, I get so busy living life that I have no time for soaking it all in. And then stuff that happens in April starts to come back to me in August and that's how we got to today.

Back in April, Ruble got married to Steve. I have been with Ruble through some pretty atrocious relationship dealings, so when I first met Steve, while we were all in Atlanta for Kristin and Will's wedding, I was delighted.

Steve was funny, down to earth, outgoing, and tolerant of our shenanigans. He was like Ruble in all the good ways and a perfect balance for her special blend of crazy. When Ruble would hinge on freak out, which doesn't happen too often, Steve wouldn't let her topple over the edge... mostly because he'd laugh at her. He's equipped with a personality that manages to lighten the mood, maintain the perspective, and find the fun in it all.

By "shenanigans," I mean beer drinking.

And unexpected, competely unwarranted drunken attacks.

Ruble's laugh is the thing that I have always loved the most about her. It didn't matter if it was the middle of a test in high school or the middle of the championship NCAA basketball game, if Ruble felt like laughing, that well of joy erupted like a volcano. There is just no stopping it. She can't keep it in. That freedom to be loud and delighted no matter what is adorable and admirable.

Ruble and I started going on 'dates' when I moved back to Kentucky, days Mack started calling "Rube Days." Steve would sometimes come along, and we'd all sit on a patio somewhere, drinking beers as big as our heads and talking and laughing. Ruble and Steve quickly became one of my favorite couples, one of those rare units that don't make you feel like a third wheel no matter what. I love Ruble, absolutely adore her, all on her own, but somehow, when she and Steve are together, I like her even more.

When they got engaged, on a hot day in July 2009 near the summit of Angel's Landing in Zion National Park, it was sort of like having the universe reaffirm that things are right with the world. Sure, accidents happen and sometimes there are piles of shit, but in the end, yin meets yang and all is well.

Because the epic and overblown World Equestrian Games made people in the business of weddings inflate their prices, Ruble and Steve decided to have a long engagement and get married this past April instead of October 2010 like they wanted. I don't know if that extra time was necessary considering the detailist that Ruble is, but it sure gave her time to spoil the crap out of those of us lucky enough to be her attendants.

Me = legs scarred by bugs in Ghana. Kristin = 6 months pregnant and jealous that we can imbibe. Michelle = definitely not as big a lush as pictures make her out to be. Sarah = not in town. Ruble = 'what have I gotten myself into?'

Ruble's wedding affair started with nails at the nail salon. Then it was a day at Keeneland. After that we had a rehearsal dinner of sea bass, calamari, fried lobster risotto balls, cheesecake, and an open bar. Then we had mimosas at the hair salon and mineral makeup at the spa on the big day.

Ruble did all of this, gave all of this to us, planned it all down to the last detail, even ordering me a special vegetarian sandwich in the lunch order. Most brides need their attendants to handle these things, but Ruble made her attendants feel like princesses while she did the tough tasks of being the queen.

Then there was the wedding.

Ruble was the most beautiful I have ever seen her, gorgeous and effortless and with a figure to die for. Her dad walked her down the aisle, and in true Ruble fashion she started to make small talk with guests on her way to meet Steve at the altar.

During the ceremony, while everyone else prayed, Ruble chuckled and pinched Steve's butt.

You see all those heads bowed? Even that atheist there playing along? Not Ruble!

Words were repeated, rings were exchanged, and I'm pretty sure a pinky swear sealed the deal. Through the whole ceremony though, laughs. Bursts of laughter. Delight echoing off the walls of the church. Pure and unyielding happiness. It was everything you could ever want in a wedding and everything a marriage should be.

There was also a reception, complete with beer chugging contests, the Electric Slide, and even something we'll call 'dancing.' The details are fuzzy, thank god, but the feeling of having a blast is still crystal clear.

No, I did not learn that move from Elaine on Seinfeld. That is all mine.

Congrats Rubeskis. I love you!