Danny and Deidre

My friend Danny married a lovely lady named Deidre on Thursday, the 16th. It couldn't have been a more perfect day - it cooled off just so to be a lovely summer's evening. The wedding was held at La Caille - a charming and over-the-top facsimile of Provence in Salt Lake City - replete with peacocks and rabbits roaming the grounds!

Danny and Deidre

Danny met Deidre a number of years ago, at a community service expedition called "alternative spring break," I believe. Their friendship matured into love, and they are fortunate to be surrounded by loving and supportive mutual friends.

The Groom, and Mr. Hughes escorting his daughter down the steps.

The wedding struck me in its simplicity and beauty. The Rev. Tom Goldsmith of Salt Lake's First Unitarian Church (of which Danny is a member) presided over the ceremony, which was written by the bride and groom. Having met Danny on the first day of High School (back in 1993), I've come to know his family and friends, and it was nice to see the extended network of people come together and celebrate.

Rev. Goldsmith administering the vows.

The mothers of the bride and groom were given an opportunity to speak to the couple before they exchanged vows. Vicki, Danny's mom, related a great story of when Danny was 5, serving as a ring bearer at a family member's wedding. When asked if he wanted to get married someday, Danny replied that he would, so long as "she had superpowers and brought her own toys." Vicki noted that while Deidre's superpowers were not in dispute, did she bring her own toys? Carol, Deidre's mother, asked them to remember the role God played in bringing them together, and that God would keep them together. To reinforce Carol's benediction, the groomsmen (I had nothing to do with this!) decorated Danny's car, scrawling "GO WITH GOD!" on the back tailgate.

Deidre and the Bridesmaids

I had a chance to speak at their wedding, also. I was asked to give a few words to the couple and to the party as they sat down for dinner. I told them of how I met Danny on the first day of high school: we were playing a game out on the football field, where everyone was paired up with someone else. I happened to be paired with Danny. Brother Bob asked us to sit down back to back, and lift ourselves off the ground using each other's back for leverage. Little did Danny know that he'd be watching my back ever since.

Ever the momma's boy.

For thirteen years, our friendship has been a blessing and my life has altered course because of his influence. In 2003, he asked me to manage his campaign for city council in Bountiful, Utah - a race where we were totally smoked out by the competition. His mother arranged for me to interview for a job at the State of Utah, a job which started me on my career path. Danny inspired me to go back to school to get a MPA degree, and apparently I encouraged him to go back for a masters in Urban Planning. The adventure continues: our research interests have converged in a way that we're giving a joint presentation at the Western Planner Conference in Boise in the first week of August.

This wedding gave me my first opportunity to attend a real bachelor party. Danny, who's notorious for causing himself bodily harm while drunk, was given a hockey mask to wear so that he wouldn't break his nose before the wedding. In life as in drinking, Danny sprints: in about two hours, he consumed more alcohol than I had in weeks. The irony was - as he was reaching for my shot (his eighth, my second and last) , he lectured me about drinking too much.

I am so happy for you both, Danny and Deidre! I wish you both health, happiness, and long, loving lives! I look forward for the day when we can go on senior citizens cruises together.

Danny, in protective headgear, with one of his fraternity brothers, and my fellow groomsman, Chris.