I sat with Dissenter as the reception drew to a close. He had spent a good part of the night in the bar room lounge talking with his partners and other noted guests. What started out being such a formal occasion had become a lot more casual. A good example of this was when a prominent attorney -- helped to the disc jockey booth by Dissenter and another man -- did a karaoke version of "Why Don't We Get Drunk and Screw." It was in this laid-back atmosphere that Dissenter found himself drinking. His best man -- and senior partner -- jokingly gave him a field sobriety test, with he and Dissenter arguing over such semantics as, "What truly is the tip of your finger?"

         Dissenter and ÜberJules had their final dance for the evening. The reception was now over, with a few members of the wedding party gathering the wedding gifts and reception personnel busily cleaning up. As I said my goodnights, Dissenter invited me to visit "Chez Dissenter" the following day. I retired to my hotel room for the night to get some sleep.

         I arrived at "Chez Dissenter" just in time for breakfast. One of the groomsman -- the one with the speech/quiz -- was hard at work churning out a variety of omelettes. I met many of the bride's family and a few of Dissenter's friends. When we were finished eating breakfast, we retired to the living room to watch Dissenter and ÜberJules open their wedding presents. At a few points, the bride's family commented amongst themselves that they would look forward to inheriting such gifts, the kind of gifts that get used once or twice and are soon forgotten about. Eventually their large pile of gifts were all opened and accounted for, except for my lone wedding card on their coffee table. I felt a tad awkward being there while they read my card but they appreciated my card choice and my personal note to them inside. It made me smile on the inside as well as the outside.

         Time had passed quickly and it was time for me to leave. Dissenter walked me out to my car and thanked me for being a part of his wedding. I reciprocated. In a letter that he had sent along with directions, he stated:  "I know that you probably feel a little unusual about showing up at a reception where you do not know most of the people" and that I would be "comfortable and welcome at all times." With statements like the one at the beginning of this page, how could I not be?

Congratulations to you Dissenter, my web site partner-in-crime and friend, and your wife ÜberJules. May the laughter and happiness of your wedding day be with you always.