The Soundtrack of Shenanigans

What follows is less All Kinds of Funny and more All Kinds of Fun.

Twenty years ago today, my wife and I exchanged vows and kickstarted our marriage with a shenanigans-laden adventure across Europe. Before that honeymoon, directly after our wedding and reception, we piled into a Ford Model T.

My brand new mother- and father-in-law opted for the antique car over the traditional limo because we were, in their estimation, “old souls.” And they were right. I’d also add that a Model T makes for a better story.

The Model T chauffeur, an older man who looked more like Elmer Fudd than any human being I’ve ever met, drove us to The Ritz Carlton in Laguna Niguel where we stayed for the rest of the weekend, a luxurious privilege for a guy like me who had only vacationed on the banks of Lake Havasu in August.

As we hopped out of the Model T, the chauffeur said, “Congwatulations you wascally wuv boodz,” and then we hurried toward the honeymoon suite, across the lobby, past the restaurants, and through a lounge where a piano player picked out an aria but then elegantly transitioned into a cheerful wedding march.

The entire bar looked up at us, me in my tux, she in her dress, and they erupted into applause. I remember this as one of the most distilled moments of joy in my entire life.

Several years later, deep into our marriage, Becky worked as a doula and lactation educator, and in a shocking departure from her standard operating procedure, she befriended the family. For all other doula clients—unless they were grandfathered in by previous friends or family status—Becky maintained strict boundaries. This family, however, was—and remains—special.

As we’ve gotten to know them over the years and exchanged origin stories, we learned that Dennis, the husband and father of this family, was indeed the piano player at The Ritz that night who has since gone on to marry, have kids, dominate the tech game, and generally exceed all expectations of modern man. Side note: Dennis’ wife, Jen, has also been featured in All Kinds of Funny, and if you haven’t read it…

Last weekend Becky and I returned to The Ritz to celebrate our 20-year milestone. Beforehand, I reached out to Dennis and asked him if he would be willing to cover and record our wedding song. Of course, he did because what else would you expect from the kind of human who says, “The hell with all these moneyed-up fat cats drinking their 1,500-year-old Scotch at The Ritz. I see optimism and joy and I must meet it with a serenade!”

I would post the song for you here, but I don’t want to get any calls or emails from The Law Offices of Show Me the Residual Money. So here’s how you know how wonderful Dennis’ performance was. I played the song for Becky over the weekend. She’s more prone to smiling than crying, as a general rule, but this gift married those two expressions instantly.

This marriage has been one fun moment after the next, and it looks like it’s going to continue as such. All the gratitude to Dennis for the wonderful gift. All the gratitude to Becky for this wonderful life. And all the gratitude to those of you reading and sharing in all this fun.

20 deep. Keep ‘em comin’.