Eugenio's Blog!

This past weekend was Holly & Scott’s wedding in Dixon, Illinois. Holly, Scott and I all lived in the same dormitory complex at Illinois my freshman year. When we didn’t live together, we set aside a day of the week for the remaining years to meet up for lunch. Every Friday, we were active in financially supporting the Rice Garden at the Union. Holly and I student-taught at the same high school senior year. Nothing brings people closer than bashing your students, err – I mean, discussing what learning and teaching strategies work best for each individual adolescent.

I drove from Fremont to Dixon, and it was quite the trip. I have never experienced such Chicago traffic – it seriously took me five hours to travel through Chicagoland, from Northwest Indiana to Interstate 88. It was beyond horrible. Driving back from Chicago to Fremont, Northwest Indiana, again, was disgustingly over-trafficked. Is that a word?

The drive time was worth it to see Holly & Scott on their big day. I knew it was an honor to be a member of a bridal party. I truly felt honored. Holly looked incredibly beautiful (no surprise), and Scott looked okay.

Just kidding, my man, you know you're hot.

I had the greatest time once I finally arrived in Dixon. Rehearsal at the Church of the Brethren was an experience completely different than a traditional Catholic rehearsal. No bowing, no genuflecting, no praying to Mary – I know what you’re thinking . . . Church of the Brothel.

Dinner Friday was beyond delicious. Holly’s uncle owns this Mexican restaurant, and I ordered grilled shrimp fajitas with onions and green peppers. At first I was skeptical about ordering shrimp in Rock Falls/Sterling, but if I eat sushi religiously in Iowa City, Iowa, I figured I shouldn’t be too concerned about cooked seafood. As it turned out, the shrimp was great. What was also great was the special hot sauce conjured up by the restaurant owner. You see, Scott’s step-dad is this lover of spicy food, and the already hot green and red sauce on the table simply was dull to his taste buds. So the manager brings out this orange-gold sauce in a bowl, and dude, it was unreal. I have no idea how the step-dad’s intestines function.

For some deranged reason, all of us groomsmen were nervous before the wedding. I am not talking about your usual butterflies; I am talking about pacing back and forth in the preparation room. The service lasted no more than 30 minutes, and I managed not to cry. I was really close when Holly’s dad “gave” Holly to Scott. That, with the vows coming in a close second, is definitely the most emotional moment for any wedding.

To top off the night, the reception was a blast. My date Teresa and I took advantage of the free beer, and as a result, we got our dance-groove-on. Teresa was a great date, and the star of table 14, despite the BFE location. (If you know what BFE stands for, you must be born in the 70s). She managed to get hit-on hard core yet again. I swear, I don't think I've ever been out with her where she didn't get majorly hit on. I don't know what guys see in her . . . psych! I know, we fell out . . .

We were fortunate in that Jenni’s boyfriend promised to stay sober and drive from the Church to the reception. Jenni was the bridesmaid I stood up with. She, too, lived in the same dorm freshman year.

The funniest part of the night was when one of Holly’s cousins comes up to me and asks what part of Mexico I’m from.

“I’m sorry, I’m Italian.”

“No, I heard you speak Spanish. And plus, you don’t look Italian.”

Thinking quickly about which statement to question, “What do you mean ‘look Italian?’” I asked.

“Oh, you know . . . big, hairy, overly-masculine.”

Yes, ethnic stereotypes dehumanize – where is my book bag when I need it?

Regardless, she turned out to be uber-cool, and we talked with her husband. She is Mexican, and he is Puerto Rican. Traditionally, these are ethnicities that can be troubled by marriage. At first, she admitted, there were some familial tensions, but they’re cool with it now. We talked for a while in Spanish, and made fun of words that are exclusive to Spain, Mexico, and Puerto Rico, respectively. And, what would a wedding reception be like without a discussion about Latino diversity, integration, and inter-ethnicity relationships?

Holly & Scott are off to the Caribbean for the honeymoon . . . congratulations and bon voyage!