Saket Vora

The big day. Greg left early to run around taking care of things while Mark, Chris, and I went down by the pool to work on our evening toasts. We shared what stories we had of Greg and enjoyed the sun. Clarke and Jamie came down a bit later too – I got to see an Amazon Kindle in action too as Jamie was using it to catch up on reading. Greg showed up and after a dip in the pool we all got ready for lunch at Mariner’s Jacks, a club with a good size fleet of boats in front of it in Sarasota. Greg’s family was there too. With our stomachs full with a long lunch, we headed back to the hotel.

Things got more real as the groomsman were given the greenlight to get ready. Of course, what was a twenty minute affair for us was likely 10 times longer for our counterparts on Kelly’s side. Greg had gotten us a lovely Vineyard Vines tie and Rainbow flipflops as gifts, and we were to wear them for the ceremony. I was excited about both – never had either before (though Rainbows are admittedly quite popular on campus). I was a bit worried I couldn’t pull off the pink tie, but Mr. Mulholland gave me his reassurance. Greg was looking particularly sharp in his brown suit; it was tailored perfectly.

Marc, Kelly’s cousin who was also the wedding photographer, came up to the room to take some shots before we headed to the beach. We went down to the beach and did some poses. Mark said that we’d later do a ‘Sopranos’ shot at the reception. Hehe.

Our backup plan of hiding ice-water Camelbaks under our jackets wasn’t needed. The weather was perfect – slight breeze, partly cloudy, the sun an hour or two from setting. The arrangements were already made as we got to the beach and the wedding guests started to arrive. The priest arrived and we took our positions by Greg at the front.

Greg and Chris

John Mulholland and Chris

Mark and Chris

Clarke, me, Mark, and Chris

The ceremony gets underway

As the music started up, the bridemaids walked down the aisle and after much anticipation, we spotted a large white umbrella in the distance. At the start of the carpeted aisle the umbrella came away to reveal Kelly and her father walking hand-in-hand to the dais. Greg shook Mr. Stano’s hand and the priest began the ceremony. After the traditional vows were exchanged, the priest did a small sermon that told of three ‘R’s – romance, respect, and relationship. This was one aspect of the American wedding I hadn’t seen before, but it’s good. I have a feeling that the ‘sermon’ part will likely last several hours for mine…whenever that is. Heh.

Marc started rallying the crowd for the pictures and kept snapping away. We congratulated the families, enjoyed the beach view, and soon started making our way over to the country club where the reception was being held. Greg’s parents drove Chris and myself over. Google Maps delivered some major fail with printed instructions, but my internet enabled telephone helped out. The reception hall was nice – tables with hors d’oeuvres, tables to sit at, a dance floor, and an open door. The dessert table made everyone’s eyes widen. Mark came in and setup a slideshow with a few pictures he was able to touch up in the past hour. The early shots looked excellent – people were quite excited to see the black and white shots in particular. I can’t wait for them to come online.

Kelly’s father took the mic and said a few heartfelt words, then Mark took it and started the toasts. He told an amusing account of how he walked into Greg’s room when they were kids and had just seen the Lion King. There Greg was, singing “I just can’t wait to be king!” We didn’t give the bridesmaids much warning about our toast plans, but they did a great job telling Kelly’s side. I didn’t feel confident enough to do an amusing toast (no surprise, huh?) so I kept it serious. Here it is:

I met Greg days before our freshman year began at NC State, and I had no idea that over the next 4 years he would become my closest friend. We took a dozen classes together, led multiple projects, and made a lasting impact on our school. And Greg always led the way. Greg is that unique individual who is completely at ease whether it’s wearing a clean suit in a research lab, gliding over the water at a regatta, or engaging CEOs in a suit and tie.

Now I knew something was different about Kelly in the way she completely stole Greg’s heart. And who can blame him? Here’s a woman whose extraordinary intellect is matched by her extraordinary beauty, who is so down to earth but has a quiet yet fierce determination to succeed. And of course, she’s the only girl who has the sense of humor that more often than yet can beat Greg at his own game. I cannot think of a better partner for my friend Greg.

They share an intrinsic curiosity for the world and together with their ability to laugh & smile, these will serve them well on their lives’ journey. All of our lives are made richer by knowing them. To Greg and Kelly.

Chris followed up with a toast from the heart that made everyone smile. He’s a great public speaker – I can see how he can run a good crew with Habitat for Humanity. The DJ started up with the music and the dance floor filled up quickly.

Marc took us groomsman aside for our Sopranos shot in the lobby. Time went by fast and we soon were wrapping up. Greg’s parents drove us back to the hotel and we kids hung out at the pool and went swimming late at night. It was neat – there is bioluminescent algae (or something) in the water, so if you wave your arms in the water you can see it glow around you.

We bid goodbye on Sunday as people started to head home. I had lunch with the Mulholland family at St. Armand’s circle. My flight was later in the afternoon, so we hung out at the beach and the pool before it was time.

It was sad to leave…what a tremendous four days. Seeing Greg and Kelly again, spending time with the families, making new friends, enjoying the beach – couldn’t have asked for more! My heartfelt congratulations again to Greg and Kelly.