Nik and Niki

There's something about seeing love that's newer than yours that's refreshing. Especially when that love belongs to someone very close to you. It's invigorating. You look at it and can't help but smile because for a little while, you're there again. You remember what it was like and how it all felt and you can't help but be happy.

My best friend Nik got married to his sweetheart Niki on Friday. Unfortunately we couldn't make it to the sealing; Becky had to work and I had my final psychology presentation. But we did go to the reception. And I went to his party the night before. But I was going to talk more about the reception.

I feel so feminine talking about this.

We show up with our present that is put together with shoe goo (we didn't have any tape and didn't want to go to the store because we were running a little late, so we used that instead). His brother Kris has an extremely nice house. I'm debating on whether or not it's bigger than our apartment building. The guy graduated college four years ago and has a ridiculous amount of money. But I digress. We show up and it's great. She looks beautiful, he looks happy. Usual reception stuff goes on: we're recruited for dancing (it was our first time dancing together!) and we ate the subway and fruit and we talked and looked around. She threw the flowers, he grabbed the garter with his teeth and threw it. They cut the cake, she smeared his face and he retaliated. The usual. And then her brother I think played a song he wrote for them, and Nik stepped up and sang a song he wrote while her sister played and Niki was crying and Becky was tearing up and I wondered why he was sitting on that hard stool while she was sitting on the floor.

I'm so romantic.

But really, it was great to see the two of them together. Becky and I have been married just shy of four months so the memories are still fresh. Seeing it really took us back.

I'm proud of that kid. He's a rock and a huge example to me. And I couldn't be happier for him.

So! In a roundabout way, here's to you Nik and Niki. May your life always be happy and bring joy and, if it doesn't, may you see it anyway. Love and laugh. Keep up the good work.

And always remember to pray and thank God for the treasure He has trusted you with.