It was in late October, a few days after my 30th birthday, that I had the joy of travelling to Jamestown, Virginia to see two good people get married. I've known Michelle for nearly a decade and Chris for 4 or 5 years. There's a lot of history to the tale, but I know that in some small part, I helped them meet. I did not do anything else, Chris is the one that pursued Michelle, but I know that if I did not know Michelle's brother Jeff, Chris and Michelle would never have met. (It involves a trip to Busch Gardens taken back in the late '90s.      So it was a beautiful Saturday afternoon... I left Raleigh and made it up to Jamestown just in time to grab a seat in the back of the chapel and wait a moment for the processional to begin. I would have been a little earlier if I hadn't stopped on the way up to buy a tie. (When I got home, mine was right where I left it on the dresser.) The sun was setting, the sky was clear and the chapel was decorated beautifully. There was a chance for the fathers to give a few words during the ceremony and Frank gave it his best. By the time he was done, there were many tear-filled eyes.      Photo-quality links:      Right click and hit save to use for photo printing      Jamestown Footbridge      Jamestown Footbridge      Jamestown Path      Jamestown Path      Jamestown Path      Jamestown Monument      Jamestown Chapel      Jamestown Chapel      Jamestown Chapel      Pocahantas Plaque      Jamestown Chapel      Chapel Flowers

After the wedding, the group made its way to the reception. I took the time to talk to lots of people that I had not been able to talk to for years. I had forgotten how many friends of the Labrecque family that I knew... From knowing Jeff for so long and basically being adopted by his family, I have had the opportunity to meet dozens of friends of the family. I spent many weekends at Tuna Gorda with some of these folks.      I talked with Jon Abell and his wife Becky for a while. Jon and I worked in the same area of IBM back when he was co-oping. Chris was Jon's friend and it was also through him that Chris met Michelle. (It's a fun circle.) Jon is now in Maryland working full time. It was good to see him after these years... last time I saw him was his wedding. (Or was it Tommy's wedding?)      The reception was every bit as elegant as the wedding. They had it at the Williamsburg Winery. A very nice place for a post wedding party. The size of the place fit perfectly with the number of people. There was a nice dance floor with a good band, good wine and lots of excellent food. I took full advantage of the open bar. Jeff told me I could crash at his house after the reception, so I stopped holding back on the drinking. Everyone was in good spirit(s) and the atmosphere was a high-on-life attitude.      The bride and groom made their entrance and proceeded to the first dance of the evening. Jeff then gave a toast that only Jeff could give. After hearing Frank speak at the wedding, I know where Jeff got some of his elocution ability. For as long as I've known Jeff, he has always had a way with words. Another reason he made a good TKD leader and president of the VT Chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha... among other things.      After food, drink, dancing, cake and lots o' socialization, those that remained at the reception went out to the balcony to partake in some fresh air and cigars. This family is just tons of fun. I really miss hanging out with them over the summer for the trips to Busch Gardens. Lots of great memories. This had to have been the best wedding that I have attended. Everyone was in such a good mood and there were no people excluded from the fun. No stress at all. Just lots of fond memories.      I used the camera to capture a few short movies. Unfortunately the video clips are not the best qualty. And for some reason the camera is only able to capture 30 seconds at a time. I had captured a few from the wedding and from the reception... I deleted the ones that I thought would be inappropriate to have on the web. The fun ones are still here. :)      Movie inks:      Bride & Groom Entrance      Chris & Michelle with the cake      Chris & Michelle still with the cake      Photo-quality links:      Reception Bar      Bill & Lynn      Lana      Bride and Groom Entrance      First Dance      First Dance      Jeff & Rachel      Travis      Travis      Jeff & Rachel      Michelle & Chris      Carrie & (Boyfriend)      Philip      Jon & Becky      Da Band      Rachel      Carrie & (Boyfriend)      Photogrpaher      Frank & Jeanne      Frank & Jeanne      Jeanne & relations      Loving Couple      Jeff & Rachel      Cutting the Cake      Cutting the Cake      Cutting the Cake      Cake Time!      Cake Time!      Carrie & Philip      Michelle      Beautiful Bride      Father & Bride      Jeff & Rachel      Jeff & Rachel      Jeanne      Father & Bride      Father & Bride      Father & Bride      Father & Bride      Jeanne & Sisters      Michelle & Hot Date      Carrie      Jeff & Jeanne      Chris & Bridesmaid      Sissy & cigars      Michelle with cigar      Michelle with cigar      Cousins and Relations      Cousins and Relations      Cousins and Relations      Jeanne with cigar      Photography Crew      Photography Crew      Balcony chats      Balcony chats      Balcony chats      Balcony chats      Frank      Michelle & Brandon

Eventually the Winery staff closed down the place and kicked us out. I headed back to Jeff's place and had a little whiskey with the family before calling it a night. The next morning we had another large heaping of food. My stomach settled down enough to grab some good grub before packing it up and heading out on the road.      Photo-quality links:      Rachel & Jeff      Feet & Jeff      Rachel & Jeff      Jeff & Granny      Jeff & Granny      Jeff      Jeff's Dog