Mixed Family Wedding

So later today Wifey and I are headed down to Homestead for the wedding of a fine young man we've known forever.  He's an accomplished artist -- born raised in the County of Dade, as the song goes, and marrying a lovely and accomplished fellow Miamian.  The couple lives now in LA.

Last night, his Mom had a party for her friends.  Her ex husband wasn't there.  He lives in Florida, though up the coast a bit, and the two have little to do with each other.

They've been split up nearly a decade, and yet our group of friends still thinks of them as a couple.  MOG (Mom of Groom) has had a boyfriend for a few years, an affable Texan who is here for the wedding.  But I still think of MOG as married to the artist's Dad...

The groom's younger brother attended last night.  What a pleasure.  He had a tough adolescence, fueled a bit, I think, by his parents' split, but he's grown into a sterling young man.  He lives in Texas, and has a delightful girlfriend.  Like his older brother, he's a budding artist.  He came up to me, gave me a big bear hug, and told me how great it was to see "the good men from my childhood." I got teary eyed.

The wedding is being held on an estate in the Redlands -- a former farmhouse now converted into an event space.  Apparently, there are monkeys and other exotic animals roaming around.

The groom traded one of his original paintings for the wedding's catering -- done by a young Indian fellow who just opened a hot restaurant in town.  He and the artist met when both worked at Michael's Genuine, one of the best spots in town.  The food promises to be awesome.

I've always really admired the young groom.  He went off to college in Orlando, but left after a few years -- truly fueled by his artistic soul.  He lived the classic artist life in Wynwood -- tiny loft for living, no car, working as a waiter to supplement his income.  And he worked, and worked, and worked, and made it.

He moved to LA to get a different vibe, but his heart is here.  And he's really top drawer -- invited to one of the Art Basel satellite shows each December.  His paintings sell for north of $20K.

He loves the Canes, too, and travels with us to away games.  He's strong and gentle at the same time. He keeps his lifelong friends -- a large buddy from high school was there last night.

I'm truly privileged to be invited to his wedding, and look very forward to this afternoon.

A few weeks ago, I met the groom's Dad for drinks.  He wished he could still be friends with his ex.  It's not to be. But both of them, though apart, will be beaming tonight.  They produced one hell of a son, and today is the huge night of his life.

The weather even cooperated -- warmed up just enough to make the outdoor party perfect.

If there's something better than celebrating young people as they soar, I don't know what it is.