As we arrived in downtown Philadelphia, my mind was focusing on the cramps in my foot. I didn't think I was particularly dehydrated or tense, but suddenly as brake lights lit up and the echoes of engines filled the tunnel, my deliberate jab in my right foot turned into a prolonged stretch.
I couldn't tell my wife, who sat by my side, anything of my predicament due to the fact that I knew this would cause rise in her already visible anxiety; her jaw locked into a vision that screamed of cautious tension.
Thankfully the traffic was manageable, even if a bit slow at times, and we arrived at the valet area of the hotel.
This being the first time being valeted, I was a bit unsure of how everything was to go. I handed the gentleman my keys and they loaded all of our bags onto the luggage cart. My wife was quick to note that they were all Jess Simpson bags, a fashion brand and celebrity that she adores more than what doctors might say is a healthy amount.
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| The view from the 1106 |
As we walked into the elevator hallway and check-in station, it became apparent that this hotel was, quite simply, one of the best in the heart of Philadelphia. It would also become clear that if we touched anything in the mini-bar fridge it was going to cost us at least 20 bucks. The silver and black marbled walls gave the impression that this would be someplace to stay if you were a somebody, and not for the budget conscious.
The weekend had finally arrived where my little sister, Sarah, would be getting married.
My sister, who came into the world 4 years after me, has always been someone that I've been taught to and had an instinct to protect. From an early age it became clear that she had a bit of a sense of adventure, a willingness to challenge others, and an independent streak that led her to do things that might agitate others.
As we grew older, we had a bit of a small sibling rivalry. I was an introvert, who loved to stay at home when I wasn't participating in sports. I loved video games, books, movies and anything that took me away from my immediate reality. My sister on the other hand, loved to explore the world and make it her own. She rode horses, excelled in school, and enjoyed socializing and meeting people.
To me, Sarah was overly conscious of people's perceptions of her and how people might perceive me. Where as, I cared about comfort in my clothing, baggy pants and shirts that allowed me to move that may have been less flattering; she would look for brands and styles that complimented her.
I remember playing catch with her when I was maybe a junior or senior, and she was playing softball. The two of us were throwing the ball, gradually harder and harder until we lost control of our respective accuracy and had to start chasing the ball, rather than fielding laser shots into our hands.
We were in many ways very different personalities.
However we also recognize that in some ways we are exactly the same.
We were raised by the same family. Not just our mother and father, but aunts, uncles and grandparents. Our cousins were the same. So we, on some level, were shaped by the same culture. We both value laughter and jokes. I'd say that on the whole, we have the same sort of humor that goes between high and low brows.
We both understand our parents, perhaps as well as they understand themselves, and look out for both of them whenever we can.
But back to the Wedding Weekend.
After arriving and checking out the view from our 11th floor room at the Loews Hotel, my dad invited us to go to a little place called Moriarty's, which in addition to having my grandmother's maiden name, was also an Irish pub known for its buffalo style wings that were served with the drum and flat pieces attached. While my dad thought they might be ranked as one of the top wings in the Country (they do appear on Thrillist.com), I thought they were a solid buffalo wing but nothing crazy. My wife, however loved their cheesesteak egg roll, and they had a good variety of draft beers. It was a great way to get cozy in a city th
is large by getting some of the simple things.
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| Wings and beer are a good start |
Speaking of music, my memory became jogged as I found out that the cafe was literally across the street from Kung-Fu Necktie, a little bar known for live music and where on of my own best friends/ groomsman from my wedding saw a live G-Eazy show before he became the major artist that he is today.
From there we drank exotic cocktails like maple whiskey sours, ja
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| The soon to be married couple |
As more and more people came through, I recognized some of the bridal party, but for the most part, stayed back with my wife trying to let the party, on some level, come to me and to enjoy everything going on.
As we eventually sat for dinner, Ryan, my sisters soon to be husband made a toast to family, for that is what the event was all about. He talked about how he was nervous to meet our family, because if we were anything like Sarah, we might be a bunch of high energy, meticulous go-getters that wouldn't allow him to relax. I especially enjoyed the misconception of myself, a former Penn State football player being a meathead, which to my knowledge, I am not.
And so the night played on and eventually we Ubered back to the hotel, went to bed, and looked forward to the next day. The wedding day.
9/15/18
I didn't want to mess anything up. I wanted the day to go perfectly, fully aware that was impossible. As someone who got married two years ago, and as someone who is aware that the real world is so full of variables that it is nearly impossible to bend the world to your will.
We started the day early heading to what might be the best breakfast place that I have ever been to, outdoing even the famed Waffle Shop, called Green Eggs Cafe. All of the options on the menu seemed appetizing to me, from their Pumpkin Spiced Bombon, the six different ways to have eggs Benedict (the short-rib version really had my attention), as well as creme brulee and cookie dough stuffed versions of french toast.
I settled on the "The Kitchen Sink", which involved three scrambled eggs, Gruyere cheese, a pork sausage gravy poured on top of peppers, potatoes and sausage. Needless to say it was filling and full of comfort food flavor.
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| A very delicious skillet |
As we walked, I took in the old and the new of the city. Philadelphia is one our country's oldest cities, was at a time its largest, and for a time it was the Capitol of America. It is without question one of America's greatest cities in terms of historical narrative, culture, and economic impact. It is not without flaws. As with many densely populated areas there are defects, flaws within the metropolis that are just as evident as its beauty.
It occurred to me that my little sister getting married at this moment was in someways a reflection of those aspects. She had grown so much from when we were little, from being a curious, independent girl to a complex, strident and confidant woman. Like the city that has flourished through the perils of the world, so has she.
I always have spoken highly of my sister whenever anyone asks me about her. I speak of her will, her ability to exist in fast paced, demanding environments. Her unflinching, and sometimes unbearably blunt ability to speak honestly. That she aspires to continue to grow and become a better person in whichever way she is able.
It filled me with pride.
Here she was about to go forward with her life one more time and take a chance, and I was thrilled to be a part of it.
Sarah had asked that I look the part and get myself a custom suit so that I looked good and fit in to what was sure to be a beautiful wedding. The buses would be late and we waited down in the lobby catching cocktails and drinks as we waited for our ride. It was a nice opportunity to practice my Mad Men look and drink something brown on the rocks, trying to pretend for the day that I was somebody of immense importance.
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| We looked the part! |
As we got off the bus, they began asking for me right away as I was to be given instructions regarding my reading during the ceremony. It was obvious the planners and everyone on staff were on top of their games. The small classical band on the side was playing some low key numbers as we took our seats in one of the oldest gardens along the east coast.
The ceremony was beautiful, and I remember that I just kept smiling, that I couldn't be happier except for my own wedding day. As I watched them read their vows I couldn't help but think about how lucky we all were on that day to experience something like this. A family united in their feelings of love and support.
Ryan, the groom of this equation is also not without some mention. Throughout the process his personality and clear care for my sister never wavered. In some ways I find his temperament and approach to life similar to my own. He's everything, from a brother's perspective, that you'd want to see in someone who is taking the vow to spend the rest of their life with a family member. Someone who is caring, honest, and supportive.
As the night progressed we danced and ate and did all the traditional things that happens at weddings. The cake, the booze, the dancing. It was as a wedding should be.
I did happen to make one mistake though. I was not aware that there was a videographer and that the camera being used was not taking still pictures of a moment that I was photo bombing, but rather a long extended video.
For this I am incredibly sorry. It was a magical moment to see my sister so happy with her life. It's something that I'm sure every sibling can attest to, when they see their family truly happy. My apologies if I put a small flaw on something that was so perfect.
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| Baney's gonna Baney |
It seemed like a fitting close to the day, where in the end, the simplicity of pizza can show how two unlike people can still be so similar.
9/16/18
The weekend wrapped up the next day after a delicious brunch in the hotel lobby. I was not feeling particularly great after the last rounds of tequila, but so it goes.
We talked about the highlights of the wedding, some of our trivial problems and a smidgen about the Penn State football program which never seems to be too far from our tongues.
All in all the wedding was a huge success and a lot of fun. It felt like an adventure in Philadelphia, where we came together to celebrate all that is good in the world. I'll always treasure the memory and whenever I go back to the city, the term "brotherly love" will always mean a little more to me.
