A Letter to the Irelands

Hey guys! I never got you a wedding card because frankly I just don’t know what to say on them. Not to mention they seem a bit overpriced for the cardboard/paper concoction that they are. And then it leaves you two in a sticky situation because you won’t really want to throw it out, but you’ll also realistically never read it again so it’ll just be added clutter. Anyways, I decided I would spend my night here writing you a letter to express my gratitude, wishes, and love for y’all.

To Rambi,

I’ve been trying to think back to the moment when our friendship started but I can’t put a pin to it. What I do remember, is the liter size coffee mugs you would bring to the gym at 5:15am along with your two phones, setting up in the front left corner of the rig. It was always going to be a great morning when the silver F150 came cruising by while I was setting up for class. Unless of course you spilled your coffee as you left the house, then it took a little bit longer to get the laughs going.

From there, it turned into country concerts, donut dates, hospital pick ups, and near fatal experiences. Not sure what it says that the two moments in my life where I confronted the two temperature extremes of this world were with you. I’m going to choose to believe it means you’ll always be with me through the highs and lows, no matter where I am, what I am doing, or where life takes me. A bond was formed that day in hot yoga that I’m certain can never be broken.

Though we are a few hundred miles apart now, I never feel like you won’t be there for me when I ask for you. I love our FaceTime calls and the ability to be 100% authentic with you. There aren’t many people on this earth that I feel naturally at peace with, regardless of the discussion’s topic. For as determined and fierce as you are, you compliment those attributes with an open mind and empathetic embrace that allows me to feel heard, but challenged when I’m missing the mark. (P.S. Jack, I hear you played a formative role in bringing this quality of Rambi’s to light.)

I’ve never told you this, but for the last year you’ve sat on my life’s imaginary “board of directors.” I had read an article or maybe listened to a podcast that talked about the concept of having a panel of individuals that you respect and look up to as a compass to guide your decision making and actions. There have been numerous times I thought of doing something, only to tell myself, “Rambi would eat me alive if I told her this,” and that would instantly be the confirmation I needed to perform/not perform a said action. Thank you for giving me a moral and ethical true north to calibrate to.

To Jack,

I can’t thank you enough for giving me the space to have my friendship with Rambi. I knew how great of man you were the moment we met because you gave me the warmest welcome and golden retriever energy, when most other guys would just be questioning my intentions. The fact that you didn’t show jealously, get defensive, or strut your chest confirmed to me that you were a rare breed, and one I would instantly admire.

Our mutual love for some of the finer things in life have only brought us closer. Suspenders, fanny packs, clogs, and everything Arc’teryx. I still laugh thinking back to our conversations at Good Company that spring morning as you described the story behind your favorite blue Atom LT jacket, and your quest to find its replacement.

It meant the world that you reached out to me on some of Rambi’s toughest days to be there by her side because you physically couldn’t. I’m honored that you trusted in me to be a positive spirit in the midst of troubling times.

I have also found a love for Creed since witnessing your heartwarming dance with your step-mom. Every time I play Arms Wide Open I get goosebumps thinking back to the emotions I felt in that moment. A moment of true love, care, and support. Thank you.

All that being said, when I come down to visit, I will be grading you on the quality of your lawn care and maintenance as Rambi said your grass cutting form could use some work. And when you’re up my way, I’ll have you taste test my rice, as I am forever chasing the immaculate texture and stickiness of the sushi rice you have perfected.

To the Irelands,

My vacation out to Friday Harbor is one I’ll cherish for a lifetime. There was never a doubt in my mind that I would be present for the wedding, but I never thought I would takeaway so much more.

I was laying in bed before going to JPs and pretty much flipped a coin to decide if I was going to stay in or go out. Between the long day of travel and not knowing anyone else that was going to be there, it would have been easy to read the back of my eye lids and call it a night. But something in me just knew I needed to go. When I met the family and started supporting the local karaoke goers, it felt like I was right where I was supposed to be. And that feeling only manifested more throughout the weekend.

From the run club Thursday morning, to the party games at the Air BnB, to the happy hours and fireworks, to the adventures with Kevin and Evan, to the welcome party, to the ceremony, to the dance floor, all the way up to the closing brunch, I was in the company of truly amazing people. It’s just a testament to the quality of individuals that you both are and the values that guide you through this life. You guys have so much love in your life. Cherish it, lean on it, and grow it.

As I boarded my seaplane Sunday afternoon, I was struck with the memory of the great speech that Jimmy Valvano gave at the ESPY Awards in 1993. He said,

To me, there are three things we all should do every day…Number one is laugh. You should laugh every day. Number two is think, you should spend some time in thought. And number three is you should have your emotions moved to tears. Could be happiness or joy, but think about it. If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that’s a full day. That’s a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you’re going to have something special.” - Jimmy Valvano

Over the course of your wedding day I laughed. I thought about the strength of your vows and the commitment you have devoted to each other. And lastly, my emotions were moved to tears. As much as I love Jimmy V’s recipe for a great day, I’ve always struggled with that final part, moving emotions to tears. You guys gave it to me that magnificent July afternoon. Miss you and the whole gang already. Can’t wait to see what the future holds for the Irelands!

With Love,

Mitch