He's 'finally' married...

I haven't written much of my brothers...mostly because they live so far away and we don't talk as much as I'd like.

I am the oldest of three. I have two younger brothers. Rob is 34. He is married and has a son, Ethan, who is 6 weeks older than Julia. Robbie, as family calls him, is in the military and has been to Iraq. He is a military policeman and one of his responsibilities while overseas was training Iraqi troops. Now, he's a recruiter in Texas...and is not enjoying it as much as he would like.

And then there's The Randall. Yes, he is The Randall. He is 32 and has a very cool job. He works for a company that produces some of those ESPN specials called SportsCentury. They do other things, too, but Randy has been involved in several SportsCentury profiles. Andy Roddick, Pedro Martinez...just to name a couple. And because of his awesome work...he earned an Emmy last year. Yes, my brother is an Emmy winner. How cool is that?

Right now, he does the Tiger 360 episodes for the Golf Channel. Yes, I have some pretty neat brothers.

Which brings me to this last weekend.....My youngest brother, The Randall, finally got married. At the age of 32. Ever since high school, he has always said he wasn't getting married until he was 30. I, for one, never really took him seriously. Randy is cute. He has alot of personality. He has a good head on his shoulders. Everyone loves him. Why on earth would I believe that some sweet, young thing wouldn't come along...and make Randy change his tune.

But no. It didn't happen. It doesn't mean that Randy didn't have his share of girlfriends. He did. But none were anyone he could see himself settling down with.

Randy lives in Tulsa. Apparently...and I might get this wrong....he was on the east coast on business a couple of years ago, either NYC or Philly. At an ESPNZone, I believe, waiting for some people.

At the same time. In the same restaurant. Was Valerie. Who lived in Cleveland at the time. Waiting for some people, as well. They got to talking. And never made it to what they were there for. Two people who live in completely different parts of the country...on the East Coast on business...meet and totally hit it off.

The rest, they say, is history.

Thus began a long-distance relationship...which only made them closer. She finally moved to Tulsa so they could be together.

Randy proposed in a most romantic way. She had taken a trip and was flying home. Randy met her at the airport...only he wasn't alone. He had several friends in cahoots with him...and as she walked off the plane, she saw three signs. 'Will' 'You' 'Marry' ....Randy was holding the fourth, "Me." It was so sweet. He got down on one knee and presented the ring to her.

She said Yes.

Randy is at least 6'3". Valerie...is pretty darn close. They have a standing joke that when they get their picture taken, she has to either wear flats...or take her shoes off. What Randy gives to Valerie in the way of his sense of humor....she gives right back. He jokes. She jokes right back. He adores her. And they are perfect for one another.

And this last weekend, they got married. In Cleveland. It was absolutely fantastic. We had a ball hanging out with family we don't see very often. Almost everyone was able to come in for the wedding. All the aunts and uncles...and most of the cousins. We couldn't have asked for a more perfect weekend...except for maybe a couple more days of spending time with one another.

The wedding ceremony took place in a beautiful, Catholic church. Then the wedding party took a couple of hours afterward to go take pictures in various scenic parts of Cleveland. The rest of us went back to the hotel to hang out. The reception was a typical northern U.S. affair. Buffet dinner. DJ. Dancing. etc..... It was so much fun. They picked some of the best dance music. Even my father...all 65 years...was on the dancefloor, not only dancing a nice romantic, slow dance with my mother, but also the Macarena and the Chicken Dance.

Dad.....don't quit your day job!

Mom and Dad...you were awesome! You really know how to throw a rehearsal dinner party.