Jose Bautista is a Major League Baseball player.  He has been playing in the majors since 2004, but you most likely had never heard of him.  In his first 6 seasons as a big league ballplayer he never hit over 16 homeruns in one season.  This year he hit 54. He had a monstrous year that included 124 runs batted in.  Almost double his previous career high.  He had a very successful season.

Most of you know that on October 16th, I will be marrying the love of my life.  I can’t wait, but I am not under the illusion that our story ends there.  On our programs we entitled our special day, “Storybook Beginning.”  While a little cheesy, I believe it’s perfect. Here’s why.

Think of your favorite romantic comedy and then think of how it ended. Most likely it ended with a wedding.  That was the end of the story.  We are left to assume that they lived “happily ever after.”  We wanted to make the statement that our real story is just beginning.  The wedding starts the real hard work and we are committed to making it work.  We don’t want 1 successful season or even 2 successful seasons.  We want to be a dynasty.

Jose Bautista had a monster year.  An amazing season, but it’s been his only one so far.  The rest were mediocre.  When Amy and I look back at our “stats” we want to have more monster seasons than mediocre ones.  We want to set the records each year and more importantly we will never become free agents or be traded to another team.

We are ready for this beginning.  I can’t wait to call her my wife.  Batter up.

2 outs.  Bottom of the 9th. Armando Galarraga steps to the mound.  His heart is beating faster than it ever has before.  He only needs 1 more out to be perfect.  Before tonight he has been anything but perfect.  Armando has lost almost as many times as he has won.  He’s anything but perfect.  He’s never made the All-Star team and was even sent to the minor leagues earlier in the season.

2 outs.  Bottom of the 9th.  Jim Joyce resumes his position behind 1st base.  Jim has spent the last 23 years of his life saying “Safe” or “Out”.  He’s the umpire.  And he’s the best.  Jim has umpired in All-Star games, Playoff series and several World Series.  He was even named the best umpire by the players.  He was as close to perfect as an umpire can get, until June 2, 2010. [..]