When I married Grunt Labor, there was an unwritten package deal that came along with the nuptials.
Nick and Brandon.
Not only were they a package deal, but I had to pass the “Are You Good Enough to Date My Best Friend” test with both of them.
Passing the test with Nick – no problem. He cusses like a sailor and drinks only slightly more expensive beer than me.
Sound familiar? We were friends immediately.
Then there was Brandon.
A person who is just as blunt, and maybe even more so, than I am.
And who also takes fur coats of people he doesn’t know and wears them.
Grunt Labor kept me a secret from Brandon. At the time, Brandon was living in Memphis, so keeping me a secret wasn’t hard. Apparently, Grunt Labor was worried what Brandon would think of him dating someone who had already been around the marriage block once before.
If Grunt Labor was concerned about this, I was quite certain Brandon and I would never be great friends.
However, Grunt Labor had nothing to worry about. Brandon chose to remind me at least a half dozen times when we were all together that this was the second go-around for me. Grunt Labor never took crap for it.
This guy begged me to stitch a #2 in my wedding dress.
I kid you not.
But when I walked down the aisle in that ridiculously hot Dominican heat, he was standing on my side at the altar.
He had made his socks match my Manolos.
He held my bouquet.
At the reception back home, he fixed the flower in my hair.
He was my Man of Most Certainly Questionable Honor.
And we aren’t giving the peace sign in that picture.
He’s my go-to fashion guru, who just yesterday got a selfie of me trying on clothes in a dressing room saying “Does this work?”
When I go to Atlanta and am too intimidated by all the traffic, he drives me wherever I want to go.
He’s one of the guys who will no doubt live in our basement at least one more time, probably two.
He’s the guy who is leaving for New York City in just a few weeks for a new job.
I was blessed with one brother by blood, but I got two more by marriage.
Luckily, emergency fashion texts still get to NYC just as quickly as they get to Atlanta.
As do blog posts with embarrassing photos.
More Stories You Might Want to Read…
And Then He Won Me Over with Chocolate Milk
That Time I Moved into a 2 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom House with Two Guys
And you can see all my stories here…
You know you don’t wanna miss any of this crazy.
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Lindsay says
It never fails to make me smile that his socks matched your Manolos.
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
He was on top of his game!
chris aka monkey says
jenna, i love your stories…. i can’t wait to get to the next line,as open as you are i feel like i know all of you, and yes i am happy for that, and i am so happy that the story of the girl turned out so well xx
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Aww, thanks, Chris. That story did turn out pretty great.
Patty says
What a fun and crazy group. I love reading your stories, and your pictures are great. I want to read more. Thanks for sharing.
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
We are most definitely fun and crazy, Patty! I’m glad you enjoy the stories – there are plenty more to come!
BrocanteuseRose says
Awe love these stories, I don’t suppose he gives fashion advice to strangers?! Tee hee
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
haha! If you paid him in cigars or Yuengling, then possibly!
Amy says
You truly were blessed, but I think they’re just as blessed. Love the story and the relationship you all share!
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
You’re too sweet, Amy! Thank you!
Beth says
Very cool story – and if you’re gonna have a guy stand by your side, he sure is one hell of a good looking one!
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
hahaha! Beth, he will love this comment!
Brandon says
Thank you Beth!
Lauren @ The Thinking Closet says
Ha ha. I giggled throughout this entire post. So happy to know you beyond blogland, Jenna. Also…you were a blonde! I knew that from past posts…but it surprised me at first. You rock both looks so well, my dear. 😉
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
haha, Lauren!! I was a blonde – and am again! Just haven’t updated my profile picture! Thank you!
Stephanie @ The Styled Soul says
What a sweet story! And your wedding dress!! Gorgeous!
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Oh thanks, Stephanie!! Finding a wedding dress was quite the fiasco!
Jamie says
Love this story, Jenna! Brandon sounds like one cool dude & so are you for having a man of (questionable) honor.
Hugs,
Jamie
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
He’s something alright…. haha! Thanks!