John Was There

This past weekend, Mark and Emily were wed in Jamaica -- Mark being one of John's best buds. (This, of course, was the Caribbean nation of Jamaica, as opposed to Jamaica, Queens, were John's parents were wed almost 35 years ago).

Jamaica the island is distinguished from Jamaica, Queens in many ways, not least with regard to the selection of available beers. While Jamaica, Queens has a plethora of beers from which to choose, on the island, there is only one, Red Stripe. Above is a picture of Mike having a Red Stripe on the way from the airport after landing in Jamaica.

Of course, John was there in spirit to help Mark and Emily commemorate their joyous occasion. JW's presence clearly called for a toast, but somehow a toast with Red Stripe did not seem appropriate. Therefore, Mark arranged to have 15 bottles of Guinness flown in for the occasion and graciously offered a toast to John, who most assuredly was sharing in Mark's & Emily's joy.

In addition, for those not involved in the toast, Emily assured that the chocolate half the the wedding cake, which actually consisted of cupcakes, was made from the special recipe she developed for John's first annual beer keg and kickball fest (see here, here, and here). At that event, Emily served a cake made from a Guinness cake batter with Bailey's icing, which are also the ingredients of a drink John liked -- the "Irish Car Bomb."