Butler vs. Duke, NCAA Final Four championship game. Duke won 61-59. Photo courtesy of Jon Gardiner, Duke University.
So, in my NCAA National Championship post, I may have insinuated (or flat-out said) that “if you had told me 10 years ago that Chris Spatola would be a national champion, I would have asked you what drugs you were on.” Some people (ok, just my mom), took offense to that statement, but I promise that the emotion behind it was nothing but genuine.
Photo courtesy of USA Today.
10 years ago, Chris was the star of a struggling Army basketball team, in a struggling Patriot League. While I firmly believe that Army basketball players play their hearts out every game, Chris played harder than most, and it was clear that he was full of talent. But the only certain thing about his life at that point was that, after graduation, he’d be headed into the Army, and most likely to war. From that to a championship ring in 10-years’ time is quite an accomplishment.
Samantha Yacopino wed Patrick Holden on March 27, 2010. And I was there.
Some of you may have noticed that I was MIA for the past few days. Well I can tell you it was for a good cause, because my bestest friend in the whole world, Samantha Yacopino, got married this weekend to the super lucky Patrick Holden. As we speak they are probably relaxing ocean side on the North Shore of Hawaii. Sometimes I hate her.
Toddums, Me, Cullen, Cullen's ass and Frederick Nytko III.
Sam and Patrick met while at NYU and they’re both big nerds. Sam is in her fourth year of medical school and will soon be Dr. Holden. Patrick is a high school chemistry teacher on Long Island, and will mostly likely be going back to school for a higher degree when the couple moves to Chicago for Sam’s residency. Hopefully Patrick will get a PhD and then they will be known as “The Doctors Holden.” And then I can start my rock band of the same name, and when I’m famous and on my world tour I will have a funny anecdote about how the band got its name.
And then I made the boys repay me for not asking me out in high school by taking prom photos.
I don’t think Sam and Patrick could have asked for a more beautiful wedding. It was the perfect combination of fun and class and I had a great time. I have to admit, I was nervous to give my maid of honor speech, being that the word “breast” was in it about 400 times (inside joke) and I didn’t think the crowd would get it, but I think I won them over. I have to say though, Sam’s brother Timmy, in his best man capacity, outdid me with his toast: a verbatim reenactment of Zach Galifianakis’ Hangover toast. Thanks for letting me be a wolf in your pack, Tim.
I love this picture.
Now, I think there’s always some particular aspect of a wedding that really makes it what it is. For this wedding, that was a kick-ass photo booth that instantaneously prints out your pics for you to take home. I love looking at pictures at myself, even if they’re awful, so I probably spent about 3/4 of the wedding in the booth. Hilarity ensued. For all those potential brides out there – rent one! It will keep your bridesmaids away from you before you kill them. Unless I’m one of your bridesmaids and I incessantly come over to your table to show you how funny I am. My dad had to literally drag me away from Sam and Patrick so that they could actually eat their food. It’s ok. I know they love me. Wait til I’m living in their spare room in Chicago.
I really don't have any words.
I also want to make a shout out to my friend Todd for taking all my video, aside from the videos that I took. You’ll know they’re mine by how nauseous they make you. What can I say, a girl’s gotta dance. Thank you Todd for getting actual footage of this gorgeous wedding. Its going to need an entirely separate post. I would also like to thank Fred and Cullen’s ass for being just so much damn fun.
I love you Sam and Patrick – I know the future holds nothing but great things.
While I completely agree with this assessment, I do have a bit of a bone to pick with the blurb. Highland Falls, a village surrounding the United States Military Academy, has many more redeeming qualities than just being the gateway to West Point. It has a small community feel, families who have lived there for generations, breathtaking views of the Hudson River and Bear Mountain, and a kick-ass, three-day 4th of July celebration (complete with a parade, bed races, and a whole-town electric slide. I’m not kidding.) It’s also the place that inspired Billy Joel to write those iconic words: “Our reason coexisits with our insanity,” which I’ve always thought should be the Highland Falls motto.
So Highland Falls, congratulations. We always knew you were great and now so do the 20-plus people who will read this blog today!
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