39: A great day for a great day

Jade and Steve,

Your wedding this weekend proved why this family is #BonderStrong. No matter what life throws at us, we always find a way to throw a party right back.

Heading into this weekend, we all really needed something to celebrate. Saturday seemed like a particularly great day to have a great day. And we certainly did.

Saturday was a great day for 72 degrees and clear skies at sunset in a beautiful vineyard.

It was a great day for vows from two people that can take on anything together. For example, Steve, you didn’t let the large bee in your glass stop you from drinking the wine with your bride during the ceremony.

It was a great day for Jimmy to officiate your wedding. The ceremony was so well crafted that we were on our feet the entire time…or maybe the rookie officiant just forgot to ever tell the crowd that we could sit down.

It was a great day for Ryan’s reading to remind us that where there is love, we’ll never walk alone. The lyrics your mom used to sing to you as a little girl will serve as a fantastic guide to your marriage.

It was a great day for Danielle and Jordan to toast the girl you were growing up, and the woman they’ve become so proud of today. They also showed once again that they’re the best role models a sister could ask for. The same goes for Steve and his brothers.

It was a great day for “Pop” Bonder to skip around the room like a kid on Christmas morning. It makes me imagine the spring in my step that I hope to have one day at Charlie’s wedding.

It was a great day for two special families and two fun groups of friends come together for one great couple.

It was a great day for Kaitlyn, Luke, and Cole to light up the dance floor. Whether it was Kaitlyn rapping all the words to the new Lizzo song, Cole finding a way to dance with every pretty girl in the room, or Luke and his siblings performing a dance off that could go viral on YouTube, I was honored to be their uncle.

It was a great day to wrap our arms around the people we love and belt out “Ain’t no Mountain High Enough.” With Steve’s induction this weekend, the Bonder (originally Abbandanato) extended family is now at 40 members and counting, but it’s never been stronger.

It was a great day to order boxes on boxes of late night Dominoes at the after party. The pizza probably wasn’t top quality, the Miller lights probably weren’t necessary, and the jokes probably weren’t that funny, but in the moment it all just felt right.

More than anything, Saturday was a great day to be filled with and surrounded by so much love and joy. There were so many special moments that brought a smile to my face and tears to my eyes.

We needed this one, and I’ll never forget it. But with this family, we’ll find another reason to celebrate like this again soon.

Your brother,

Kevin