The Coastal Baseball Team National Champs Thursday Rundown

Posted on June 30, 2016 by brent

It is tough to punch the keys on my keyboard now. Coastal Carolina University is home to the baseball national champions. Social media is completely bonkers at this moment and my adrenaline is through the roof but I wanted to take a quick breather and write. In the near future I will reflect on what this Coastal baseball team actually did. However, since it is a Thursday, I thought I would talk about the finer moments of the experience for me in tonight’s Thursday Rundown.

Fun On Twitter – In most professions, people are aware of and keep in touch with their counterparts in similar positions at different companies. This holds true for higher education social media professionals. I am friends with the person who heads up the social media program at the University of Arizona. When it became official that our schools would play each other in the College World Series Finals, we were excited for the social media possibilities. Over the past several days the @UofA and @CCUChanticleers Twitter accounts have gone back and forth in friendly dialogue. For our most memorable exchanges, click here and here.

My Own Media Circus – Over the past couple of days, I have made the rounds on the major three local news stations here in Myrtle Beach. On Tuesday, WMBF interviewed me. Then yesterday I sat down with reporters from WPDE and WBTW. All of these stations visited me to talk about the impact the baseball team’s success has had on our main social media program as a whole and just our entire university in general. Although I can’t say my interviews were stellar, I really appreciate the coverage Myrtle Beach media outlets are giving to our university.

Me during my interview with WMBF on Tuesday.

Bonding Time With My Wife – When the Chants were playing the games, I covered them right from my living room. I had my electronics in front of me but my wife right beside me. Sidney is not a big sports fan but she watched every College World Series game that CCU played in with me. That means over the course of six nights and one afternoon we bonded together over baseball. We ate dinner, commented on the action, and rooted on the Chants. It was a lot of fun.

Sidney and I are true Chanticleers.

No Surprise – It was well-documented that Coastal Carolina Chanticleers merchandise flew off the shelves in Omaha. This fact didn’t shock me. I have said since I arrived at CCU that our colors are unique and fun. Teal stands out and is inviting. With the exposure our baseball uniforms have received on ESPN for several different nights, I have a good feeling that a lot of people not just in the Grand Strand area and Omaha are going to be getting their hands on Chant gear.

You can’t beat our school colors.

Celebration Time – Now comes more fun. Over the next 24 hours we will celebrate our baseball team. This evening I will be at the airport at 11 p.m. when the team comes back home after two weeks in Omaha. Tomorrow we will hold a parade for the team in downtown Conway. Following the motorcade we will have a ceremony at the baseball stadium. Great opportunities for memories and social media gains.

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Congrats to the Coastal Carolina University baseball team on a remarkable achievement. It is a great time to be the guy who is running the social media program for the school but an even better time to just be a Chanticleer. Don’t Blink.

Swimming With the Dolphins

Posted on June 29, 2016 by brent

There was one item and one item only that Sidney desperately wanted to do on our honeymoon: swim with the dolphins.

You have to give your brand new wife the one thing she wants the most, right? So it should come as no surprise that on our trip to Cancun we did indeed swim with the dolphins. This is how it played out…

We needed to travel to an island to participate in the swim. Our hotel actually covered the transportation costs of the round trip. On Wednesday morning we hopped on a double decker boat. Once aboard, we were served all the liquor, beer, and/or soft drinks we wanted. It was a 45 minute venture in the Caribbean Sea waters from Cancun to Isla Mujeres. When we got to the island we walked around and explored a little. Since our dolphin swim wasn’t until a couple hours we were able to take advantage of the bars and pools that were available.

When it came time to live out Sidney’s dream, we checked in at the appropriate area. The name of the company organizing the swims was Dolphin Discovery. They gave us life jackets and briefed us on what we would be doing. After the pep talk, they took us to the dock area. We walked down the long plank and then were instructed to get in the water. We were paired with a guide and she took us down to an area that was about 100 yards from where we got in.

All of these photos are pictures taken of a picture. Here is one of me.

Pretty soon our guide had summoned two dolphins that appeared right in front of us. She gave a little introduction and then had the dolphins swim down the line where we could reach out and touch them. Sid and I were in a group with about 12 other people. We all stood shoulder-to-shoulder during most of the experience. Because we were in this arrangement, it made it easy for the dolphins to interact with us while also having plenty of space.

Sidney’s and I at Dolphin Discovery

After the introduction, the experience shifted into a pattern. The guide would ask someone in the group to step out. The person who stepped out would then have a dolphin come directly to them. At this point, the guide would instruct the person on certain poses to do that the dolphin would play along with (kissing it, holding it, etc). While this occurred, a photographer from up above would snap photos. After a person stepped out and interacted with the dolphins, the guide would then take over and talk about the animals. After she talked for a minute or two, she would ask someone else to step out. She would then talk again. It went step out-talk-step out-talk-step out-talk for the majority of our session.

Sidney’s dream come true.

Once everyone had their photo opportunities with the dolphins, including Sidney and I, the guide had the dolphins do some jumps. She then had the dolphins swim around underwater in a big circle. For me this was the coolest part because you could barely keep up with the trail they were taking because they were so fast.

Loving life with the dolphin.

After the jumping and swimming, the guide asked those who were comfortable to swim out about 30 yards from the line (which Sidney and I did). She then summoned the dolphins to approach us in this much more open area. They splashed us and swam close to us as it was pretty cool. We then returned to the line for the grand finale. The guide had the dolphins do coordinated jumps with each other while making sure to splash us as much as possible. It was a nice way to end the experience and Sidney was pleased.

Dolphin kisses

We splurged on pictures and then got set for the second experience. This time we would be swimming with manatees. I didn’t even really know what a manatee was until Sidney coincidentally explained them to me a couple weeks beforehand (they are giant sea cows).

We got set up and jumped into some murky water. We swam across to the other side of the pool area from where we entered. Once again we were shoulder-to-shoulder with the other people (about 5-6) in our group. Once we were all settled, the manatees started to surface.

You are going to think this is crazy but Sidney said she liked the manatees more than the dolphins. Yes, the same girl who had it on her bucket list to swim with Flipper remarked to me that she liked the sea cows better. She just thought they were gentle giants and overlooked. I couldn’t share the same opinion. We fed them lettuce and got to pet them but their slimy skin and the algae growing on it turned me off a bit.

When we left the island, we both agreed it had been a good day. Going in we didn’t know how everything would shake out. But not only did the dolphins materialize but we also got to swim with an animal we didn’t even know lived at the Dolphin Discover facility. I could see us doing this again one day when we have kids. Don’t Blink.

Our Mexican Honeymoon

Posted on June 28, 2016 by brent

Some couples take their honeymoons right after the wedding, others wait until six months or even a year down the road. Sidney and I did the former but it was semi-delayed. We got married on a Saturday afternoon but didn’t leave until Monday. This allowed us to have a final day with out-of-town family and to do some packing.

On that Monday morning, we flew to Cancun. After going through customs and getting through the airport we hopped on a van that took us to our home for the next five days.

Sidney and I in the van taking us to the Sun Palace Resort.

I booked our honeymoon at the Sun Palace. This particular resort marketed itself on being an adults-only, intimate property built for couples. It also made it known that the service offered would be second to none.

Sidney and I at the start of our honeymoon.

Definitely no false advertising here.

The Sun Palace was spectacular. When they brought us a damp towel and a drink the moment we stepped into the place I knew we were in good hands. Our room overlooked the beach. We had an oversized jacuzzi that was in the regular room area. Our refrigerator was fully stocked with sodas, juices, and different types of beer. We had a liquor dispenser with four different bottles. Mind you, this was an all-inclusive resort so we could go absolutely nuts on all the alcohol, entertainment, and food we wanted.

This was the view from our room balcony. This is completely unfiltered, I took this from my iPhone. It was beautiful.

Ah yes, let me quickly describe the food. It was phenomenal. The place had four different restaurants (Asian, Italian, Mexican, steakhouse) where we could eat at on a nightly basis. We could enjoy all the drinks, appetizers, salads/soups, entrees, and desserts we wanted. We both liked the Asian restaurant the best. One night the resort gave us a special honeymoon dinner where we sat outside and ate from a menu prepared just for us.

The food was so good and I took so many photos that I had to make a collage of collages! Here are some of the dishes we ate.

For breakfast and lunch, Sun Palace offered a buffet but that ugly word (“buffet”) doesn’t do it justice. What was offered was a wide selection of the freshest meats, pastas, breads, and fruits you will ever find. I looked forward to that morning meal each day and savored every bite on my plate. One final note on food before I give it a rest…the room service was delicious and fun. One night we ordered cheesecake and French fries. Another night we ordered pepperoni pizza. Another evening we ordered ice cream sandwiches. One morning we had them bring us up pancakes, eggs, sausage, and fruit.

My mouth is watering just looking at this. The food was just so fresh and delicious.

I promise we did more than just eat. A lot of our time at the resort was spent at the gorgeous infinity pool that overlooked the white sand beach. We caught some rays, spent time at the swim up bar, played water volleyball, and relaxed at the edge of the pool where we admired the view. During the late afternoons and evenings we would hang out in the lounge bar where we would enjoy the entertainment (someone would be singing or playing an instrument), nibble on appetizers, and/or play ping pong. One night we were selected to participate in a string of activities where we had to compete against three other couples in front of what seemed like every guest at the resort.

I snapped this photo of a portion of the pool we hung out at so you can see how it overlooked the ocean.

We went off the resort every now and then too. We traveled to an island where we swam with dolphins. We paid a visit to the flea market. We ate at an authentic Mexican restaurant. We went to a sister resort of the Sun Palace that had what seemed like 50 different pools and 100 different restaurants. We hit up a club. All of these experiences were fun and I will share a little bit more about certain ones in future blog posts.

Sidney and I enjoying a Mexican sunset after our romantic honeymoon dinner.

Besides just spending time together, another big highlight of the honeymoon was meeting people. Throughout those five days, Sidney and I met a lot of other couples. We chatted and hung out with newlyweds that married on the same date as us! We also met people who were celebrating anniversaries, renewing their vows, or just enjoying a romantic getaway.

Sidney and I with some of the people we met in Mexico. This is us at the swim up bar (photo credit to Angela).

The honeymoon was a perfect mix of about 70% relaxation and 30% going out and doing things. Best of all, it was romantic. Aside from cheesy honeymoon t-shirts the Sun Palace gave us, they did several more meaningful things. They would sprinkle rose petals on our bed, send up champagne to our room, and pretty much every staff member would tell us congratulations. Our honeymoon felt like…well…our honeymoon?

We have many experiences and great photos to remember our honeymoon by.

Sidney and I would like to return one day to the Sun Palace. Until then, we have some really cool experiences and photos to remember it by. We certainly enjoyed our five days in paradise. Don’t Blink.

An Historic Night for Coastal Carolina University

Posted on June 27, 2016 by brent

With my wedding posts now done and my honeymoon posts up next, I wanted to give you all a break and offer something different tonight. I think you will excuse me for the quick change in pace…

This evening, Coastal Carolina University will be represented in a major national championship. Our baseball team put together a record-breaking, clutch-performing, highlight-generating postseason to earn a spot in the College World Series Finals. Starting at 7 p.m. eastern, the ball team of the university that I work for will square off against the University of Arizona in a best-of-three series. The winner will take home the big trophy.

In my life, between both the colleges I cheered for growing up and the universities I have worked for, I have never had a team make it to a national championship. To have this first time come on the sacred ground of Omaha in the College World Series is thrilling.

Sidney and I at a Coastal Carolina baseball game this season.

Watching the team over and over on ESPN has brought me pride (teal looks so great on TV). Talking with friends and family who have contacted me about the championship-bound Chants has brought me joy. Feeling the community pride all over the state of South Carolina has brought me goosebumps.

Tonight is a huge deal. All eyes will be on the Chanticleers. The national spotlight will be shining on TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.

With this exposure for our baseball team comes exposure for our whole university. Because Chanticleer Athletics has done all the right things in leveraging this College World Series run, it has brought even more opportunities our way. Of course one such opportunity has been social media.

I always envied counterparts at other universities who had their social media program catapulted onto a national stage because a team made it to a major championship. To now have it happen at the school I am working at is pretty cool.

It is also very nerve-wracking.

I would be lying if I said I haven’t felt the pressure of trying to provide our audience and the rest of the nation with quality social content. But because our athletic department is already leading the way in masterfully chronicling this experience on social media (amazing job to Alex Souza) and because we have such a passionate fan base, I know we are going to come out okay.

Best of luck to the Chanticleer baseball team! Make sure to follow the baseball Twitter account (@coastalbaseball) and of course our main account for Coastal Carolina University (@ccuchanticleers). Don’t Blink.

The Reception

Posted on June 26, 2016 by brent

As the ink started to dry on the marriage certificate we just signed inside the church, the minds of Sidney and I started to shift to something else: the reception!

It was now time to enjoy an event that was literally a year in the making. Our reception was held at the Waterway Palms Plantation clubhouse, a beautiful and elegant structure right off of River Oaks in Myrtle Beach. To get there we jumped in the vehicle of Sidney’s parents. With my new in-laws up front, Sid and I sat in the back with our niece, Russell, who was absolutely mesmerized by the day’s activities and specifically by her aunt.

This is the Waterway Palms Plantation clubhouse, the place where we had our wedding reception at.

It took us about ten minutes to arrive. We drove through the gate and followed the road that took us right up to the clubhouse. On the sweltering hot day we stood on the sidewalk as we waited for our full wedding party to arrive. Once that happened, we walked right up to the entrance of the party where we were greeted by our DJ. He confirmed some name pronunciations and then he hit the music and introduced the wedding party in couples.

With Sidney and I following the four different groomsmen/bridesmaid pairs, we all strutted down the main lobby area as our guests watched us. The procession then took a sharp right to where the head table was. We all stood in our places because there was no time to sit down, it was picture time! As the guests started to get food, the wedding party went outside on one of the clubhouse decks to take photos. The photographer did his best to make sure he didn’t take more time than necessary. But even though a second wasn’t being wasted, the South Carolina heat and the magnitude of the event that had just occurred had me feeling some type of way. This is why I didn’t mind it one bit when my cousin brought me an ice cold beer to help push me through to the end of the photo session.

As the professional photographer was busy working away, my mom took this photo of me with my brother and sister.

With the pictures complete, Sid and I walked back into the reception to enjoy our special party. We got separated at first just because so many well-wishers wanted to congratulate us. After about 15 minutes we ended up at the head table. With us both together and the reception well underway, we were prepared to do our first dance. However, Sidney’s mom and the DJ made the wise decision for us to eat something first.

When we got to the head table I took this Snapchat image of Sidney.

We went up to the buffet line and started to load up. Chicken tenders, meat balls, mini ham biscuits, mushrooms, veggies, cheese, and so much more was waiting for us. We fixed our plates and took our seats right in the middle of the head table. This period was extremely nice. We were able to sit down, relax, eat, and share a few moments together. With food in our stomachs and some relaxation time taken, we were ready for our first dance.

Sidney and I loading up our plates with the delicious food at the reception (photo credit to Glen).

Sidney and I chose “How Long Will I Love You” by Elle Goulding. The choice just seemed perfect for us. We are both big Elle fans and the lyrics spoke to our hearts. As I looked in the big brown eyes of Sid as we danced, I had never been more sure of our decision to marry.

Sidney and I enjoying our first dance together.

Immediately after the first dance, my mom and Sidney’s dad came onto the dance floor. We did our father/daughter and mother/son dances jointly. I held onto my mom and Sid held onto her dad as Elton John’s “Your Song” played. The song is special to Sidney and I and as it is from our parents’ era we thought it was appropriate.

We used “Your Song” by Elton John for the parents’ dance.

After those two emotional dances we took a few minutes to go back to the head table and relax. But the emotions started right back up again as the toasts soon followed. My brother went up and gave a heartfelt best man speech. Next came both of Sidney’s sisters who worked together to deliver a great maid/matron of honor toast.

Before we knew it, the two of us were back in the lobby area where the cake was. When it came to the cutting, I told Sidney to take the lead. She helped guide my hands as we cut the wedding cake. It both looked and tasted fantastic (no cake shoving or tossing took place).

Sidney and I cutting the cake (photo credit to Jay).

Immediately from the cake cutting we went back to the dance floor for an Italian tradition. Have you ever heard of the coin dance? The bride and groom hit the floor and the guests throw coins while they dance. Kids then rush the floor and pick up the money. It is the only way my parents could convince me to go to weddings when I was a child. Sidney and I danced to “Amazed” by Lonestar as the coins started to fly. We couldn’t stop laughing as the children at the reception got to their hands and knees to haul in every coin they could.

The coin dance is fun for both the kids and the newlyweds.

Next came the bouquet toss. In the biggest surprise of the wedding (hint of sarcasm), Sidney’s toss found its way to her sister, Courtney. I followed the bouquet tradition by removing Sidney’s garter. Then, in an extraordinary stroke of luck (a tiny bit of sarcasm again), Courtney’s longtime boyfriend, John Henry, ended up catching my toss. John put the garter on Courtney and the two danced. My favorite part of the reception then occurred as a bunch of the couples at the reception then joined Courtney and John and started dancing as well. It was such a cool scene.

A few of the scenes from the bouquet toss/garter toss.

Just like that, it was time for the final dance. Sidney and I walked onto the floor and danced to (are you ready for it?)…..”Don’t Blink” by Kenny Chesney. The song concluded and it was time for us to make our exit. As guests blew bubbles outside the clubhouse, we went off into married life.

A picture of a picture of Sidney and I leaving the reception.

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I want to thank Brenda (mother-in-law) and the entire Mathis family for organizing such an amazing reception. So many memories came out of it that Sidney and I will forever cherish. I have said it before and I will say it again, we are so blessed. Don’t Blink.

**Other blog posts about our wedding week:
Weddings are for Family
Inside Our Rehearsal Dinner
The #SidAndBrent Wedding
My Wedding Week Thursday Countdown

My Wedding Week Thursday Rundown

Posted on June 23, 2016 by brent

Three weeks ago I noted that I was writing my last Thursday Rundown as a bachelor. Well today I get to write my first Thursday Rundown as a married man. However, tonight’s rundown is a bit different. This evening I will be touching on five topics/events related to my wedding week that I didn’t write about for feature posts. Here we go…

Golf With Dad and Brother – A big reason why I took up golf so fervently over the past several months was because I wanted to play with my family when they came to Myrtle Beach for the wedding. On the Tuesday before the big day, I took Glen and my dad to Coastal Carolina University. We looked around campus and then I took them to our institution’s golf course, Hackler. We played nine holes on a gorgeous late afternoon. It was so nice hitting the links with them and showing off my game. I had a fabulous time…even if my brother won.

Hanging out on the golf course.

Charleston Trip – On that Wednesday, I got to take my family to an historic Southern city. Early in the morning we departed Myrtle Beach for Charleston so we could pick up my brother’s girlfriend, Ashley, from the airport. Once we arrived and got Ashley in the car, we headed to downtown Charleston. It was a hot day but we got some sightseeing in. We looked through the art in the park, toured a church, and shopped at the market. We couldn’t spend too much time in Charleston so after we ate lunch we headed back to Myrtle Beach. I know my family enjoyed exploring a new city.

Look closely and you can see my dad. It was a hot day in Charleston!

Bachelor Party! – I wanted a low key, relaxing bachelor party. Thankfully, my father-in-law was more than happy to help out. On Thursday, after all my groomsmen had arrived, we went cruising on the Intracoastal Waterway. Mr. Sid was gracious enough to take us all out on his boat. As the sun beat down on us, he took us up and down the unique body of water as we enjoyed some adult refreshments. We made a stop at the Boathouse for lunch, a popular restaurant right on the water. We ate, drank, and played corn hole. We arrived back on solid ground in plenty of time for that night’s festivities.

I got exactly what I wanted out of my bachelor party.

Wedding Weekend Kickoff BBQ – When I said we finished the bachelor party in plenty of time for “that night’s festivities” I was speaking of the BBQ held a few hours later. Sidney’s sisters organized an opportunity for the two families to get together right before the big wedding weekend was set to start. The party was held at the brand new house of Sidney’s sister, Steph. The function started with a professional photographer on hand to take family portraits. After the photo ops, everyone moved to Steph’s living room/kitchen and backyard. It was a fun and chill evening as the two families got to know one another. On the menu was my all-time favorite Southern dish, chicken bog! My west coast family and friends now like it as much as I do. My dad was impressed and humbled that Sidney’s family had stocked one of the coolers with PBR bottles, his favorite.

At the BBQ, us groomsmen put on the shirts that my brother had made.

The Proposal – What an awful person I would be if I didn’t mention the moment that set all the other events above in motion. A year ago on this date, I asked Sidney to marry me on the MarshWalk in Murrells Inlet. She said yes, thus starting a wonderful engagement that has led to our marriage. As Sidney and I lay in bed tonight we will no doubt think back to that special evening 12 months ago.

That magic moment.

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Hope you didn’t suffer too much over the past couple weeks with no Thursday Rundown. Have a great night and enjoy your Friday. Don’t Blink.

The #SidAndBrent Wedding

Posted on June 22, 2016 by brent

Quick story. The sweetest part of our wedding day for me was when my brother, dad, and cousin came over that morning. Glen handed me a tiny gift bag. He told me it was from Sidney. Knowing it would be best to open in private, I went upstairs to see what it was. Sidney had written me a heartfelt note and knitted a handkerchief with a special message. It was a beautiful gesture and set the day off perfectly.

I will keep the note private but this was the handkerchief Sid gave to me the morning of the wedding.

Now that I got that emotional moment off my chest, let me back up just a little bit. I woke up at our house at 7 a.m. Sidney had stayed the night at her parents. It was important to both of us that we didn’t see each other until she walked down the aisle a little after 1 p.m. that afternoon. I spent the next few hours packing for the honeymoon, writing in my journal, and just gathering myself.

I also spent time tweeting. I know this tweet is CORNY but it is how we felt. We were engaged for a year and really looked forward to this day. At the same time, most people look forward their whole lives to that day they finally get to tie the knot.

It was at 10 a.m. when the guys came over. My brother was my best man, my cousin was a groomsman, and my dad also had a tux to match us. Kenny, another groomsman, was already with me as he stayed at our house. On the way over, my family had picked up breakfast from Bojangles. So before we started to jump into our tuxedos we all scarfed down chicken fillet biscuits. My west coast fellas couldn’t believe how good they were.

I was pretty dressed down that morning as you can see. This is me eating my chicken biscuit and Botato rounds from Bojangles.

With breakfast completed, I hit the shower. I then got dressed with my dad helping every step of the way. He pulled my tie straight, helped me with my cuffs, and opened up the jacket for me to slip into. With my best man, my groomsmen, and myself ready to go, my dad jumped in the shower and then into his suit. There now wasn’t anything left to do except go to the site of the wedding. A little bit before noon, we piled into a rental car and made the drive to St. Andrew Catholic Church.

My dad giving me a hand with my tie (photo credit to Glen).

Once inside the church we hung out for about 20 minutes. We took some photos, tested out the geofilter, and talked amongst ourselves. Guests started to show up. Our priest, Father James LeBlanc, appeared from the front of the church and walked to the back to greet me. Word spread that the bride and her bridesmaids had arrived. My groomsmen started to escort guest to their seats. We were now only about 20 minutes away from show time!

Right when I got in St. Andrew Catholic Church I tested out our own special geofilter. It worked!

For the month leading up to the wedding, I fielded the “Are you nervous yet?” question over and over. Each time I said no. A couple minutes before the service started I felt the same way. Although I had to work hard to keep my emotions in check, I never had strong nerves.

This photo clearly shows I wasn’t nervous, I was just focused (photo credit to Jay).

It was time. The organist played Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring and I walked my mom down the aisle to her seat. My brother-in-law then walked my mother-in-law down the aisle to her seat. With my mom and Brenda in their pews, it was time for the procession.

This was my beautiful bride in the bridal area of the church just a few minutes before she walked down the aisle (photo credit to Stephanie).

I walked behind Father LeBlanc to the altar. When we arrived he shook my hand. I stood off to the side and watched as my groomsmen made it to the front of the church. Then came Russel and Harrison, our flower girl and ring bearer. Following them were four beautiful women, Sidney’s bridesmaids (my sister, both of Sidney’s sisters, and Sidney’s best friend). With everyone now in their places except for the most important person, the time had arrived for the best moment of any wedding.

Sidney appeared at the start of the aisle looking breathtakingly gorgeous. With her dad to her right they started to walk toward me. St. Andrew has a looooooong aisle so it took a minute for them to reach the point of no return. When they arrived at the fourth pew from the front, Fr. LeBlanc nudged me to go get her. I walked to Mr. Sid (Sidney is named after her dad) and gave him a handshake followed by a hug. He then took Sidney’s hand and placed it in mine. Sid and I then walked to the front of the altar where Fr. LeBlanc stood before us.

Hallelujah! We had made it this far!

Fr. LeBlanc started the service, greeted the congregation, and said the opening prayers. Sid and I then walked up onto the altar and sat in our two chairs right next to Fr. LeBlanc. Just like at a regular Catholic mass, two readings are said at a Catholic wedding service. A relative of Sidney’s, Ed Galloway, gave the first reading. Before he read from the book of Genesis he spoke a few eloquent words about the Mathis family. After Ed spoke and did the reading, the responsorial psalm was performed. Then one half of our sponsor couple, the same man who said the blessing at our rehearsal dinner, Tim McCormick, gave the second reading. Call us cliché, but Sidney and I went with the standard “Love is patient, love is kind…” passage from 1 Corinthians.

The proclamation of the gospel and the delivery of the homily was done by Fr. LeBlanc. Looking over at us as he talked, Father stressed that it wasn’t him administering the Holy Sacrament of Marriage. Rather, it was Sidney and I. It was such a powerful way of saying that the two of us, along with God, held the power for a long and successful marriage.

Suddenly Father LeBlanc switched the tone of his voice, looked at us again, and asked, “Are you ready to do this?!”

Before we knew it, Sid and I were once again up in front of the altar. Although this time our eyes were locked and we were standing directly across from each other so the congregation could see us 100% as opposed to our backs being to everyone. My brother was standing on my side and Sidney’s sisters were standing on her side. At this point, we went off script just a little…

Sidney and I just about to say our vows (photo credit to Bill Plate).

As part of his best man duties, it was rehearsed that Glen would present the rings. However, Fr. LeBlanc had a better idea. He asked Harrison, our three-year-old ring bearer nephew, to do the honors. Now it would have been totally understandable if Harrison got scared or froze during this very unpredictable time; but he didn’t. Harrison took the plate that the rings rested on while Fr. LeBlanc sprinkled them with holy water. He then let Harrison bring the plate to us so we could take our rings and say our vows. The little guy did a masterful job. Word is still out on whether my brother has forgiven Harrison for stealing his most important job.

We spoke our vows with sincerity and conviction to each other. We could feel the Holy Spirit within us. Fr. LeBlanc talked about how we were now one. He then gave a blessing over us and that was it…WE WERE MARRIED!

Sidney and I right after we signed our marriage license.

Ode to Joy started to play and Sidney and I shared a kiss. We then walked back up the aisle. I had successfully held in my emotions for the entirety of the service but once we hit the vestibule of the church a few tears flowed. We were congratulated by family and friends but we couldn’t bask in that glory long. We had to go back down to the altar and sign our wedding papers. The photographer then took some photos of us and that sealed it. Our business at the church, very important business might I add, was finished. It was time for Mr. and Mrs. Reser to head to the reception. Don’t Blink.

* A blog post centering on the reception will come soon. Professional photos were taken at the wedding but not used for this post.

Inside Our Rehearsal Dinner

Posted on June 21, 2016 by brent

In preparing to get married, one of the toughest things we had to do was decide on where we wanted to hold our rehearsal dinner. Although Myrtle Beach is home to hundreds of restaurants, we had a rough time selecting that perfect place.

We ended up deciding on a location about four months out. Our choice was Thoroughbreds, a fine dining establishment specializing in steak and seafood. When we went and met with the restaurant general manager and ate the food, we were very confident that we made a great selection. However, all the confidence in the world would mean nothing if the food/service didn’t satisfy on the day of our rehearsal dinner.

After we chose Thoroughbreds we went and ate dinner there to try it out. It was amazing.

But it definitely did satisfy. Add to that the atmosphere and organization of our rehearsal dinner and it turned out to be a very successful evening. Let me just briefly explain…

On the Monday of our wedding week, my parents met with the general manager (great guy named David) at the restaurant. They went over the seating arrangement, menu, and several other details. When my parents left the meeting and met us at a bar across the street from Thoroughbreds they also seemed confident that everything was in order.

We had a party of 32. Half of this was comprised of people who participated in the actual rehearsal at the church. Because the rehearsal got out a little early, all of us in the church group arrived at Throughbreds a few minutes before the other people started arriving. This worked out great because first of all, we all needed an immediate drink. Secondly, it allowed us to be good hosts and greet and introduce our guests. There was always the possibility that the rehearsal could have went long and guests not within the church group could have shown up without anyone there.

A look at the layout of our rehearsal dinner at Thoroughbreds. It was very elegant (photo credit to Jay).

A nice cocktail period was held and then people started to sit down. Sidney and I sat at the head table with our parents. Four tables fit for seating of 6-7 people each shot off at different angles from the head table. We had our own private spacious room in the restaurant. Making it even better was the fact that this room was upstairs and thus completely separated from the rest of the establishment.

A couple different views of the head table for our rehearsal dinner at Throughbreds

My dad called the rehearsal dinner to order. He thanked everyone for coming and then turned the floor over to Tim McCormick, the man who along with his wife, Kathy, served as the sponsor couple for Sidney and I. Tim said a few words about us and then delivered a beautiful blessing.

Sidney and I with Tim and Kathy McCormick at our rehearsal dinner. Tim gave a great blessing (photo credit to Glen).

It was now my dad’s time. He gave his speech that he had worked on for a couple weeks, stopping only two or three times to regain his composure as the tears came. He did a wonderful job. After he concluded, he asked if everyone in the room would stand up and introduce themselves. This is when it got really special…

My dad delivering his speech (photo credit to Glen).

People in the room just didn’t stand up real quick and say their name. Rather, each person took time to explain who they were and then spoke a little bit about Sidney and I. It was a genuine, intimate several moments. It really set the stage for a perfect rehearsal dinner.

The food started to come out. The servers brought out our individual appetizers first (all guests had the option of three different items). Then came the salad. Then came the main course! The menu was set up so you could choose between prime rib, filet mignon, crab cakes, or salmon. I opted for the prime rib and I was treated with a HUGE cut. Lastly the dessert came as we all had to decide between the difficult choice of cheesecake or chocolate cake.

A look at the prime rib dinner complete with the Snapchat geofilter we used for the rehearsal. I had it activated at the church and at Thoroughbreds.

In between the courses, people would get up from their tables and stroll over to another table to say hello. The trio of servers who took care of our party did a fabulous job serving drinks and making sure each different course was brought out at the perfect time. David came in a few times to make sure everything was running smoothly.

With the meal starting to conclude, Sid and I received the paparazzi treatment. As we stood in front of the head table, family members and friends gathered and started to take photos. It got pretty intense but it was fun. As we were planning our exit, several people remarked that the next time they come to Myrtle Beach they would be eating at Thoroughbreds. Beyond the food, everyone seemed to say that they had a pleasant evening helping us to celebrate our impending marriage.

A look at how different people used our geofilter at the rehearsal dinner.

Sidney and I left together; she rode with a bridesmaid up front and I rode with a groomsmen in the back. Although the stress of the next day’s wedding still loomed, a weight was lifted off our shoulders. The rehearsal dinner was a success. It was classy, memorable, and delicious. Here is a BIG THANK YOU to my parents. Don’t Blink.

Weddings Are About Family

Posted on June 20, 2016 by brent

Most of you know that I am a big family guy. Having lived in a different state from my parents and siblings since I was 18, you learn to appreciate them more. This appreciation grew even greater a couple years ago when the distance between us went from just a “different state” to a “different coast.”

Needless to say, I was beyond thrilled to welcome my family to Myrtle Beach for our wedding week. Loved ones would trickle in throughout those days. It all started when my parents and brother landed here in town on Monday morning and ended when my aunt and cousin drove in during the middle of the night on Friday after landing in Charleston.

My dad and I hanging out in the condo.

My parents rented a big condo in a popular area of Myrtle Beach. Well, it seemed big on Monday. The three bedroom unit was spacious at the start of the week but by the time Friday rolled around, my parents and brother had welcomed several other people into their quarters. At its peak occupancy over the weekend, the condo had 11 people sleeping under the roof.

This was the outside of the condo building that my family stayed in.

And it was so awesome.

The place was stocked with food and drinks. A cozy patio provided a great gathering place with a perfect view. Couches and chairs provided plenty of seating inside. The condo owner had the place decorated in a way that gave it a nice beach feel. Speaking of the beach, it was just five minutes away. So was our house, Broadway at the Beach, and the church we got married at.

Some of the fine ladies who traveled to Myrtle Beach who stayed in the condo (photo credit to Jay).

Some of the fine ladies who traveled to Myrtle Beach standing in the condo (photo credit to Jay).

However, the amenities and location wasn’t the big reason why it was so spectacular. Rather, it was because we were all together. Like I said, 11 people slept there. Combine that with Sidney and I plus other visitors and that place was rocking. We watched the NBA Finals, played Phase 10, enjoyed drinks, and just hung out. It was the Reser Family Headquarters and we loved it.

A group of us playing Phase 10 out on the condo porch area (photo credit to Jay).

Of course it wasn’t just about one family. When the condo was empty, it was because the Resers and the Mathis clan were hanging out together. On Thursday night, Sidney’s sisters hosted a big picnic dinner. Chicken bog was served, corn hole was played, and a beautiful South Carolina evening was enjoyed. Our two families got to know each other and everyone was able to put names to faces. The same thing happened the next night with the rehearsal dinner. By the wedding and the reception, relationships were made and the fact that the two families would forever be connected was appreciated and embraced.

This line of shoes right inside the condo helps to show the amount of people who stayed under that roof (photo credit to Nancy).

So many memories were made over the week and weekend. Whenever I drive by the Myrtlewood condo area, I will always remember the fabulous time we all had. Whenever I am in the backyard of Sidney’s sister, I will always have a glimpse in my head of when it was filled with a bunch of different people celebrating the start of our marriage.

It was so nice having family in Myrtle Beach. On our wedding night, Sid and I played putt putt with this fun group!

Thank you to Miranda, Jay, Zella, Mikayla, Glen, Ashley, Nancy, Abby, Cody, and of course my parents for making that condo experience so much fun. Also, thanks to Sidney, Kenny, Barb, and Denny for taking time to stop by and add even more joy within those walls. The #SidAndBrent wedding would not have been so sweet without the support and enthusiasm of our families and friends. We are blessed. Don’t Blink.

Back As a Married Man

Posted on June 19, 2016 by brent

What a two weeks it has been.

I took the longest break from Don’t Blink since I started it five years ago to take care of some serious business: I got married.

With the nuptials came the arrival of family, the occurrence of wedding week activities, the final mad dash to get everything ready for the big day, the honeymoon, and much more. I elected not to write during this period so I could fully participate in these once-in-a-lifetime events without trying to carve out time to compose 700-word posts. It was well worth it.

Since I last wrote, I have become a husband and a son-in-law. I have added a niece, a nephew, and a couple of sisters-in-law. Our Reser family name now includes an additional person. My bachelor status that lasted me almost three decades is no longer.

I became a husband when I married Sidney on June 11.

If you follow me on social media, you weren’t kept in the dark. Throughout the past 14 days I posted content from the memorable marital ride Sidney and I went on. However, if you aren’t connected with me via social networks or if you just crave the detail that blog posts delve into, let me catch you up…

I enjoyed the best time of my life.

When you experience the highlights of your time on earth it is tough, if not impossible, to write about it all in a single blog post. With that said, I am not going to try to attempt it. Instead, I will take the next week or so to write a series of blog posts that will chronicle various aspects of the #SidAndBrent adventure. I will fill you in on a variety of topics including the week leading up to our big day, the wedding itself, our honeymoon, and more. Read the ones you want, skip the posts that bore you.

Until then, this blog post is just to say that it was a blessed past couple of weeks and that my wife and I are doing great. Sidney and I arrived back in Myrtle Beach today and we are ready to fully start our married life together. Thanks for the tremendous support we have received from so many of you! We will talk more in the coming days. Don’t Blink.

Don't Blink

By Brent Reser

Monthly Archives: June 2016