I touched down in Scotland on Thursday and immediately sent a text to my dear friend Gianni. ”I just landed bro.” “You’ve only got a handbag so I’ll see you soon,” he replied, two minutes later asking “are you outside?”. “Relax, I’m not the captain. I’ll be there as soon as I can.” Outside the airport the groom was so tense he hugged me as if it were us two about to tie the knot. We laughed as he released me from his grip, relieving some of the stress.“Yes, my best man is here!” he screamed.

We drove to his grandparent’s house in Hamilton to meet the rest of his family. After I greeted everyone I stopped for a second as my eyes met his Grandmother. Finally, I get to meet the woman that means so much to my friend, I thought to myself. And then the room lit up. His amazing bride Amanda walked in. She hugged me and said: “Thank God you’re here! Can you calm him down please?”I smiled and said to her and Gianni: “Let’s get to work.”
As the big day was fast approaching, it was time to get our kilts measured. I was trying to understand why the men don’t wear any underwear underneath. I was feeling a bit airy.

“In Scotland women don’t mind a man that can get down to business as quick as possible,” they all laughed. Okay, I thought, whatever it takes to make my homie’s day perfect. Fast forward to 1am on Sunday. It’s the night before the wedding and we are checking into our hotel. After practicing his great speech with me, his second best man Martin, and his witness Callum as his audience, it was time for bed for Gianni. I thought it was bed time for me too, but Martin and Callum had other ideas, convincing me to go for a night out. They managed to twist my arm, and I ended up getting back to my room at 6am. Two hours later my phone started to ring. “Are you awake?” – it was Gianni. “No no, I always talk in my sleep,” I joked. “Is the stress back?” “I’m very emotional Mario,” he explained. “You want to come to my room and chat?”

We now have two guys in a room, one half asleep and the other out of control with stress, chatting like two high school girls discussing their thoughts and feelings. After a few tears and my admirable efforts at holding it together, I managed to get my boy ready for his bride. The following day I experienced the most beautiful and perfect wedding. I asked Gianni and Amanda Capaldi if they would’ve signed in advance for their amazing day, if they knew it would pan out exactly as it had. They both said yes.