11 Days: Sagamore Hills, the Fuller Boys and Mr. Varner

It is often said that a wedding represents a snapshot of an individual's life.  Where that wedding takes place; who is invited, who is able to attend, who plays a pivotal role; relationships you have; where you are in your career, your journey, your life.  As years go by, those who may have participated are lost by the wayside of time and circumstance.  What was once inevitable becomes less so.  What once was thought inconceivable now seems certain.  Time is to blame and to thank.

Yet, as with generalities, one finds anomalies.  Some relationships endure, never vanquish, always exist.  As time chugs along, as situations evolve, as circumstances morph, some people stand steady in that same familiar place they've always stood.  We find comfort in the familiar; we learn to rely and depend it.  Where change is exciting, familiar is reliable.  Without familiar, change becomes less exciting and more frightening.  Everyone should be blessed to have the familiar.

Thankfully, I do.  In abundance.  I grew up in Sagamore Hills, a little slice of land located near Woolrich whose beauty and personality is only surpassed by the young, burgeoning families that moved in and called it home.  The Fultzes to my right, the Bryertons to my left; the Blacks down the street, the Spitzers and then the Stutzs across from my brother's window.  The Walkers and then the Conigliaros; the Howells and then the Fryes down the way; the Craigs up the hill, the Eberles and Magents down the hill.  All of these names may sound familiar or less so.  All of these names played a part in my childhood that I think back upon fondly.  In reality, a neighborhood is either a collection of homes that are situated closely together.....or so much more.  Sagamore Hills is most definitely the latter.

And, within that little slice of land, arose my familiar.  Down the street to my left, a white house with columns in the forefront and a great yard for baseball in the back, lived the Fuller family.  The mother was serene, generous, classy, inviting, and kind.  The father was blunt, honest, hilarious, a man of integrity, strong, and.....blunt.  Their oldest son was athletic, gregarious, big, intimidating, and, like his father, blunt.  Unsurprisingly, after making fun of his ginger friend across the street for decades, he grew up, out-kicked his coverage, and married a kind and beautiful......ginger. The youngest was funny, athletic, a goon, naturally talented, and intimidated by me. Also, unsurprisingly, the great girl in Josh's life is still going through the decision-process of determining if this maniac is right for her. 

From Jason winning the 'Loser Leaves Neighborhood' fight with Michael Spitzer to me putting a whooping on Josh and discarding him over the white picket fence like a sack of potatoes in our front yard, something exciting was always transpiring in our little neck of the woods.  Sandlot football, wiffle ball, and driveway hoops.  Endless contests of John Madden Football on the Sega, numerous viewing of high school football and basketball tape, and many, many games of flashlight tag.  The Fuller Boys were great neighbors, even better people. Josh, Jason, and their mother, Mrs. Fuller, would be invited to my wedding in 1998, 2008, 2015, 2036; they're special people.  Unfortunately, Mr. Fuller - as he was always called by this guy as a sign of respect - passed away.  As I said on the day of his funeral, cancer walked away knowing it was in a fight with him. We miss him, dearly.  The Fuller Boys are my friends and I'm honored that they will be attending my wedding.

And, if the Fuller boys were my familiar, my *danger* was located down two hills, past the Eberles, and found in a small tan house across the street from the Snyders.  His mother, naturally, was personable, possessed an excellent sense of humor, even wrestled with me on occasion, and had the patience only produced by God's hands.  The reason her patience was so strong.....John Edward Varner.  A young man who had an unquenchable thirst for action, danger, controversy, neighborhood shenanigans, young ladies, and, in general, living life to its fullest.  Hilarious, interesting, never boring, and unpredictable, Mr. Varner gave me the honor and pleasure of being his wing-man on some crazy-ass adventures, some not fit for print.  And, while this probably rings familiar to those that know of this great man, there was also a side to him that is less known.  Loyal, dependable, extremely smart, caring, and always up to listen to another's problems, or, 'clear the hopper' as we call it.  From 'throwing' (inside joke), to driving to various spots in his White Oldsmobile, to hitting unsuccessfully on many, many ladies, John is a friend of unparalleled energy and excitement and loyalty.  When asked by family members and strangers alike, "Who of your friends are you the most similar?", I inevitably respond with John's name.  I'm thankful that, just as 20 years ago, that still remains true and I'm honored that he will be attending my wedding.

Sometimes, familiar breeds boredom and causes one to take for granted the gifts and traits of another. Sagamore Hills, the Fuller Boys, and John Edward Varner will never be taken for granted nor cause me boredom.  They helped me grow up and become a man.  I'm thankful they'll see that on full display on August 8th, 2015.