Esteban and Hill's Wedding: The Perfect Storm

When I was young(ish) I heard tell of a fiery fellow who was the older brother of the wonder boy I had a huge crush on. Rumor had it that wonder boy’s brother generally did not like the girls he dated. I do not know if there was any truth to this hearsay. But I do remember being afraid of him, or at least of what he thought of me. Whenever we play ‘Word on the Street’ I still sort of am. I do not know why. Probably because he’s extremely intelligent, and occasionally when conversing with him he morphs his face into a fierce interpretation of “The Scream.” It’s pretty scary.

But on the inside Esteban is all heart. I can see his sweet insides ooze whenever he’s around my boys. And they love him too. How could they not? He is funny, a great playmate, and can grow a killer beard—all traits that his new wife Hill adores as well. I adore them both and I look forward to every chance we will get to spend time with them.

Esteban and Hill’s wedding today was like a dream: an intimate setting, a classy feeling, finely tuned details and a whole lot of love. If I could go back I would copy her bouquet—peonies, fresh hay grass and various green buds. Esteban also wore some sort of green bud on his lapel, to which Atrain said, “That’s crazy, uncle Esteban!” And then he proceeded to pick all of the grass flowers he could find for the newly married bride and groom. I admire the way Esteban and Hill do things. These two will be inspiring me for years to come.

The couple married later in the day and then had a beautiful dinner with close friends and family out on the farmland great Grandpa worked for decades. It also took a lot of work to orchestrate their dutch-oven dinner there—especially with the thunderstorm that rolled through during the temple ceremony and literally tore the tents, tables and décor apart. When we came out of the Manti temple and heard the thunder rolling in the distance, anxiety levels were peaked. My heart was aching for Hill. But Esteban held her tight, said “oh, don’t cry,” and then rushed to the scene to put it all back together.

It was beautiful: not just the way the way the light canopy twinkled in the sunset; the way the bushels of sage and basil were strewn across moss and potato sacs down the tables; the linen topped hay bails used as seats; the blue-grass music drifting across acres of green crops; or even the eclectic, take-home memento china plates the steaming dutch-oven dinner was served on. It was the way it was done—their vision, careful planning, persistence, and desire for the family to be—not just an accessory to, but a part of their special day. Being there made me feel special.

I can’t wait to witness and learn from all the incredible things these two do with their lives together. They inspire me—so much that I revised a well-known blue grass song, “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” in their honor. I posted the words yesterday. We had a lot of fun performing it out on the farm during the wedding dinner. Famous and I played the parts of the cast-off ex girlfriends doing the “single ladies” dance during the devil’s musical interlude. Not sure if anyone else thought it was funny, but man it was fun. I’m sure lucky that I love my in-laws. And, let it be on the record that I do not think Esteban is like the devil. Aint no truth to that comparison made in this revision. But truth be told, I do believe Uncle Esteban has a heart of gold.