The best man is Michael Butler, whom I first met when I was in seventh grade.

We’ve gone on a road trip together nearly every since 2005 — hiking Zion National Park, white water rafting in Colorado, spelunking in Kentucky and dolphin swimming in Biloxi. We’ve also taken a few international trips in their days together, including time in Panama and Ireland.

Michael has been an agriscience school teacher, a soil conservationist and a state police officer. We drink beer, smoke cigars and trade gardening tips. Just ask us to sing a country song for you a capella.

-Chris