Letting My Mind Wander With A: Nick and Aimee Custom

[polarbear]

A new one for the month, guys

Please feel free to let me know what you think...

As my 20’s move ever forward into my 30’s I’m confronted with fact that eventually society expects me to settle down and get married. I guess you could argue that in this day and age the institution of marriage is becoming less and less relevant, and as a child of divorce you may expect me to agree, but as I grow older I find that I enjoy the concept of marriage. Call me old fashioned, but there is something I enjoy about standing up in front of everyone who is important in your life and proclaiming your affections for one singular person. In a world where the dating scene is becoming more and more fluid, I feel it’s an important gesture to show the world that you have found someone who is perfect for you and who you are prepared to stick with, through the good times and the bad times. While my own “big day” may still be many years away I have been honoured by some of my friends when I’ve been asked to take part in their weddings. As it stands I’ve been a groomsman, best man or usher on a number of occasions, all for different couples. Every single time I’ve been asked, I’ve been enthused at the opportunity to take an active role in the day where some of my long term friends tie their respective knots.

I always try to do something special for the bride and groom on their big days. Sometimes this is a simple as organising some great cars to carry the bridal party to the ceremony. Sometimes it’s as complicated as telling the mother of the bride to “pull her head in” during the reception, when she’s had a few too many and getting loud. One such occasion, I organised some custom cigars as a wedding present for the groom, as a souvenir of the day and to help him remember the guys that stood beside him during the biggest day of his life. I mainly did it because I figured, as the best man, I was the only one who would get away with such things, plus it would make for some interesting photos. After the ceremony, when everyone was getting things sorted, the male half of the bridal party ducked around a corner for a quick cigar and couple of beers while all the bridesmaids had their photos taken. Nick gifted me a couple of the special cigars to add to my stash after the day was done, and considering it is now one year since the bride and groom tied the knot, I figured I’d smoke one of the few I have left and see how they’re progressing.

So, here’s to another 12 months of happiness

The first thing that is of mention with this cigar is obviously the custom band. It has Nick and Aimees name on it and the date of the big day. I figured this would be handy in the years to come in case the exact date of his anniversary slipped Nicks mind. The cigar is a 6x52 torpedo and is perfectly rolled, with a uniform firmness along the length of the cigar. I’m not sure where the tobacco for this cigar comes from, but considering the person who supplied me with these cigars is based in the US, I’m guessing it’s not Cuban. I cut the tip and take a draw. The resistance is a little open for my liking but it offers me touches of earth and a slight mustiness. I take my lighter and toast the foot, when it greets me with a nice orange glow, I take my first draw. Thankfully the draw has tightened just enough to make it perfect, also rewarding me notes of toasted tobacco and touches of the earthiness from the dry draw. The happy couple are all tucked away in a flash hotel for the evening, wanting none of my company this night, so I put my feet up and allow my mind to wander.

Nick was not the first of my cigar loving friends to tie the knot. But he was the first to have the brilliant idea to have it in another country. I was told this was a ploy to help keep the guest list short and therefore, the costs down. Thinking about it now, I don’t really blame him. Aimee was the sort of girl who wanted a dream wedding but unfortunately they didn’t have the cash to facilitate a dream wedding with a large guest list. I sat down with the pair of them during the planning stages and helped shrink the guest list down from the original 97 people to a more manageable 35. We figured we’d lose 5-10 people thanks to the fact they would need to travel outside of Aus in order to attend and wound up with a list of only the couples closest friends and family. Fast forward 13 months later, I found myself standing in Queenstown New Zealand, waiting to clear customs while being surrounded by two thirds of the guests for the wedding. Customs cleared, the boys jumped in their hire car and made way to the hotel that we would call home base for the next 4 days. It had been arranged for the girls to stay on one side of the hotel and the guys on the other. We had 3 days to kill before Nick and Aimee tied the knot so I looked at it as a chance to have a last ditch “Weekend with the boys” before Nick signed his life away and settled down with the love of his life.

The cigar has opened up with a medium bodied salty caramel note on the pallet that I’m really enjoying. Combine this with a touch of cream through the nose and a long toasted tobacco finish and I have to admit these are better than I remember. The smoke is nice and think, lingering in the air with a trademark cigar smell to it. I can’t pick anything else out of the smell other than good old fashioned cigar tobacco. The ash holds on for about 2 inches until I insist it depart into my ashtray. So far, a great stick.

With our bags unpacked and a quick test fitting of all our suits to ensure everything still fit the way it was supposed to, we found ourselves pretty thirsty. It was decided that as lovely as our apartment was, there was a serious lack of beer. We all piled into the car to search out refreshments and some dinner. As one would imagine, a bunch of guys searching for food without the guidance of their partners, we ended up returning to the apartment with 3 extra-large pizzas (seriously, they were 24inches across, each!) and around 10,2ltr bottles of Irish Cider (a steal at only $4 a bottle). The night was shaping up to be a big one, but with only 3 days of freedom for Nick left, he wasn’t going to tell us to slow down. We ate, drank and made merry until the early hours of the morning. I woke up the next morning feeling a bit dusty. My sore head was made all the more unpleasant thanks to the sound of Gareth being sick after consuming the bulk of one pizza and a decent amount of beer the night before. Nick walked out of his room looking like death on holiday and Steven was still passed out where we left him, on the veranda. We all figured out who was the most sober of us and set out in search of breakfast, another beer and some supplies to last us the time we were in town. We found a burger joint that was so good it deserves more praise than I am able to give it, which also served beer at 10 in the morning, so we had breakfast sorted. We did some shopping and booked a reservation at a steak house for dinner before returning to the apartment for a quick shower in prep for the wedding rehearsal that afternoon. I hoped to squeeze a quick nap in there somewhere as well.

The cigar is well underway and has continued its fine form. The toasted tobacco finish has intensified on my pallet, mixed with a touch of chocolate. These flavours are replicated through the nose. Combined, they remind me of the Lamingtons my mother used to make for me when I was a kid. The toasted tobacco finish is still present but it now has a touch of earthiness to it. It balances out the flavours nicely and lingers long enough for me to fully appreciate it.

At this point in the story I’ll jump ahead to the big day. I’m sure you’d all like to hear about the drunken days and nights, but that’s not what we’re here for today. After 3 days and 3 nights of good old fashioned fun, the big day had arrived. We had a car picking us up at 3pm for a 4:30pm kick off. Pete (the husband of a bridesmaid) and I had dropped in on the bride the night before to make sure they had everything they needed and to reassure Aimee that Nick would be where he was supposed to be on time. The rest of the boys chilled out in the living room, watching a replay of some rugby game while I sat on the balcony, smoking a cigar and reading my book. At 1pm I went to the lads and said “time to get this thing started”. As soon as the suit bags came out I noticed Nick got very quiet. I saw him sitting there, looking at his suit on its hanger. I sat down next to him and said “you know, this is gonna happen whether you put that on or not, right?” He looked at me and smiled. “Guess you’re right”. He got up and dragged the suit into the bedroom to change while I made sure the other lads knew what was supposed to go where. A short while later, Nick walked out of his room, fully dress in his Tux with the exception of his tie, he did not look comfortable in this outfit. Nick, never being the sort of guy to get all dressed up, I could tell this was not the type of attire he preferred. He handed me his tie and said “I hope you know how these things work”. Truth was, I didn’t, but You Tube is a glorious thing and he was dressed to impress in no time. When it was done I brushed some lint off his shoulder and took a step back to make sure everything was right. “How do I look?” he said. I looked him up and down and said “I’d **** ya”.

As the cigar progresses it give me more of the same as the first two thirds. This is not a bad thing as they proved to be quite enjoyable. The toasted tobacco and chocolate is still present on the pallet as is the lamington-esqe note through the nose. The finish has become a little ashy but with a strong black coffee undertone. It is not unpleasant, just unusual. The construction on this stick has maintained its high form and the burn is still razor sharp. I let the ash get to a little under 3 inches before tapping it into my ashtray.

As promised, I managed to get Nick to the Chapel on time, despite a few problems with our organised transport. Nick, Steven, Gareth and I stood at the altar, each dressed in 3 piece tux with Black Converse All Star Sneakers on (a request from the bride). Seats were taken and positions assumed as the music started. I turned just in time to see 4 beautiful bridesmaids, dressed in black dresses and Red Converse sneakers, make their way down the aisle and to their spots opposite the boys. The music changed and there was Aimee, dressed in a flowing white gown with red highlights, being led by her father, both looking as though they were fighting back tears. Nick shook the hand of the Father of The Bride before turning to face his love. Rings were given, vows exchanged and then the deal was sealed with a kiss, to the applause of all who’d gathered. With the important part of the day over, and Nick and Aimee officially married, I was able to relax a little. The guests made their way up to the reception hall while the bridal party were shuffled off for photos. The photographer came over; bearing a basket filled with beer and told us to take 5 while he did the girls pictures. I pulled 4 cigars out of my suit pocket and handed them round. We all stood round and smoked our cigars, much to the disapproval of Aimee, but it was Nick’s day too and we did have some time to kill. After handing him a beer, Nick looked at his cigar and said “these are actually pretty decent”. “Ha! Would you expect anything less?” I said, a smile on my face and cigar clenched between my teeth. Nick put his hand on my shoulder and said “listen, thank you. Not just for the cigars, but for everything. I don’t know if I would be here right now if it weren’t for you”. I just smiled and turned to look at the girls, posing for pictures, “look at that girl of yours” I said, “you would’ve done just fine without me”.

The band that inspired these wanderings of mine has been removed as the cigar burns towards it. The ashy taste from before has intensified and has told me that it’s time to put it down. I let it smoulder away as I ponder the future. Another happy day. Another happy couple. Nick and Aimee are in the process of beginning another stage in their lives together, moving to Canada to broaden their respective horizons. The excitement and anticipation of the day they leave has been building for months and I wish them well on their new adventure. My mind wonders to the people we choose to surround ourselves with, and the impact they have on the directions our lives take. I have no doubt that Nick and Aimee would have had no trouble finding each other, had I not been around to encourage the introduction, some 7 years ago. It does lead me to wonder if I would be where I am now without their guidance over the years. As a couple, they have often served as the Angel on my shoulder, when big decisions in my life needed to be made. Steering me towards the right path and subsequently into adulthood, even though I so desperately clung to my adolescence. As I come to accept the fact that they will be taking less of a part in my life for the foreseeable future, I wonder what will come next for me, and for them. I guess only time will tell.

[hiball99]

Great review! I really enjoy the stories that go along with your reviews.

[LordAnubis]

Nice! It's a good idea to get a special box of cigars made up for the wedding cos i sure as **** will forget my wedding date. Guarantee it.. same thing goes for kids birthdays etc.

[Pedro2486]

Great job as always bro

Nice touch on the converse sneakers

[mncz]

This seems like a very special and beneficial exercise for you. Thanks for sharing and keep 'em coming.