So....why did we decide to get married in New Orleans during Mardi Gras?

That's a good question.

Honestly, I just think that it seemed right to both of us.  New Orleans was a city we both loved, and Mardi Gras is a time where anything can happen.  It might be a cliche, but it really is magical.  It's like there's this giant wall between Mardi Gras and the world, and everything in the Vieux Carre is alive and protected.  It's difficult to describe if you haven't gone, and the accounts of Mardi Gras in the press tend to focus on the negatives.  Granted, there are a lot of negatives in certain areas....sloppy drunks and hormonally challenged frat-boys among them.  But underneath there's friendly people, beautiful scenery, and this ability to be completely open...nothing you do is surprising.  It's a place where you can leave everything behind and just be yourself.

In addition to the magic of Mardi Gras, we were having trouble finding a way to involve all of the people that we wanted.  We tried and tried to come up with a place and a way to make us happy by getting all of the people we love as a part of the wedding.  But, due to travel problems, location difficulties (as well as money issues) we just couldn't figure anything out.

Then Kevin Kefgen called.  He said he had a hotel room at Mardi Gras we were welcome to share.  Now, for those of you who don't know, Kevin is essentially the reason Bets and I met.  He was a mutual friend at Morehead, and was a confidant to both of us as we were developing our relationship.  It is quite accurate to say that we probably would not be together today without his gentle prodding all those years ago.

When we started discussing it, it just seemed perfect in so many ways.  The only problem was that we weren't sure it would happen.  That is, since it was another state, we had to research the requirements for marriage, find out where we could do it, and then try to find a judge that was on duty during Mardi Gras.  So, we planned it, but kept it a secret because the only thing worse than not telling everyone would have been telling them, and then having it fall through.

But it didn't fall through, and on February 26, 2001, Betsy Sandlin and Jason Griffey tied the knot.

Check back in a week or so, and there will be audio of the ceremony...we're still working the bugs out.  For now, enjoy the pictures!