Tying the Knot, Oklahoma Style

 

Tying the Knot, Oklahoma Style

Todd Swank's Diary Entry for December 22, 2024

Last weekend, we flew to Tulsa for my niece Lauren's wedding—a whirlwind of love, laughter, and just the right amount of chaos. Weddings can be stressful, but getting together as a family always reminds us how much we enjoy these moments. From catching up with everyone to celebrating Ben & Lauren’s big day, it was a beautiful weekend filled with memories we’ll treasure.

Lauren is my sister Tracy and her husband Dave’s oldest daughter. Over the years, we’ve gotten to know Ben during family vacations, and let me tell you, they’re the kind of couple you actually want to hang out with—not just tolerate at reunions. They’re fun, happy, and clearly love each other. We’re excited to see where life takes them, especially now that they’re legally bound to share one Netflix account together.

Lauren's sister Brittany was the Maid of Honor and basically the event's secret weapon—keeping everything on track and everyone in line without breaking a sweat. We also met her new friend Oscar, who seemed sharp, kind, and quick with a smile. Brittany’s clearly got a knack for surrounding herself with quality people.

My sister Tammy's family also made the trip up from Texas for the festivities. We tried to squeeze in some extra activities together, like visiting Roosevelt’s in Tulsa, a restaurant famous for its over-the-top Christmas decorations. When we arrived, we were hit with a two-hour wait—apparently, holiday spirit comes with a line. Instead of sticking around, we wandered through, snapping pictures and politely confusing the diners as we turned their meals into our backdrop.

It was a blast catching up with my niece Bailey and her husband Justin, and getting to see Mallory again for the first time since the “before times” (a.k.a. pre-Covid) made it even sweeter. We spent the weekend laughing and reminiscing about the good old days when I’d drive them to elementary school, serenade them with custom songs about their favorite Uncle Todd, and finish with a honk loud enough to make their classmates cringe. Turns out, embarrassing them back then was just as fun as celebrating with them now.

Staying at the Brut Hotel in Tulsa came with one highlight we didn’t expect: the rooftop bar becoming our nightly headquarters. Each evening ended with our family taking over, reliving former glory days, and proving we can still shut a place down. Whether it was the drinks, the laughs, or the tab, we definitely made an impression—though probably not one the staff will soon forget.

Catching up with Tracy's lifelong Mason City crew—Jayne, Sue, and Chris—was a blast. And just to clarify, this Chris is Jayne's boyfriend, not their old friend Cris, who couldn’t make it. But hey, how could I pass up the chance for a name pun? The more things change, the more they stay confusing.

By Saturday, all the spreadsheets, Pinterest boards, and wedding prep reached their grand finale—a stunning ceremony at the historic Dresser Mansion. With 200 of their closest friends and family gathered, Lauren and Ben made it official in a setting straight out of a rom-com. It was classy, heartfelt, and just chaotic enough to remind everyone that weddings are the ultimate spectator sport.  We're so happy for the both of them!

We might look a little older, and sure, every family gathering has its fair share of drama, but I love my mom and sisters. Over my 54 years, we’ve been through it all together—laughs, tears, and everything in between. Now we’re here, watching our kids live their best lives, and honestly, just grateful we’re all still standing…even if a few of us groan when we do.

I’m pretty lucky to have this gorgeous woman by my side. Weddings today may come with new traditions and TikTok-inspired trends, but the core of it—love—is timeless. After almost 32 years together, we know one thing for sure: it’s about finding the one person who makes every moment, even the chaotic ones, worth celebrating.

So much planning, so much partying, and so little sleep—it was everything a wedding should be. We danced the night away, and by morning we were barely human enough to make the trek home. But hey, the memories will outlast the exhaustion. Congratulations, Ben and Lauren! Wishing you a “happily ever after” that’s as epic as your big day.

@toddswank Grandma Linda lets loose on the dance floor. #dancegrandma #grandma #dance ♬ original sound - Todd Swank