You Know You Are a Redneck When…..

Some people think of the term “redneck” as a derogatory term. In our vocabulary nothing could be further from the truth. It is a way of life, a philosophy, good country folk living life the way it should be and something to strive for…..

So when Kevin asked me to be the best man at this wedding to Cheryl, I knew it would be a true country wedding and one to remember. They story of Kevin and Cheryl started a short six months ago but when they met it was love at first sight. We were in South Dakota and he was in Wisconsin but Barb and I would talk to Kevin on the phone almost every day as he would describe his relationship with Cheryl and how much he liked her. 

Within weeks he had proposed marriage but there was one contingency….. he had to pass the Jim and Barb test. Little did they know anyone that makes Kevin that happy already passes the test. Barb was just happy that he met someone as she thought she might be spoon feeding both Kevin and I into our golden years! 

Now a lot of people thought Kevin was crazy (probably a lot of Cheryl’s friends and family as well) but Barb and I were not ones to judge. Barb and I knew each other only 3 months before we were married as well and that was 32 wonderful years ago. In fact we had not met most of each other’s family members until after we were married. 

We finally got to meet Cheryl several weeks later when they drove out to South Dakota and we could see instantly how in love they were. It was like they were kids in high school and we could not be happier for them. We got to know Cheryl better over the next several months when they came out to work on their property and further confirmed what a great woman she is and that they were a great couple. 

The wedding date was set for August 25^th and the arrangements started. We left Pasha Lake on August 20^th so we could get down and help set up the barn and help out any other way possible.

Our travel from Ontario to Wisconsin went very smoothly. At the border the border crossing agent asked the usual questions; (Agent)What are you bringing back with you from Canada? (Us) Two limits of walleye and some blueberries. (Agent) What do you do for a living? (Us) We are retired (Agent) Must be nice, I will trade spots with you (Us) No thanks (Agent) Welcome back to the United States, have a nice day.

We stopped along the way and spent the night at the Grand Portage State Park Rest Area just across the Minnesota/Ontario border. Since this such a remote stretch of highway we practically had the place to ourselves. While I caught up on some much needed rest Barb went for a hike to check out the waterfalls in the area.

Boardwalk to the falls

One of two falls in the area

The next day we drove the remaining 4 hours and arrived at the wedding venue. The owners were nice enough to allow us to park in their hay field for the next 5 days. It offered us a free site and allowed us to get be there to help out getting everything ready for the big day!

We were also able to meet up with my brother Bob and his wife Greta, my sister Judy and her husband Mike along with one of my nieces and her husband for dinner at our favorite bar The Thirsty Otter for their all you can eat rib night! We were so busy talking I forgot to take a picture!

The day finally came, the weather was great (a little hot) and everything was set. The funniest part of the service was when Kevin had to read his vows and forgot his reading glasses. He could not read one word on that piece of paper so looking over his shoulder I quietly read the vows as he repeated them. As of this moment I am not sure if Kevin married Cheryl or if I did! It met and exceeded our expectations of a true country wedding and now the happy lovebirds are man and wife.

Mr. and Mrs. Filip

That said, I cannot help but poke fun at my best buddy and their redneck country wedding……(Hey, what are friends for?!?!?)

So without further ado, You Know You Are a Redneck When…..

·        You meet the woman of your dreams on Farmers Only.com

Yes, it is true. Kevin and Cheryl met on Farmers Only. They even made mention of it in their vows. They should write Farmers Only and maybe appear in an upcoming commercial!

Another Famers Only match!

·        The bachelor party consists of beer and guns

The day before the wedding a bunch of us went shooting sporting clays at a local shooting range. Nothing better than mixing guns and alcohol (we waited until after the shooting was done before we hit the bar). 

·        The wedding takes place in a horse barn

The venue started out as an empty riding area.....

….. to this in a few hours

The dance floor/alter and a couple of kids that escaped the kid stall!

·        The wedding aisle consists of shavings

Looking down the aisle.....

·        The brides dressing room is a horse stall

Don't worry, we cleaned it up and put in fresh shavings for the bride!

·        The dance floor is bordered by hay bales

The dance floor/alter ready for a wedding!

Kevin and Cheryl putting on some moves....

·        Beer is served out of a canoe full of ice

Every canoe should be filled with ice and beer!

·        The children are locked in a horse stall

The children's play stall

·        Your wedding cake comes from Dairy Queen
·        You have a jeep on your wedding cake

The cake actually was very cool. Cheryl made a scale model of the home the two of them will be building in South Dakota. She did an awesome job and who doesn't love a DQ cake!

The two redneck couples on the left live on Bone Lake where we used to  

Two rednecks who had a really good time!

The next day we cleaned up the barn, returned all the tables to the fire department and hit the road for South Dakota as we have to be there in time to meet our next guests Dino and Lisa who will be visiting when we get back!