Hello All,
It was just a few weeks before 9/11 when that taxi dropped me off at Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama. 18 years old. Vulnerable. Confused. Being from Boston, I didn't know a soul within 1,000 miles and there was no question I was running scared from a few things in my past. I never needed a friend so badly in all my life and the next thing I knew, I found one that I'll cherish forever. Joe Kula.
Amongst many other things, by example, Joe taught me to never back down from a fight, and that WE can change the world through hard work and compassion for our fellow man. He also taught me a few things about making incredibly questionable decisions as he produced several DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME movies with me often times the one and only stunt man. For those of you uneasy over me being an adrenaline junky, blame Joe!
Life at times has taken he and I to opposite ends of the earth but I have no doubt that many of my dreams have come true thanks to having him in my corner. Joe, you are a one of a kind friend and family man. I will forever look up to you.
It was an honor and privilege to stand by your side on your wedding day. Everything about your wedding week was wonderful. camping, hiking, rafting, venues etc. The only thing prettier than the view of Mount Hood from your mountain top wedding, was your bride. Not too shabby that Katie has a heart of gold and a glowing personality as well. I look forward to watching the two of you grow old with one another. I should have a pretty good view from your spare bedroom. Surprise!
It wasn't until many years later that I truly appreciated the two very different courses my life could have taken in the Fall of 2001. Attending Spring Hill College that year and meeting Joe Kula were two of the best things to ever happen to me in my life. Joe, you are a man who has changed my life forever.
May today be just the beginning of a lifetime of dreams to come true for you and Katie.
The Future Is No Place To Place Your Better Days
Mark/Chops
PS. To the Spring Hill College crew: There must be something in the water down in Alabama. You are some of the most friendly and kind people on planet earth. Never change! Take It EEEASSYYY!!
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| RATTLESNAKE RIDGE WITH DR. JONES. WE ACTUALLY JOINED A SUCCESSFUL SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAM EARLIER THAT DAY ON THE TRAIL. CRAZY DAY |
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| HIGH SCHOOL BUDDIES, CLEMSON BUDDIES, DISASTER RESPONSE TEAM BUDDIES ALL MEET UP FOR DINNER IN SEATTLE. I KNOW I AM LUCKY |
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| KAYAKING LAKE WASHINGTON TOWARDS U OF WASHINGTON'S STADIUM! |
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| 8 MEN ABOUT TO ENTER THE WILD ON THE OLYMPIC PENNINSULA! GENTLEMEN, THESE ARE BEAR CANISTERS, NOT BEER CANISTERS!! |
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| EARLY MORNING HOUR ON SECOND BEACH IN THE OLYMPIC PENINSULA NATIONAL PARK. BREATHLESS. |
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| PUTTING THE BEAR CANISTERS TO GOOD USE. BEACH GAMES! |
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| CHARLIE AND THE GROOM TO BE JOE KULA ON THEIR WAY BACK TO CAMP WITH SOME MUCH NEEDED FIRE WOOD! |
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| SUN IS SETTING. CAMP IS UP AND RUNNING! |
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| SAID INDIVIDUAL WILL REMAIN NAMELESS. ALMOST USED THE TENT PROPERLY |
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| PACIFIC NORTHWEST AT ITS FINEST. NOT MANY PLACES ON THE PLANET I'D RATHER BE. |
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| NO MAN LEFT BEHIND. WE HAVE MADE IT OUT OF THE WILD |
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| TRAFFIC ISN'T SO BAD WHEN YOU ARE FRONT AND CENTER WITH MOUNT RAINIER |
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| 1 BEAUTY AND 6 BEASTS IN THE KITCHEN MAKING BREAKFAST |
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| ABOUT TO HIKE HORSETAIL FALLS IN HOOD RIVER, OREGON WITH MY MAN JOE KULA AND 50 OTHERS! |
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| MODIFIED PROM POSE WITH ADAM. CHARLIE, WHERE'S OUR PICTURE?? |
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| SITE OF THE WEDDING - BEAUTIFUL OREGON AND MOUNT HOOD! |
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| THE NIGHT BEFORE THE BIG DAY! THE ONE AND ONLY JOE KULA LADIES AND GENTS! |
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| WHEN THE GROOM IS A COLLEGIATE TENNIS LEGEND, WEDDING PICTURES HAVE TENNIS RACQUETS IN THEM! |
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| THE ONLY THING PRETTIER THAN THAT MOUNTAIN IS THE BRIDE. KATIE KULA! |
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| DINNER TABLE AT THE WEDDING. DIRECTLY OVER THE CENTERPIECE IS MOUNT HOOD! |
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| FINAL COUNTDOWN! THINGS ARE ABOUT TO GET REAL! |
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| MR. AND MRS. KULA AND A SOLID PHOTOBOMB BY MIKE!! |
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| MOUNTAIN TOP WEDDING OVERLOOKING MOUNT HOOD |
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| FIRST DANCE! |
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| I'D LIKE TO THINK I WAS IN THE RUNNING FOR WILDEST THING ON THE DANCE FLOOR UNTIL THIS THING SHOWED UP! |
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| AS THE MOON CAME OUT, I LOST CLOTHES... I KNOW YOU ALL FIND THIS HARD TO BELIEVE |
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| SPRING HILL COLLEGE REUNION. SOME OF THE FINEST INDIVIDUALS I HAVE EVER MET. |
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| AFTER THE PARTY IT'S THE AFTER PARTY! |
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| SPRING HILL COLLEGE CREW! 6 BARBARIANS AND THE MVP FOR PUTTING UP WITH ALL OF US, MS. ALI! |
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| TAKING IN A 2-1 VICTORY AT THE SEATTLE SOUNDERS GAME (SOCCER) WITH COOPER, ADAM, AND DR. JONES! |
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| TEAM TITANIC! WHITEWATER RAFTING BOAT MATES!! |
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| THIS HAPPENED |
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| AS DID THIS |
