The one that takes the cake, however, goes all the way back to 2004. I organized a trip to Spain for twenty-five friends (including a couple, Kristie and Lee, who GOT MARRIED while we were over there*).

Since we had 18 adults who knew each other mainly through Paul and me, we decided to kick off the first night’s dinner with a little game of ‘3 Adjectives’.  Mathew, who is tall and English, wrote, “tall, English, slightly balding” on his card. When the time came for me to read it aloud, I doubled over with laughter and couldn’t get the words out. It was so perfectly snarky (and quintessentially Mathew). It took me minutes to recover and when I finally choked out the words, everyone laughed. The ice was definitely, and very memorably, broken. For the remainder of the trip, I kept having the giggles over Mathew’s boldly stating the obvious.
 
*The wedding was organized in less than 24 hours by Kristie, Larisa, Francesca and me. We picked a venue (outside a monastery, literally on the side of a cliff!), purchased flowers and made bouquets, found 3 cakes at the local bakery and got enough food to feed all 25 of us. The 7 kids made up the bridal party and the adults (save Larisa, who officiated) were witnesses. Mathew (Francesca’s husband) photographed the ceremony and reception. It was truly one of the most charming weddings I’ve ever attended.
 
P.S. The ones below are a few personal favorites – can you guess which are male and which are female? A prize to the first person to correctly guess all six!