Dear Friends,
Saturday night August 8th, 2009 was quite possibly the greatest night of my life. There was several times that I almost got emotional; the night was that big to me.
Now that I've caught up on sleep and even though I'm still on a euphoric high from the event, I'm taking this chance to reflect on the evening that I will remember forever. I know I will probably get made fun of for some of these things I'm going to say and my sexuallity may be put into question, but what i say is truly genuine.
Steve & I had been planning the Madness Reunion for the last few months but we had been talking about it with everyone for what seems like forever. Conversations steming from telling an old story, remembering an old bit from the Madness radio show, or one of us saying "Hey, I heard from so-and-so". Then the idea came about potentially getting all these people together in the same room again. We didn't want to just have a party at someone's house, we wanted it to be an event. With dancing, a DJ, a bartender, and be able to re-live and recreate great Madness moments.
It was great seeing everyone, but there are certain people who I need to say a few things to.
First of all Dave "Videodude" Antoine. Dave did more work in less time than any of you can possibly imagine. He put together the intro video himself and nearly every idea in it was his. He filmed it brilliantly and deserves more recognition than I can give him right now. Dave, thank you for all your hard work and I hope by the end of the month, you get caught up on sleep!
Vicki Hufford. You flew 3000 miles to come to the Madness Reunion!!! What else is there to say? You are beyond awesome and thank you for coming. Plus the fact that you punched Rhianna back in the day is still the best thing ever!!!
Next is Carol Roy. As many of you know Carol & I were together for about 3 years in college and needless to say, have had some "issues" with each other since we broke up (mostly from my opinion about exes not being able to be friends). Knowing that she would be there with her boyfriend and me with Katy, I wondered what it would be like seeing her after all this time. In all honesty Carol, it was great hanging with you and Jeremy and would love to do it again some time soon. I'm glad we can be friends after all this time. You guys are awesome!
Brother Love. He found DJ Eliot Ness who kept the party rocking. Dan, you really came through in the clutch this time!!
For fucks sake, even PHIL LAFFEY WAS THERE!!!! How amazing is that?!?!
Jarrad Mack. He blew off a killer bachelor party to come to this night. My only hope was that at some point you still got some tits in your face :)
Lauren Gelin Coffin. She had a baby 3 weeks ago and STILL came to the reunion! That just rules!
Jeff Hickman. We all know what has gone on in Jeff's personal life with his son. Jeff, I'm glad that you came and had a great time with your friends. It would not have been a Madness Reunion without you. All of our prayers are with you and your family, but we are all glad that you came and enjoyed yourself for one night. This is just a way to prove that no matter what, your friends are always here for you. Plus the look on your face when you saw Dr. Torrey was one of my favorite moments of the night. (Hopefully that doesn't make me gay in anyone's eyes)
Mike Balzotti. He flew out from Wisconsin because there was no way in hell he would miss this! But Balzotti, my dog is very upset you are gone! When I got home, he went searching through my house to try and find you. So, I gave him your Moxie...then he died...jk
Tracy Garrett. Even though I'm pumped Matt came, his wife deserves recognition because she made all the food for the night. Thank you so much Tracy!
Lastly even though he was my "partner in crime" for the reunion, I need to recognize Steve Nowell. Steve's enthusiasm for all things Madness is what always motivated me to keep focused and make this thing happen. Despite the obsticles that were thrown at us, there was no stopping him at any point. Steve's love for The Madness and making this reunion happen never waivered. Knowing that it was around his 30th birthday, my biggest hope was that the Reunion was everything he wanted it to be. I feel that it was.
There was a time in your life when your friends are your whole world. Before you meet your spouse. Before marriage. Before your children are even a thought in your head. Before our lives get crazy with work, family, bills, and just plain ol' LIFE. At one point, there were your friends and nothing else. The friends you would live and die for. There was a time when your friends were all you had. It takes nights like the Madness Reunion to remind us all that no matter what path in life you choose, your friends should always be there with you. I hope that the next get-togther of this magnitude is not in another 7 or 8 years but much sooner.
In closing, I love you all and it was so great to see everyone.
Thank you all for coming.
-MB
Saturday night August 8th, 2009 was quite possibly the greatest night of my life. There was several times that I almost got emotional; the night was that big to me.
Now that I've caught up on sleep and even though I'm still on a euphoric high from the event, I'm taking this chance to reflect on the evening that I will remember forever. I know I will probably get made fun of for some of these things I'm going to say and my sexuallity may be put into question, but what i say is truly genuine.
Steve & I had been planning the Madness Reunion for the last few months but we had been talking about it with everyone for what seems like forever. Conversations steming from telling an old story, remembering an old bit from the Madness radio show, or one of us saying "Hey, I heard from so-and-so". Then the idea came about potentially getting all these people together in the same room again. We didn't want to just have a party at someone's house, we wanted it to be an event. With dancing, a DJ, a bartender, and be able to re-live and recreate great Madness moments.
It was great seeing everyone, but there are certain people who I need to say a few things to.
First of all Dave "Videodude" Antoine. Dave did more work in less time than any of you can possibly imagine. He put together the intro video himself and nearly every idea in it was his. He filmed it brilliantly and deserves more recognition than I can give him right now. Dave, thank you for all your hard work and I hope by the end of the month, you get caught up on sleep!
Vicki Hufford. You flew 3000 miles to come to the Madness Reunion!!! What else is there to say? You are beyond awesome and thank you for coming. Plus the fact that you punched Rhianna back in the day is still the best thing ever!!!
Next is Carol Roy. As many of you know Carol & I were together for about 3 years in college and needless to say, have had some "issues" with each other since we broke up (mostly from my opinion about exes not being able to be friends). Knowing that she would be there with her boyfriend and me with Katy, I wondered what it would be like seeing her after all this time. In all honesty Carol, it was great hanging with you and Jeremy and would love to do it again some time soon. I'm glad we can be friends after all this time. You guys are awesome!
Brother Love. He found DJ Eliot Ness who kept the party rocking. Dan, you really came through in the clutch this time!!
For fucks sake, even PHIL LAFFEY WAS THERE!!!! How amazing is that?!?!
Jarrad Mack. He blew off a killer bachelor party to come to this night. My only hope was that at some point you still got some tits in your face :)
Lauren Gelin Coffin. She had a baby 3 weeks ago and STILL came to the reunion! That just rules!
Jeff Hickman. We all know what has gone on in Jeff's personal life with his son. Jeff, I'm glad that you came and had a great time with your friends. It would not have been a Madness Reunion without you. All of our prayers are with you and your family, but we are all glad that you came and enjoyed yourself for one night. This is just a way to prove that no matter what, your friends are always here for you. Plus the look on your face when you saw Dr. Torrey was one of my favorite moments of the night. (Hopefully that doesn't make me gay in anyone's eyes)
Mike Balzotti. He flew out from Wisconsin because there was no way in hell he would miss this! But Balzotti, my dog is very upset you are gone! When I got home, he went searching through my house to try and find you. So, I gave him your Moxie...then he died...jk
Tracy Garrett. Even though I'm pumped Matt came, his wife deserves recognition because she made all the food for the night. Thank you so much Tracy!
Lastly even though he was my "partner in crime" for the reunion, I need to recognize Steve Nowell. Steve's enthusiasm for all things Madness is what always motivated me to keep focused and make this thing happen. Despite the obsticles that were thrown at us, there was no stopping him at any point. Steve's love for The Madness and making this reunion happen never waivered. Knowing that it was around his 30th birthday, my biggest hope was that the Reunion was everything he wanted it to be. I feel that it was.
There was a time in your life when your friends are your whole world. Before you meet your spouse. Before marriage. Before your children are even a thought in your head. Before our lives get crazy with work, family, bills, and just plain ol' LIFE. At one point, there were your friends and nothing else. The friends you would live and die for. There was a time when your friends were all you had. It takes nights like the Madness Reunion to remind us all that no matter what path in life you choose, your friends should always be there with you. I hope that the next get-togther of this magnitude is not in another 7 or 8 years but much sooner.
In closing, I love you all and it was so great to see everyone.
Thank you all for coming.
-MB
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