Joss and I had a good time this weekend attending my old friend’s wedding on Saturday and catching a bite to eat over a football game Sunday night.

Abbi Williams, the girl who my brother considers was my first girlfriend, was married at the Montclair Country Club to some guy named Trevor. He seemed like a nice enough guy even though we didn’t speak at all.

The food was good and the dancing was nice. I pulled Joss onto the dance floor when Elivs’ “Can’t help falling in love…” came on. I think that is a classic song.

I didn’t speak to my parents much, who sat at the table across the room from Joss, Aaron, Ashley and baby Daniel. I haven’t spoken with my father since he told me to get out of his house on Christmas.

I heard he cheered when Ashley caught the bouquet, though.

Watching Mark and Shelia dance was a misty-eyed moment. Knowing that she is fighting what could be terminal cancer, and was brave enough to dawn a doo-rag and dance at her daughter’s wedding was enough to jerk at anyone’s heart strings.

Mark was proud to give his daughter away. When I walked into the country club I didn’t even recognize him, his hair now so short and gray.

Sunday night Joss and I went out to Hard Times for dinner, something we haven’t done in many months.

The Vikings were playing the Eagles in the playoffs and I was rooting hard against them. They won, so I ordered a hot dog.

Fred came up and bought us a pitcher of beer and we sat and chatted while the table behind us smoked cigars.

He made it clear he wanted to move out of his house and in with us, providing she and I move in together soon. Joss pointed out that Fred seemed bummed about his roommate situation, and noted it was unusual to see Fred complain.

He likes his new job, after being fired from Media General back in Nov. The man is resilient when it comes to finding work. I guess a good personality will do that for you.

Tomorrow is the real beginning of the New Year. Now there are no holidays coming up, no half days and no closing the office early. Everything will go back to normal.

But seeing that I worked over 10 hours on Friday and filed at least three stories this weekend during “my days off,” everything already seems back to normal.