The 2nd, 5th, and 10th time I met Scott Groves was in Belize at a wedding and it was fun.  The first thing out of his mouth was the fact that he proudly brewed coffee every morning just to smell it and then he poured it down the drain.  This, to a Starbucks freak, could be really scary.  But I knew I was going to be fine.  In fact, I hung out with him for a long time in our first encounter.  Of course, we were stuck on a beach not unlike Gilligan's old address.  Most of the people you meet at a wedding serve up great promise, but usually don't pan out.  There are many couples on our "met at wedding" list that we've not seen since. Scott was different. In the first hour of my introductory conversation with Scott over Belizian Chi Chis, I realized this guy was nothing that he was pre-described as.  Sure, he was a crazy right-winger.  Sure, he liked to knock back a few with friends but I had seen and encountered much worse. He also took to my kids in great fashion and he had a lot of love to go around.  I could tell Scott was very giving.  It was apparent that he was a solid guy with a true passion for enjoying life.  He was a veteran.  I never saw him in a bad mood.  He was refreshing to be around.  He also listened to my crappy stories over those Chi Chis.  Yes, I did notice your eyes clouding over Scott but I pressed on in true Charles fashion. Basically, he hung in there too.  That's a true friend. Later that first year, he came to my aid in little business ways that some of my tenured friends would have declined.  There are a lot of opposing views in our relationship and that's why it works.  It's much the same as why my marriage is so enjoyable.  When I met my wife, we probably didn't agree on much, but we had the mutual admiration society membership going day 1. I have a man-crush on Scott. And that's OK. After my wife and I did a few double-dates with Scott and his girlfriends (one with braces and a face like a 15 year old) (was she 15?), I could tell he just wasn't into these gals. He started to bring a girl he had known and dated previously, Yasmin, into the conversation more and more.  As we sat on his porch amongst his poker buddies smoking cigars, he would tell us how she kicked him out of her life and how it had been the right thing.  Scott's no dummy.  Like most men, including me, he knows when he's licked and he knows that to gain the respect of the important people in his life, he has to earn that right.  It seemed to me that as Yasmin was more in the daily conversation, that he had found solutions to making it work. A little later, Scott announced that he was headed to Boston to get Yasmin and move her back to LA.  Scott is/was the ultimate bachelor.  His pad in the hood wasn't so geared for a lady, but he was determined to have her move in.  We all kind of held our breath and winked to each other a lot. Yasmin arrived and in that moment I knew that he'd be alright.  I remember thinking that she was exactly what he needed and it was not much different than what I realized when I met my own true love.  Guys like Scott and I need a practical side to our shenanigans.  Yasmin and Kristin are solid, no-nonsense, contenders.  With them at our side we can clown around on the front of the float and then, as we pass in the parade, you see the beauties that make us whole. Later, as I got to know Yasmin more, I also decided that he completed her.  He is the perfect foil for her smart-girl demeanor.  After all, every girl wants to have a party girl side to her no matter how many college degrees she might have [and she has many].  She's the calm, steady thought.  She's one of those people you simply never worry about.  And she's beautiful. As this toast continues I can't forget to tell you why I laugh most at Scott.  His listening skills absolutely suck.  We can discuss a particular item in detail....like... "ok you are going to buy a 12 pack of cold Stella in bottles" and he'll show up to the party with a six of hot PBR and say "It doesn't matter!". But it does Scott.  It really really matters. He will say he hates "Hiroshima Sushi on Colorado" and not an hour later do I see a tweet that says "Hiroshima Sushi service is awesome" "Gottdamm" I say! Or I will tell him I ran four marathons and I will see  a Facebook update the next day that says "...wish I had some running partners to hang with" "Yikes!" Recently Scott has actually joined me in the running game and it's been awesome to have someone aboard the lonely existence which is running.  We enjoy a lot of conversation and I try to avoid the big brother routine as much as possible.  After all, Scott is the ultimate little brother and I think I have a lot of advice in the reserve.  It's fine.  I'll keep it for later.  And I'll buy him his first hearing aid. After all, Scott will be around with a great family in tow for many years to come. I can't wait. We wish both of you all the happiness and success that you deserve. Thanks for being a great friend. That's my toast.  Raise your glass everyone.