We went to try on kilts in the morning.
Little did I know, Jill and Judy were conspiring to play a trick on me.
Jill told Judy the story about "the toilet paper measuring" trick they had played on me a year before. So of course, Judy called ahead to the kilt shop and got the woman working to size me up in ill-fitting kilts.
Problems was (for me at least), I didnt know the first thing about how a proper kilt should fit. So when I'm displaying a kilt that sits just about my ankles and everyone is in stitches laughing at me, I couldn't figure out why. I thought I tucked the kilt into my underwear or something embarrassing like that. Paranoia set in.
What were they all laughing about?
I later discovered the plot.
Well played.
Them - 1 ; Me - 0
The over dinner, it came up that it is proper/traditional to shave your lower thigh to shin so the skin showing between your kilt and your sock is hairless. They all joined in very nonchalantly about this "tradition".
So being a good sport and attempting to respect the Scottish tradition, I settled my mind to accept the idea.
Before bed, I shaved my face and constantly looked down at my legs.
I wondered: "Should I do this?"
"What will it look like when I wear shorts next week?"
"Why is this a tradition?"
"If I dont do it, will people even notice?"
I resigned from the rational thought and began lathering my knees with shaving cream.
As I ran the razor across my right knee, I could hear everyone enter the bedroom.
Some slight chuckling could be heard through the door and then Dale telling me it was a joke and not to go through with it.
I opened the door to see everyone balling with laughter.
They got me again.
Them - 2; Me - 0
Now to the wedding day.
Overnight, the stories traveled and spread like wild fire.
I had become a type of urban legend. "The gullible American" or as everyone else at the wedding knew me as "The Toilet Paper Guy".
It was relatively embarrassing but my defense was "at least I was respecting (supposed) traditions"!!!
The wedding was incredible. Best I have ever seen.
Starting to a 4 piece string band, the ceremony was beautiful.
Then a bagpipe led group photo on the steps of the massive Hopetoun House.
Dinner was course after course of delicious food.
Then the first surprise: an impromptu singing host, waitress, and cook performed a sort of flash mob which ended with everyone in the room standing on their chairs singing and holding hands.
Dinner ended and the dance floor prepared. A song was performed by David (the groom's brother) for the newly weds first dance. Goosebumps.
We danced the Gay Gordon and headed back outside for surprise #2.
A full Scottish marching band played on the lawn to the crowd of people. Incredible stuff.
We went back in and danced before coming back outside to watch a massive fireworks display and the couple drive off in a vintage Porsche.
The day ended in grand fashion just as the rest of the day played out.
It was a truly magical and authentic Scottish day.
Even though everyone was secretly laughing at me all day, I had the greatest time and gladly accepted becoming "The Legend of The Toilet Paper Guy".
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