A Perfect Day

I want you all to take a moment to try and think of the best time of your life. Take as much time as you need. For some of you, this may be a fairly easy exercise; your mind will jump instantly to your wedding night, or to the birth of your child, or to that time you walked in on Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis getting their Black Swan on in your bedroom (what do you mean it was just a movie!?). For the rest of us, however, it isn't so simple trying to single out a "best time". Sure, we can think of times we had fun—be it on a vacation in Mexico or a night out with the boys—but more often than not it's difficult to pin down a single day that really stood out above the rest.

That doesn't mean it won't ever happen, of course. At some point, we'll all experience it; it's inevitable. It could be tomorrow or it could be ten years from now, but the fact remains that each of us will eventually have one of these amazing days, the kind where you can't help but step back and reflect on it even as it's happening. The kind where you're eating lunch in the break room at work the next day smirking like an idiot and nobody has any idea why. I had one of these days myself just last week, and I'm man enough to admit that I've been smirking like an idiot ever since.

The last time I can remember having a day like this, the time that made me realize it was even possible, was at my buddy Mitch's wedding. The entire day was unforgettable, filled with great people, great food, and great times (and of course an endless supply of alcohol from the open bar). I was surrounded by all my best friends and a lot of our families. I got to ride in a party bus drinking champagne and have my picture taken on a bridge and a playground. I got to wear a stupid hat and party-boy the bride. I got to take a shuttle to a hotel and keep the party going for most of the night. It was honestly an incredible day, and it was the first time in my life I can ever remember waking up in the morning and being depressed at how good a time I'd had. I was convinced I'd never be as happy as I'd been in that moment, like I'd seen the top of mountain so to speak and would never be able to get there again. I was wrong.

Did I mention I got to wear a baller tuxedo?

Now for those of you looking for specifics, you can go ahead and stop reading now. The people involved know who they are and exactly what went down, and that's for us to share. As much as I'd like to shout it out to the world, to explain in intimate detail exactly how amazing this day was, there's just something special about it being ours alone. So, for the rest of your, I offer a consolation of sorts. I offer you the fragmented mural of my perfect day. Like that awesome dream you can never seem to fully remember, it contains pertinent moments and memories from throughout the day, and you're free to use your imagination to piece them together any way you'd like.

In fact, here's a fun thought: I'll offer $10 to anyone who thinks they can accurately construct my day from the following pictures and snippets, and another $10 to whoever comes up with the most creative story. Post your guesses in the comments below or send them to me on twitter (@NateCalvanese). I wish you all your own perfect day in the near future. Let the games begin!
-Nate

Fragmented mural of my perfect day (in no particular order).