"Southern Union of Souls"
by Andy Bowyer
October 5, 2002 marked the
wedding day for Ricky Carmichael and Ursula Holly. The wedding
took place at a historic 180-year-old plantation which lay just a
few miles out of Ricky's hometown of Tallahassee, Florida. The
plantation itself was a beautiful sight to behold with several
enormous oak trees adorning the facility. It was almost like a
scene from the past, complete with horsedrawn carriages and other
old fashioned items of the kind. With approximately 300 friends
and family scheduled to arrive, the wedding was sure to be a
mammoth occasion. I attended the wedding with my family and we
got to experience one of the most heart warming and spiritually
uplifting weddings of all-time.The attendance was made up of close friends and family along with a large contingent of industry personnel. All of Ricky's sponsors, including most of Team Honda, had arrived in good spirits to support their friend Ricky as he prepared for the biggest day of his life. The ceremony was set to take place at 2:00pm at the clock tower which had a long pathway leading to it and it provided an ideal setting for the 300 white chairs which had been set up for the guests. I tried to imagine how nervous my buddy Ricky must have been, although I got to visit with him and his groomsmen in the waiting quarters and he seemed to be his same upbeat self. We all sat around and enjoyed some good old-fashioned bench racing. Ricky and his best men left the quarters to gather for pictures because at the conclusion of the pronouncement the reception was immediately to begin.
As the clock struck 2:00pm people began to be escorted to their seats. It was a sultry southern day with the bright mid-afternoon sun beaming on the crowd. Soon the music began to play and the bridesmaids and groomsmen walked down the isle into position. Then the beautiful bride began to make her entrance. She had been escorted into the clock tower pavilion in an elegant horsedrawn carriage and she looked absolutely angelic as she took her last steps as a single woman.
Chaplain Hudson began the wedding with some well-received humor, commenting on the humid conditions. It was a refreshing break to the tension of the high profile wedding and he succeeded in bringing a warm wave of laughter from the guests. The chaplain went on to talk a little about the bride and groom and his whole-hearted expectations of the unbreakable union of souls he was about to bring together. I myself have grown a little skeptical of marriages, having read about and experienced, second hand, so many that have not ran their intended course. However, as I watched Ricky and Ursula look into each other's eyes and read their wedding vows to one another, an immense sense of purity and warmth overcame my heart. Ricky, the most feared and intimidating human to ever ride a motorcycle, was fighting hard to hold back tears of love as he read his vows to his bride. As the bride and groom exchanged their rings, the Chaplain finally introduced the two as Mr. and Mrs. Ricky Carmichael.
Then, the reception was on!
I have known Ricky since I was 12 years old and we used to ride and train together when we were amateurs. I haven't been able to spend very much time with him over the past five years with me living in California and he living the life of a professional motocross icon, but I have spent a little time with him at some of his races. In all of the time I have spent with him, he has wore an almost militant demeanor of training and work ethic. The kid is always very serious and he is one of the few superstars that don't have a party guy reputation. I won't mention ANY specifics here, but let me tell you that the champ made no bones about letting it all hang out at the reception! It was really good to see him cut loose and party down with all of his friends without a care in the world.
The reception was an immaculate buffet of dining, dancing, and several cocktails later...stage diving! I have had the chance to experience some big parties and good times, but this one was definitely on the "all-time" podium! It was the most glamorous and most fun wedding I have ever attended. I came away from the wedding with a lot of love in my heart (some of that is due by and large to an amazing person I met at the reception) and a new perspective on the concept of marriage.
With so many negative things going on in the world today it was a breath of fresh air to see two wonderful families come together for something truly pure and wholesome. Sure, the world is a strange place, filled with far too many jaded souls. But October 5th made me realize that life has the potential to reward those without sin much greatness.
Here's to you Ricky and Ursula. I give my prayers for you to live long, prosperous, and fulfilling lives together.
Congratulations!
(Editor's Note: Ricky took my family and me to his house for a tour of his home the following day. While my Aunt and Uncle were busy commenting on the elaborate interior décor that Ursula had put together, I found myself wandering the vast open spaces looking at all of the trophies he has accumulated of the past five years. Most notable were the three (consecutive) Daytona Supercross awards, his hand carved wooden trophy from Binghamton, and oh yeah...the two sterling silver Supercross Champion Cups. Yeah, those were fairly impressive too. It's funny to see some of his local friends, who don't have as good of an appreciation for what it takes to earn them as I do, walk right by while I stand there with my jaw dropped in amazement. The first time I stayed with Ricky, he and his parents were in a motorhome. The man has made some progress for himself and his family since then.
The next morning I woke up to see the champ back to his same old self. He was in his bedroom going through an intense stretching regimen, preparing to meet his trainer at the gym. After that, it's a lengthy session on his road bicycle. Then he hits the track for the remainder of the day. The party's already over for the newly wed. The honeymoon in Hawaii is postponed until he finishes up with the impending U.S. Open in Vegas next week.
I hope the competition is ready, because there is a gnarly little man in Tallahassee who is looking for three in a row!