Wedding takes precedence over sports

I'm getting married in six days.

That's right. Columbia County's most eligible 23-year old left-handed sports writer will soon be a married man.

On July 8 in Nashville, Tenn., I will wed Shelley Gilmore, my college sweetheart and best friend of three years. She's the love of my life, and I'm thrilled at the thought of sharing our lives together.

She's a diehard Miami Dolphins fan, Trevecca Nazarene University homecoming queen, liver cancer survivor, former high school soccer team captain and a two-time intramural dodgeball champion. She is also probably extremely angry that I've written this much about her.

Welcome to Columbia County, sweetie.

That being said, for the next two weeks I'd like to request a freeze on all Columbia County sports.

That's right. For 14 days, no one is allowed to touch a ball, pick up a bat or wear a glove. No helmets, no nets and certainly no breaking sports news.

If you are a top high school athlete out there and were thinking, "You know, the week of July 10-14 would be a fantastic time for me to announce that I'm turning professional and will sign a multimillion dollar contract with Nike," stop! Wait a couple of weeks. Save my marriage.

Actually, sports will never fully stop in this county.

Even in the "lean" months of summer there are swim meets, FireBall soccer games, college signings, miniature golf tournaments, sports camps and plenty of other activities keeping our local athletes (and sports writer) occupied.

But not right now. For the next two weeks I'll be as clueless about Columbia County sports as I am about wedding decor. I'll be in a distant land, possibly by a beach or a mountain, but nowhere close to a cell phone tower or computer with e-mail capabilities.

So enjoy the summer, Columbia County. I'll be back in plenty of time for a big football preview in August.

Until then, have a wonderful Independence Day. I will. It'll be my last.