The best man at any wedding holds a significant role. His job is to take the pressure off the groom, make sure everyone has a great time, and help the big day run smoothly. A good best man is essential to have an easy and fun day – not to mention being the groom’s best friend.
Justin and Carol were about to get married and were picking out their wedding parties when they had an idea.
Justin Lansford recently popped the question to his girlfriend, Carol Balmes. After the big moment, it’s all a flurry of activity and prep to get ready for the wedding! There are cakes to see, dresses to try on, seating arrangements to organize, and wedding parties to choose.
When Justin sat down to pick his best man, he knew he would be choosing his best friend.
Justin met his best friend, Gabe, in 2012 when he was fresh from Afghanistan. Justin is a veteran and went through the toughest trial of his life while in service. He and Gabe met right when he left the service.
Justin’s friendship with Gabe was defined by the accident that happened overseas.
In an unfortunate series of events, Justin was wounded in combat. While serving, Justin lost his leg when an IED detonated right under him.
“I was a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division and we were in eastern Afghanistan in early 2012. We struck an IED and it flipped my truck completely. I had bilaterally severed femurs which resulted in the amputation of my left leg.” – ABC
When Justin got back to the United States, he was diagnosed with PTSD.
In the midst of his injury and mental health diagnoses, Justin met Gabe. Gabe isn’t just any friend – Gabe is a service dog! When Justin came home, Gabe was given to him to help him recover and go back to civilian life.
Since that moment, the two have been inseparable.
No matter what, Gabe is always by Justin’s side. When he needs help or is in pain, Gabe is immediately there to help provide support in any way Justin needs.
“He helps me with one thing to the next. I can use him as a stable surface to lean on, as I get to and from the ground,” Justin said. “If I fall, he’ll come up running next to me and I can use him to push off of to get up off the ground.”
When Justin and Carol decide to get married, it was clear that Gabe would play a part!
The two had such a special bond that it only made sense Gabe would be in the wedding! As his “best man,” he had quite the list of responsibilities! He trotted down the aisle as the ring bearer and walked down with his best friend!
With everyone watching, Gabe sat with Justin at the front of the ceremony, waiting for Carol to come down.
Justin stood at the front with the firm and reassuring presence of his best friend, Gabe. Life was moving forward, and the “bachelor days” were over, but I don’t think Gabe will mind a little feminine touch around the house! Now he just has someone else to give him love!
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