“The Perfect Couple” is the current Netflix rage — an adaptation of Elin Hilderbrand’s best-selling novel set on Nantucket Island off of Massachusetts. Of course, the setting is perfect, but the couple in that murder mystery are quite imperfect. I know Nantucket well — I met my wife, Janet Ryan of Hinsdale, there in 1974 while we worked together at the Tavern, a watering hole that still thrives today. It’s next to the Straight Wharf Restaurant, which was the laundromat during our youth. Janet and I often return to Nantucket because it’s magical for us. In fact, we recently went back to Nantucket for the wedding of what I truly consider the perfect couple.
Pat and Larry exchanged their solemn vows on a Saturday at 4 p.m. under cloudy skies in the presence of all of us, appropriately in Massachusetts, the first state in this great country to legalize same-sex marriage. Then we dined under an enormous tent and danced to Motown (my favorite) and so much other great music in a grand celebration of their marriage. The night before, at the rehearsal dinner, we all celebrated Pat and Larry at the Straight Wharf Restaurant — as Pat noted during his welcome speech, a place that was a little less straight that evening. We laughed heartily at that one.
Pat is a son of good friends. He has an eye-catching smile and an equally broad heart and is a person of great substance and accomplishment. His parents and brothers are rightly proud of Pat — and so are all of us who have come to know him. It does not take long at all. Larry, too, has a broad smile, even if his mustache might be more attempt than achievement. Pat also gave us a laugh, during the wedding ceremony, noting that Larry’s mustache is not what attracted him to Larry. What likely did is that Larry has a deserved reputation as the consummate host and chef, pleasing everyone with the right combinations of food and wine and his presence. He is also known for being there for you when you need him. A similar man of substance. I must get to know Larry better so he can teach me more of the finer points of living well and being a more gracious person.
All you need to do is be in the presence of Pat and Larry to know why they are the perfect couple. They complement each other in taste, interests and laughter — and in the way they look at each other. How they found each other, I do not know, but the important fact is they did. They are in love — it is patent and palpable. And they want to raise children. Good for them. There are so many children who deserve parents who will love them, teach them and give them the foundation to succeed in life. Pat and Larry will be those parents and more.
I have lived long enough to know perfection is not attainable. Well, maybe a high school football team did it in Virginia in the early 1970s as Denzel Washington showed us in “Remember the Titans,” one of my favorite movies. That was my New York suburban high school football team in many ways, which I captained — well, except for the perfect record.
For a couple to achieve perfection is Sisyphean. But there are those who come close to the summit of perfection. Pat and Larry may get that boulder to the summit. They have the mythical-like strength and commitment of character to do it. All attending the nuptials and celebration could see it. It gave us the hope of perfection.
Janet and I were proud to be in attendance, clapping and cheering during that glorious September weekend, when Pat and Larry united on Nantucket to become, in our eyes, the perfect couple.
Gary Grasso is the mayor of Burr Ridge. He and his wife, Janet, have been married for 46 years, have raised six children and have seven grandchildren — so far.
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