In just a few hours, your humble blogfather Ian Oland will marry his lady love Ashley. I and much of the stateside RMNB contingent will be there to help celebrate in person (while Fedor stands guard on the draft), but for now it seems appropriate for use this forum and opportunity to say a few words about Ian and Ashley.

Ian: This is the romantic equivalent of the Scott Hartnell-R.J. Umberger trade. Without sacrificing much value at all, you’re adding a ton of character and personality to your team. The experts watching this transaction are baffled at how you managed to pull it off.

Greenberg manually RT’d the news and added, “Oh.” So that’s how you know it’s a big deal.

Of course, the hard part comes next. In marriage, which I know literally nothing about, you’ve got to play the full sixty– years, not minutes. And possibly even more than that. There could be overtime if your conditioning is good and your training staff is on task. That’s good news, but you’re gonna have to up your compete level (which is currently rated 4/5 by Craig Button).

Because I’ve seen the scouting reports on Ashley. Despite her looks, she plays a gritty, physical game. If you’re being a pest, she won’t hesitate to drop mitts.

And yet, I’m not worried.

Because, in the locker room of life, you’re a character guy. You’re the glue that holds this scrappy, sometimes spoiled group of players together. You’re the single hardest worker I know. You play with heart, and no one can ever accuse you of giving up on a play.

And you’re the most earnest person I’ve ever met– and while that can be exhausting in the running of a website, it’s going to make you an A-1 husband. With a lot of upside.

You and Ashley are an excellent pairing. Your WOWY scores are off the charts, and whatever QualComp you face I’ve got no doubt you’ll crash the net together.

Congratulations and best wishes, Ian and Ashley. I wish you both all the best things in life and love.

IS PARTY NOW.

RMNBers: Please join me in wishing Ian and Ashley a happy wedding day.