The Love Story

They met on February 25, 2006 at an AIDS benefit art auction. Rich saw John as soon as he arrived and proceeded to follow him around the room. He even got John to touch his monkey shirt and eeped at him. Unimpressed, John didn't call Rich that week.

The following weekend, they met again at another fundraiser. This time they connected and talked until the hosts kicked everyone out.



John asked Rich out on their first date that week and they went to the Draught House. It was love at first sight for Rich, and maybe 2nd or 3rd sight for John, but who's counting? They've pretty much been inseparable ever since.


On March 25, 2006 John joined Rich on his seasonal trip to London. It was their first trip together and also John's birthday.

On June 25, 2006, John took Rich to Tokyo for his birthday.

On November 25, 2006, Rich got on his knee and proposed to John in front of their friends during 2nd Thanksgiving. John said yes.

On November 24-25, 2007, Rich and John will get married as the clock strikes midnight.

Where to Book a Room

I guess we didn't make ourselves clear when we said spend the night with us and get a room. Rather than driving all the way back to wherever after midnight, stay for the continued festivities, sleep on-site (and we don't mean on the floor!), and have brunch with us the next day.

On the right-hand side of this website is information for booking a room at Festival Hill. If you'd like a roommate, please let me know and I'll play match-maker.

Gifts and Stuff

Although we may act like it at times, we're not young kids just starting life who live in an empty house and need a bunch of stuff like coffee makers and dinnerware. We're good in that department. Rather than giving to us, please consider helping us support these organizations. If you write a check, please put MacKinnon-Rebok in the memo. We'd be happy to deliver the check for you. Thank you!

Waterloo Counseling Center (no, this is not a couples counseling lay-away plan! John is on the board)

James Dick Foundation (this is the organization that's making their home available to us for the wedding. It's a world-class music school for gifted young musicians and hosts a full schedule of many interesting cultural events)

What to Wear?

Because of the success of such invitations in the past, we'd love to say, "Come costumed or come naked!" but we should warn you that parents will be present. Of course, they're our parents who've learned to be prepared for anything, and this is, after all, a gay wedding in Texas, so who's to say what's appropriate?! That said, we expect most of you will opt for clothing, in which case, may we suggest that you wear something that suits YOU--casual, fabulous, stylish, twilight chic, preppie, sexy, or domineering.

You might want to bring more than one change of wardrobe, since your Midnight Vampira Mating Cowl might wilt in the late morning light of brunch.

Travelling from Afar?

We've very honored by the many guests who will be traveling long distances to join us. If you plan to fly into Austin and spend time with us either before or after the wedding, please let us know. We are planning on celebrating Thanksgiving Day with supper on Thursday (11/22) at 7pm. We suspect we'll be packed to the gills, but it will be great fun. We have more beds than most, but we hope you won't mind crashing on sofas and floors (sleeping bags) if necessary. Maybe you'll get to know some people even better than before! If you prefer staying a nearby Austin hotel, please let us know so we can help you select a good one.

Austin address: 4201 Speedway, Austin TX 78751. 512-469-9553

On Saturday (11/24), the Austin entourage will caravan to Round Top,Texas. At Festival Hill, you will check into your own room and get to sleep in a bed all to yourself, if you choose. Don't forget to reserve your room in advance!

The Tradition

The wedding is this year's 2nd Thanksgiving. Typically, people are unable to spend Thanksgiving with friends as they must spend it with family. 2nd Thanksgiving is an annual holiday created by friends to have a second chance at spending Thanksgiving with their chosen families. John and Rich are thankful to have such wonderful and interesting friends in their lives.

The tradition has been for guests to offer performances as their way of saying thanks to one another for the friendship we share. Over the years, we've witnessed singing at the piano, hula dancing, poetry slam, collaborative drawing, script reading, headstands, violins, saxophones, and guitars, a demonstration on how to properly wire a ground-fault circuit interrupter, and more!

Performances are optional and last about 5-20 minutes or so.

This year, we encourage guests to consider "mating rituals" or "nuptials" as a theme for their performances. John and Rich are available as props as need be.