Cecil Hurt would probably be peering over his teal glasses if he were in the pews, and I'd like to think he would be smiling.

I’m not sure where he would sit. Probably somewhere toward the back. I’m not certain he would even attend the reception. His presence at the wedding would surely be subtle, if not discreet. That’s how Cecil was. He didn’t draw attention to himself. Others did that for the legendary Tuscaloosa News sports columnist.

No matter the capacity, just knowing he was there would make me happy. Frankly, it doesn’t feel right he won’t be at the church on Saturday for my wedding to the lovely Elizabeth Mize, whom I love like crazy.

I wouldn’t be getting married to her if not for Cecil.

My first day at The Tuscaloosa News was remote in May 2021. I was still in Minnesota and hadn’t moved to Alabama yet. Cecil made sure to talk to me, though. We spoke for about an hour. I don’t remember much of the exact details from the conversation, but I do remember one thing he said.

I’ll make sure you meet everyone you need to know. 

Folks such as Nick Saban, Nate Oats, Greg Byrne and others with Alabama athletics immediately came to mind. That’s probably what Cecil meant, too. Little did he or I know, it also meant my future wife.

Cecil didn’t bring Elizabeth and I together intentionally, but it’s because of him that we’re together.

CECIL HURT: Tuscaloosa lost an institution, The Tuscaloosa News lost an icon and I lost a friend | Deas

A REAL WIZARD: What I learned from Cecil Hurt, a real wizard

In late October 2021, Cecil had to go to the hospital. A few weeks later, he died after complications from pneumonia the week of the Iron Bowl. Auburn honored him that day with a framed photo, a credential and flowers in the press box where he would have sat. Then the next weekend in Atlanta, the SEC honored him at the SEC Championship Game in the press box. For him, the conference had a credential and a book.

As the only Tuscaloosa News representative at either game, I was asked to collect each memorial and bring it back for Cecil’s loved ones. His brother and sister didn’t live nearby, so I figured it would be best to drop those items off with his best friend, Chad.

Chad was the primary person who took care of Cecil during the weeks in the hospital, driving from Birmingham to Tuscaloosa many days and nights to be there for his good friend. The two had been close since their days as students at UA.

My drive back from Atlanta would bring me right through Birmingham, so I offered to deliver the memorials on Dec. 5, 2021. I haven’t forgotten the date for a good reason.

Once I stopped at Chad’s house, I needed to handle a Zoom press conference ahead of the Cotton Bowl. Chad was gracious to allow me to do that from their basement. After I wrapped up my work, I went back upstairs and prepared to leave. Or so I thought.

Carolyn, Chad’s wife, asked if I had a minute to sit down and chat. She seemed quite kind, so I was happy to do so. She, Chad and I talked for several minutes in their living room. Eventually, their daughter Mary Katherine arrived, and the conversation only continued. We talked for a while longer, and then another daughter arrived. Her name? Elizabeth.

Yes, that Elizabeth.

When she walked in the room, I didn’t know whether to sit or stand. Thank goodness there was no video of that moment because I had to have looked awkward. I certainly felt it. To be frank, I was caught off guard. She was radiant. I’m smiling right now thinking about the way she looked that night.

Soon, Elizabeth sat down, and the conversation kept going.

After a while, I started to get ready to leave again. I was enjoying the time, but I certainly didn’t want to wear out my welcome. Then before I could depart, sweet Carolyn invited me to join the Mize family for dinner.

I wasn’t going to say no to that. I was having too much fun. So we went to dinner. It’s that night she and her family learned of my low tolerance for spicy food, but the time was filled with good conversation and good fellowship, something I cherished living a long way from home.

Five or six hours with the Mize family later, I finally left Birmingham. Elizabeth and I have been talking ever since.

Fast-forward 14 months to February 2023, and I didn’t have to know whether to sit or stand upon her arrival. I knew I belonged on one knee. Fast-forward another 14 months after that, and we’re getting married this weekend.

Oh how I wish Cecil could be there. More than anything, I wish his passing didn’t have to be part of our story, but I’m forever grateful to Cecil. Because of him and because of who he was, I had a chance to meet the love of my life. Now Elizabeth and I get to spend a lifetime together.

I didn’t have long to work with Cecil, the Alabama sports writing giant; six months to be exact. I learned plenty, though, including how to work a beat, how to be professional and how to treat people.

Cecil gave me a gift one of the last days I saw him in the hospital. Not a physical gift, but a kind word. I remember the exact phrase because I wrote it down. To this day, I keep those words on a piece of paper in my wallet.

I am proud of you. 

I aim to make him proud every day as a journalist, covering the Alabama beat he cared so much about. But more than that, I hope he will be proud of the way I honor, serve and cherish his best friend’s daughter for the rest of our lives.

I hope it makes him smile.

Nick Kelly is the Alabama beat writer for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network, and he covers Alabama football and men's basketball. Reach him at nkelly@gannett.com or follow him @_NickKelly on X, the social media app formerly known as Twitter.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Thank you, Cecil Hurt. Wish you could be at the wedding | Kelly