After nearly a year of planning her middle son’s rehearsal dinner, Trisha Johnston felt like everything was under control.

Until Saturday.

Youngest son Tate Johnston is the starting shortstop for the St. Paul’s baseball team, which clinched a spot in this week’s Class 5A state finals with a doubleheader sweep of Elberta over the weekend.

“Two once-in-a-lifetime events,” Trisha Johnston said.

The only problem?

The two events – at least parts of them — are taking place on the same day in two different towns in Alabama.

“It’s insane this is happening the way it is, but with our family who would expect anything different?” she said. “It just seems weirdly right.”

The Johnston family has been well known in statewide high school athletics for a decade. Oldest son Tyler III was the state’s Mr. Football in 2015 after leading Spanish Fort to the Class 6A state title. Middle son Thomas, a standout linebacker for the Toros, is the state’s all-time leading tackler. He was the 6A lineman of the year in 2016.

On Saturday night, Thomas – now an assistant football coach at Prattville High School — will marry Parish Adams in Troy.

“She’s awesome,” Tyler said. “I definitely think she’s the right girl for Thomas, and Thomas is the right man for her. It should be a great weekend.”

When Thomas and Tyler were helping Spanish Fort win three state football titles in four years, Tate — 10 years younger — was watching from the sidelines and playing on youth fields around Baldwin County.

Now, it’s Tyler and Thomas who are cheering on their brother.

“The last three weekends, I’ve been at every game,” Thomas said. “Tate is more of a natural athlete than Tyler and I ever were. His goal was to make a state championship and get a ring or two. I’m happy he’s finally getting that chance.”

Tate, a junior who leads off for St. Paul’s, is committed to play baseball at Auburn. He’s also receiving considerable interest as a multi-talented athlete for Ham Barnett’s football team.

“It’s the best feeling watching him,” Tyler said. “Having a brother who is 10 years younger … hopefully, we made him tougher than when we were younger. Honestly, I just tell him to go be better than both Thomas and I. He’s just out there having fun and loving the game. I’m a proud big brother. I’m also proud for Thomas and Parish. I’m excited to get a sister. This week … it’s a lot to take in.”

Trisha said she has allowed herself to relax a little more watching Tate play sports than she did a decade ago with her older sons. But “relax” might not be in her vocabulary this week.

No. 4 St. Paul’s opens play in the 5A state finals against No. 2 American Christian at 11 a.m. Thursday at Oxford’s Choccolocco Park.

Not too many conflicts there.

However, the series shifts to Jacksonville State on Friday for Game 2 at 10 a.m. Game 3 would follow, if necessary, at approximately 1 p.m.

Uh oh.

The wedding rehearsal for Thomas and Parish is set for 6 p.m. Friday with the dinner at approximately 7. As is customary, of course, the parents of the groom usually handle the rehearsal dinner details. This particular rehearsal dinner has 140 guests.

Jacksonville is approximately 165 miles from Troy. The mileage calculator estimates the trip to take 3 hours, 12 minutes.

“I’m putting full reliance on Jesus,” Trisha said. “He knows these are two significant events for our family, and I’m just going to believe it’s all going to be perfect.”

Two family members are hard locks to be at the entirety of the St. Paul’s series no matter how many games it takes. Tate, obviously, and dad Tyler Jr., who is also Thomas’ best man.

“I’m not missing,” Tyler said. “I just hope we don’t get rain.”

Trisha’s plan, as of now, is to make the baseball series as well and then get to Troy as soon as possible. In the meantime, she will rely on an army of family and friends to make sure everything is in place for the rehearsal dinner. That army includes her sister-in-law, Jenger Campbell, and close family friend Brian Ward.

“They’ve told me that I can’t miss this for Tate, and that they’ve got this (the rehearsal dinner),” Trisha said. “What a blessing.”

Thomas is likely out for attending the baseball series. Not only does he have the rehearsal on Friday, but he also is coaching in Prattville’s spring game Thursday night at 5:30.

“It’s all going to be OK,” Thomas said. “Dad definitely won’t be missing baseball. Anyone who knows him knows that. Mom is so invested in the rehearsal that I don’t see her missing that, but she has a lot of help thankfully, and it will go off without a hitch. I’m not going to be upset at anyone being there for Tate. At the end of the day, I would love to be there myself, and Parish would say the same thing.”

As of Sunday, Tyler III, also one of Thomas’ 15 groomsmen, wasn’t sure what his plans will be. He works in the Gulf Coast area and lives in Mobile.

“I’ll just wing it,” he joked.

The biggest concern, according to the parents, is having a possible weather issue on Friday. How things have changed.

“My biggest concern two weeks ago was getting the wedding party back in time from the rehearsal to be seated for dinner when the sun sets,” Trisha said. “Little did I know, now we’ll be lucky to actually make the dinner.”

As for the father, Tyler Jr. is not concerned at all about any conflicts – or at least that is what he says.

Maybe this time father really does know best.

“This is what life is about,” Trisha said. “Family and friends who come together to support one another. When you have that – you feel so blessed, and we are so thankful.”