Bristol Palin's Boyfriend Says Couple Expects Boy in December

Barber doesn't think anyone pressured Johnston into marriage.

"If he thought it wasn't the right thing to do he probably wouldn't do it," he said.

Johnston is an avid hunter. He's dark haired, tall and muscular, sports a bit of stubble and drives a red Chevy Silverado truck. He'd be the perfect cover for Field & Stream.

He's bagged bears, sheep, elk, and caribou. Some of the antlers are scattered about his yard. Last July on a caribou hunt he lost a "promise" ring that Palin had given him. He said he decided to tattoo her name on the finger and not bother with more rings because he'd just lose them anyway.

Johnston said he wasn't forced to campaign with Palin's mother. Bristol Palin invited him and Johnston jumped at the chance. It was a whirlwind experience for Johnston, who was seated with the Palins at the Republican National Convention.

"At first, I was nervous," he said. "Then I was like, 'Whatever.'"

While Barber said his friend is a celebrity now, Johnston said it hasn't changed him.

"I'm still the same old boy," said Johnston. "I'm just a workin' man."

And now he's also about to become a family man.

"We're up for it. I'm excited to have my first kid. It's going to be a lot of hard work but we can handle it."

Wasilla hockey coach Bill Sturdevant, who was invited to the wedding, said he was sorry to hear Johnston wasn't going to return for his senior year of high school. But he said he believes Johnston, a talented hockey player, will find his way.

"He's a tough kid," Sturdevant said. "He's taking everything in stride."

What about Johnston's politics?

The young man said he wasn't an expert on politics by any stretch. Asked about Barack Obama, he replied: "I don't know anything about him. He seems like a good guy. I like him."

But Johnston still rooting for John McCain and Sarah Palin.

"I just hope she wins," he said. "She's my future mother-in-law. She better win."