Butterflies and Batteries

I have a large piece of live-edge cherry that I want to make into a coffee table. It has been cut and stored for more than 10 years. There are a few cracks opening up on the end, and I was going to use a bow tie/butterfly joint. I am going to ask an Amish friend to run it through his thickness sander because of the hills and valleys from where it was cut on a portable sawmill. It is about 21/2" thick, and it might need an eighth