Father of the Bride 7/1/17

Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls, youngsters and young at heart - and to new friends and old: Welcome!  As father of the bride I have the distinct pleasure of making this speech.

I would like to start - on behalf of both families - by giving a warm welcome to all of the relatives and friends who have joined us today. I know that many of you have traveled long distances to be here. Thank you all for coming. And as I look around the room I realize just how many friends Zac and Krysten have. I hope that you all get a chance to mingle, make a new friend or two, and have a wonderful evening.

Today I must admit that I am the proudest dad in the world to have walked Krys down the aisle. I think that you will all agree that she looks stunning. Now, this is where I am supposed to say a few embarrassing things about my daughter. But, as I have always tried to be an honest dad, and told her way too much about my own youthful indiscretions, she obviously has more dirt on me than I on her, so I think it wise to skip that part.

Suffice to say, Brenda and I are both very proud of not only how our girl glows today but how she has always tackled every aspect of her life with glowing enthusiasm, especially as she plows her way through medical school, and how she planned this fantastic night.  I have always said that there was never a sport or scholastic challenge that Krysten did not embrace.  Yet through it all, she has never lost her greatest qualities – her empathy for her fellow man, her thoughtfulness, her kindness toward all creatures great and small, her affection, her generosity, her steadfast loyalty, her smile, and her grace under pressure.  Simply put, honey, you never cease to amaze and delight.

There are two things which we as parents try to give our children; one is roots and the other is wings. Krys, you may have now grown your wings and flown from the nest, but your roots are strong and deep.  For that, we are all most proud and grateful.

And I bet your grandfather, Bert, as well as my parents … well, I bet they are all beaming with pride too right now.  Their spirits are with us this tonight – I can feel it.

Now, Zac, it’s your turn …

I was allowed a front row seat as I watched you grow and develop into a strong and confident young man; the kind of wonder kid who never shirked responsibility.   When times were darkest, you never gave up. We marveled as you recovered, in record time, from a horrible dirt biking accident.  We cheered as you pursued a new major in college and graduated at the top of your class. We hollered with delight as you studied non-stop and challenged those pesky CPA exams, putting them into their place one by one by one by one!

For these things alone, we could all be proud.

But the icing on the cake was how you fell in love with Krysten, and she with you.

Thornton Wilder, my favorite playwright – the fellow who gave the world, ‘Our Town’ - once famously wrote: ‘People are meant to go through life two by two.  ‘Tain’t natural to be lonesome.’

And in keeping with a literary twist, albeit through a musical, I think that Charles Dickens’ Artful Dodger put it best when he sang to Oliver:

"Consider yourself at home.
Consider yourself one of the family.
We've taken to you so strong.
It's clear we're going to get along."

Although it seems that you have already been part of it for a very long time now, welcome to the family officially, kiddo.  And we in turn are proud to be part of your clan as well.

Now this is where the speech ended - up until last night when Zac handed me a note at the close of the rehearsal dinner.  He gently admonished me not to read it until the morning of the wedding.  But I cheated and read it before going to bed.  And I am glad I did, as his words made me smile as I drifted off to sleep.

“Noel,

I just wanted to say thank you.  You have treated me like a son for a while now.

But tomorrow it becomes official. I promise to love Krysten with all I have through this life. Words cannot express how my heart feels for her.

Thank you for all of the risks you have taken on me. And thank you for setting a great example on how to live life and love people so selflessly.  You are truly an inspiration to me.

Love,

Zac”

And with his words, I just found the real ending to my speech.