Most of you know that I was the best man in my brother’s June 18th wedding. You were probably also present at the reception for my toast. I want to post it here with what I would have said in a perfect world where I wasn’t nervous, had a perfect memory, and the ability to say what I want to say when I want to say it.
“Tonight, I struggle to find the right words for this occasion. I could tell you that I’ve been Daniel’s roommate for more than 90% of his life, as if that somehow qualifies me to stand up here and talk about the couple. I could go on about how I’ve watched Daniel and Debbie’s relationship develop over many years and it would be true. I could echo Lynette in mentioning that from as far back as 1998, when Dan and Joe and I would spend the night together, we would talk about “our girls”. The subject of Daniel’s antecdotes was always the same- Debbie. I could further add that I remember walking the curcuit twice to allow Daniel enough time to tell me of his most recent church experience with Debbie. I could tell you that there was hardly a sentence that didn’t start with at least some variation of the phrase ‘And it was funny because…'”
“Though all this is true, it seems to be superficial, cliqued, and even snubbing what this celebration is really about. It’s not about just Daniel, or just Debbie, or even just the two of them, but rather about God’s work of uniting them, of making two into one. Genesis 2 verse 24 states, “Therefore, a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” In light of that truth, I can now think of one word that is appropriate.”
“Would you raise your glasses and join me in this toast?”
“To Danbie!!!”
Even with nervousness and an imperfect memory, you did a great job with your toast.