M's Wedding Speech

W & T are still on their honeymoon. Remind me to take a two week honeymoon when I get the opportunity, okay?

W asked me the night of the wedding to "pubish" my maid of honor speech so she could read it again and remember it (ha!). I've edited the original version into what most closely resembles what I actually said. My goal was to keep it relatively light and funny, while at least acknowledging the that day was bittersweet for me. I think I accomplished it. Here goes:

"Where to even start this speech!? It’s kind of difficult to capture 25+ years of life together (that would be the two of us) and combine it with talk of a future which hopefully includes 50+ more years (that would be the two of them…) It’s a tall order! I guess I’ll start by first telling T all of the reasons for which he can thank me for making W a good marriage mate:

1) With all of our time shoved together into tight spaces (the womb, the double stroller, the kitchen sink, the twin bed…) W has learned to be a keep-to-yourself sleeper who respects the barrier pillow.

2) Because of my childhood shyness, W was appointed as spokesperson for the both of us. This resulted in her being forced to talk to adults, answer questions, and eventually develop into an extrovert… which complements T's introverted nature nicely, which he don’t admit to, but it’s true.

3) Who knows where W would have ended up without my incessant middle-school nagging (and okay, sometimes downright coercion) to stop with the sweatpants, learn a hair-do, wear a bra, and shave her legs!?

4) Courtesy of me, W is excellent at being bossed around... But, you’d never abuse this privilege like I would, right T??

5) Finally, being a twin carries with it a unique aptitude for relationship. W was born as a couple, raised as a couple, matured as a couple, and will enter into your marriage coupling with skills, insight, and experience that simply cannot be otherwise learned. She is primed for partnership... she'll probably be better at it than you.

…for all of this, I have one thing to say to you, T… you’re welcome.

Now about W and T… a few months back I had T interviewed for a little bachelorette party game that we were planning to play. He was asked when he knew he was going to marry W… he answered (quote) “when I asked and she said yes.” Nice, T… very smooth. I was thinking of this as I decided what to include in this speech; it occurred to me that W and I prophesied your wedding long beforehand… before the proposal, before the first kiss, before the first real dance. I believe it was over some magical fruit smoothies in the basement of King Library at Miami University. It wasn’t a grand or ground-breaking proclamation, but a short acknowledgement between the two of us that T probably was the one and it was likely only a matter of time. I don’t think we realized at the time the full weight and life-changing nature of the conversation. Although, W was sure to let me know that I was in charge of making sure all proposal-related details would be acceptable and pleasing to her (I think we covered that just fine, right T?!)

Many people say, of finding “the one,” that “when you know, you know.” In a paradoxical way, it seems that the conclusion of the dating “hunt” becomes almost anti-climactic… instead of big waves crashing down and throwing you towards the right person, it’s more often a beautiful peace and stillness… a steady conviction that this person just feels like… home. More than anything else, that’s what I see when I look at W and T. They absolutely radiate a rightness… a peacefulness about their relationship… the kind of joy the heart only feels when it is in line with God’s sovereign plan.

Paster Steve said during the ceremony that “what God has joined together, let no man separate.” (Mark 10:9). I have had the privilege of being “joined together” with Mallory for the past 25 years, and I guess today I pass the torch. I could not be more confident that you are in good hands with each other, and in the embrace of God. T, I promise to try to respect and stay out of your marriage, as long as you recognize that, in a way, you’ve gotten kind of a package deal. God bless and love you both – Cheers."