Yesterday was my best friend’s wedding day! It was absolutely beautiful and perfect and I was beyond honored to stand beside her as her matron of honor, just as she did for me on my own wedding day. I spent so much time thinking of what I wanted to say and how I wanted to say it in my speech (in front of 200 people… yikes!). These things are so hard, but so important, to write. I wanted to include some pictures of us over the years, so I told her they would be up on the blog for her to look at when she returned from her honeymoon. So here it is! I removed last names for privacy, but otherwise it is unchanged.
Hello everyone! My name is Stephanie and I am so honored and lucky to be able to be standing next to the new Mrs. N. today as her matron of honor. I want to start by thanking Taylor and Will’s families for having us all here tonight to celebrate an amazing day.
For those who don’t know, Taylor and I have been friends since we were about 12. We first met in 6thgrade math class when she showed me how to measure the circumference of an orange. Math is still not my strong suit, but I know I can always rely on Taylor to help me measure my fruits if ever the need should arise again. Thank you for that, Taylor.
Taylor has continued to teach me a lot of things over the years. She has taught me how to be a true friend, most importantly. She has also taught me the meaning of sisterhood, and how true it is when they say that friends are the family you choose for yourself. I’m honestly not sure words could ever truly convey what Taylor means to me and how special of a person she is.
Anyone who is lucky enough to know Taylor already knows that she is truly one of the kindest, most thoughtful, caring, and compassionate people in the world. She is one of a kind, and I am blessed to be able to call her my best friend, my sister, my family, and Godmother to my first born, Caleb. Our families are each other’s families, and I am so happy to say that Taylor truly is my soul sister. We were meant to be friends and then we became family.
So since you all already know how amazing and kind of a person Taylor is, I’d also like to tell you a little bit about what it was like growing up with her and tell you some of the more interesting things about her. What some of you may not know is that we were pretty weird growing up.
We were never into the whole party and drinking scene and we didn’t really go out. Instead, we spent the majority of our time together meticulously planning, executing, and editing various music videos and home movies. This was in the days before computer editing, so we would spend all day and all night editing videos on VHS, which back then meant multiple takes, rewinding, taping over the bad parts and so on. We put together elaborate costumes, created sets, and even wrote our own song lyrics when we had a band that we called Blink 182 ½ with Katie. Clever, I know. Sometimes I wonder if we ever missed out by not doing the typical “teen” things… and then I watch one of our videos again and I’m reminded that the only people who missed out were the ones who weren’t starring in our films. One of our feature films actually starred Mr. G. and was titled “When a Davey Calls.” Yeah, that one was obviously not a rip-off of “When a Stranger Calls.” Whatever. Ours was better. Davey… you were great. Honestly, our childhoods and teenage years were the best and I wouldn’t do a thing differently.
Not only did we have fun making videos, we had a lot of fun tormenting Mary and David, affectionately known as Mama G. and Mr. G. We’re sorry, you guys… but only a little. Some of my fondest memories include dropping water balloons onto Mama. G.’s head from a balcony in Michigan, taping down the handle on the sink nozzle so when she turned the faucet on she’d get drenched, and running around the coffee table shouting and chanting while Mr. G. watched TV. Frankly, I’m surprised we’re still alive. Thank you for not killing us. Love you guys!
So now let’s fast forward a few years. When Taylor first met Will while attending college, I was anxious to meet him. I often wondered if anyone would really “get” us and I distinctly remember having a conversation with our friend Chris after our first meeting. I remember us agreeing that we really, really liked him and that he DID seem to get us and that he really seemed to fit in. He laughed at our videos instead of just thinking they were completely bizarre, which let’s face it… they are. But still. He laughed with us, instead of at us. Right, Will? So Will, I want you to know that Chris and I did indeed discuss you behind your back six years ago, but you totally got our seal of approval and all of us love you, most especially because you love Taylor. Thank you for that. I love that you love my best friend so much.
Taylor, I know I’ve told you so many times over the years how much you mean to me, through various yearbook notes and letters after huge milestones in our lives. All of those words and messages still hold true today, but now they mean more than ever. Our friendship has endured the test of time at this point. You’ve been my sister for more than half my life now and we’ve been through it all together. You’ve gone diaper shopping with me on a Friday night not because you’re particularly interested in diapers, but because you love me and your godson. You’ve encouraged and supported me through all of our crazy endeavors. I don’t know how in the world I ever got so lucky to have such an amazing person as my best friend, but I did and I am always counting my lucky stars for you. You are classy. You are selfless. You are thoughtful, kind, and have the biggest heart of anyone I know. I wouldn’t be me without you.
When we were younger, we always said that one day we would be little old ladies together playing bingo in the nursing home. You’ll probably still be the only one who ever wins, but maybe you’ll share? Maybe? Anyway, husbands weren’t in the picture at the time, but I’m now glad to say that Will and Jerry will be there too, and they’ll be laughing at our aggressive Bingo game and our competitive spirit that only really ever comes out when it’s game time. We take our games seriously as some of you may know.
In closing, I want to say this: Taylor, you are beautiful inside and out, and I am so happy that you and Will found each other. He is one heck of a guy! Today will forever be one of the happiest and best days of your lives. On days that are hard, always look back on this day and this moment, and remember the love you feel for each other right now. Remember all the love that is surrounding you today with your family and friends. Today is the first page in a brand new book for you, and as C.S. Lewis wrote “Now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story no one on Earth has ever read: which goes on forever: in which every chapter is better than the one before.”
I hope that each chapter of your new lives together just keeps getting better and better. Will, as an unofficial member of Taylor’s family, I’d like to say welcome to the family. I love you guys! Let’s toast to the bride and groom!
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