Saturday, June 11, 2011

*Katie*

One of my best friends, Katie, gets married today in our hometown in Florida. I'm not able to be there because my school semester is still going on, and it breaks my heart a little not to celebrate with her, her family, our friends, and her new husband!

Below is the "speech," I sent in to the maid of honor, to read at the reception, since I am the Matron of honor.

Katie,

When Jessica asked if I wanted to send in a toast, as your honorary matron of honor, I stumbled for days thinking what to say, how to summarize over a decade of friendship. I poured through pictures documenting our middle school, high school, and college days.

How could I tell you how much our friendship has meant? How could I express my love for you and my joy for you and Mike on this special day?

I'm not sure if I can do it justice, but I will try.

Though our friendship has changed through the years, the simplicity of it all began when we were starting middle school. My family had just moved to Oviedo and started at First Baptist. I went to the early hour, you went to the later hour. I was starting public school and you were home schooled. For all intents and purposes, we should not have crossed paths, but we did, and God had a plan for us!

To quote a much loved movie of our childhood "If God throws a curveball, don't duck, you just might miss something."

I am so grateful for your friendship.

You were my fellow book worm, my encourager, my "funny valentine," my entertainer, and my travel companion.

We've traveled all over the south, learned together in Washington DC, served in Brazil, explored London, walked in the footsteps of Tolkien and Lewis in Oxford, romped in Normandy, and frolicked through the sights of Paris.

You have been the shoulder for me to cry on, the ear for me to rant to, the sounding board for my ideas.

You are the laughter in my life, the song in my soul, my voice of reason, my kindred spirit, my best friend.

Katie, I never would have guessed, in a million years, that I would not be standing next to you on your wedding day. The miles that separate us as I am living overseas can not distance the friendship that we have, and so I must believe there is a reason that I am not dancing and laughing with you tonight before sending you off as a married woman.

I have loved hearing the excitement in your voice, over the phone, as you and Mike have grown closer together, become engaged, planned your wedding, and began dreaming of your life together.

As you and Mike begin your married life together I wish to pass on a few pieces of advice:
Love with your whole heart, listen with an open mind, and speak to uplift.
Katie and Mike, I love you guys and Congratulations!




5 comments:

Amber said...

Very well written. It'll be a tear-jerker for sure!

Emily said...

What a beautiful tribute to a blessed friendship! Those words not only crossed thousands of miles, but will last forever in your friend's heart!

Brandy said...

Aww that was so sweet! I'm sorry that you couldn't make it to their wedding.

Unknown said...

I felt tears prickle my eyes as I read this. So beautiful!

Courtney said...

Dear friend you had me in tears at the wedding! I loved that we were at least able to hear your words that day! I like it even better with the pictures.