Two Best-Man Speeches
I’d like to share the two speeches here.
In a recent post, I wrote about a lesson I’d learnt from having to give two best-man speeches on two consecutive weekends. The process of concentrated thinking about these two close friends was surprising. I found much joy in it. Having taken the time, I felt a deepened thankfulness and appreciation for the two of them and the influences they have had upon my life.
I am excited for them both — for Owen, and his wife Georgia; for Isaac, and his wife Hollie — and I look forward to our continued friendship in the future.
I’d like to share the two speeches here. Why? I initially decided against doing so. I thought that the memory of the precious day would be better preserved if left secure in the minds of few. I feared it would be somehow inappropriate. I worried that any poor grammar or syntax on my part would be uncovered. But I have changed my mind.
In light of my recent post, mentioned above, I want to share the speeches in order to honour Owen and Isaac as two of my dearest friends. Could I just have emailed the speeches over to them? Well, yes. But the more I share my gratitude for them, the more I hope their honour would increase, and their noble character be further magnified. It is a natural human behaviour to share with others that which we enjoy — in many ways it completes the process of enjoyment. How much more then, with friends?
Owen and Georgia
Saturday, 2nd July, 2016
Owen and I met when I began studying at Durham in September, 2014. We’d not known each other long before we realised that we were both as awkwardly serious as each other. I’ve learnt a great deal from Owen, and I focus on this in my speech.
“…For the last few months, a large glass vase has been sitting in the living room of our student house It is covered in bubble-wrap, waiting until Owen and Georgia move into their new home. What’s it for? It’s too big for flowers. It turns out, Owen bought the vase as a container for corks. Corks from bottles of wine, prosecco, even champagne. Why?…”
Isaac and Hollie
Saturday, 9th July, 2016
I’ve known Isaac for a decade, and Hollie for even longer. I found it hard to write only about Isaac, so this speech focusses on Isaac and Hollie as a couple and how they’ve already influenced one another.
“…I am, therefore, struck with a peculiar challenge coming to this speech. So much of who I know Isaac to be, to have become, and to be becoming, already sees and acknowledges Hollie. How then can I penetrate the depths of Isaac’s character, and share that with you today, as if he were a single man these past years?…”
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