15 November 2013, Adelaide, Australia
Hello.
As father of the bride on behalf of the Emma’s mother, Jan, the groom Mark’s mother, Jeanette and her husband, Rob and the grooms father, Mark, I extend a warm welcome to all the relatives and friends who have joined us to celebrate this occasion.
I know that many of you have travelled long distances to be here. Thank you all for coming to help celebrate this very special day. Although it evokes a touch of sadness, I cannot let this moment pass without mentioning those loved ones who cannot be with us. Special mention should be made of Mark’s grandmother who died earlier this week. How they all would have loved to be part of today's celebration. Wherever they are, I'm sure our absent friends and family will be looking down on us and are very pleased and happy for Emma and Mark Please be upstanding and raise your glasses in a toast ……….to absent friends and family……
Today, I look at my daughter and I see an intelligent, independent, attractive, elegant, stunning young woman…. she obviously takes after her mother. The child that was a non stop chatterbox has grown into a beautiful, sensitive and caring woman.
Whilst preparing this speech I reflected on Emma’s childhood. From the day of her birth with her doting brother and sister Marcus and Sarah so keen to see their new sister that Marcus ran onto Anzac Highway and got hit by a passing car, resulting in a broken leg and about 6 weeks in ½ body plaster cast. It was a hell of a start.
Walking and holding intelligent conversations at 10 months of age, Emma has been in a hurry all her life.
Except for getting to school on time.
The 500 metre walk to OLSH school was always left to last minute resulting in Emma’s home group teachers total frustration.
When in Yr 9 walking home from school one afternoon, Emma clicked into her other love - her love of animals. In the bushes next to the intersection of Main North Rd and Regency Rd, she came upon a small black bundle of fur covered in vomit and blood. Today, about 14 years later, Henry’s old and deaf but still enthusiastically greets visitors into the yard today.
At 16 with a drivers licence in her hand, my car was no longer mine. I astounded me how often Emma needed to drive to school. At least it was more difficult to find stray animals.
I am really fortunate that my Emma has met her Mr. Right. Of course, marriage isn’t just about finding the perfect partner, but also about being one. Emma has made such a success of her life and career so far, that I’m sure her marriage to Mark will be just as successful. I must admit that I am the proudest dad in the world to have accompanied Emma today. I think that you will all agree that she looked stunning. Every Dad hopes his daughter will find a reliable, sensible, and considerate partner and as much as you try not to interfere in their lives, you always hope your children will make the right choices in life. Emma chose Mark.
Mark, we are delighted to welcome you into our family. Any man who is prepared to gut his house…. literally, …and then proceed to rebuild it personally with new timber floors… polished, new ceilings…painted, new kitchen..fitted etc.. only months before his wedding has demonstrated his commitment. or does he just need to be committed. Has the paint dried yet Mark?
Even so, when you see how stunning Emma looks today, it proves one thing I’ve come to know about Mark– he is clearly a man of vision … occasionally blurred, sometimes double, but nonetheless a man of vision who’s been lucky enough to find my daughter. Plus when I saw he had a passion for motorbikes that earned him points in my book. So it’s a pleasure, Mark to formally welcome you into our family.
So onto the next part of the speech……offer bits of advice Mainly for Mark really:
I suppose that after 32 years of marriage I ought to be able to manage something a bit constructive. Mark just remember these 3 words …all, only and just. You will hear them many times. Such as all you need to do is, it only costs this much and it will just take 5 minutes. These are all gross understatements but as a great philosopher or was it a comedian said,”women are to be loved and not understood”.
Mind you, helping around the house is not a bad idea. I believe from the crime statistics that there has never been a case of a wife shooting her husband while he was doing the washing up. When you are wrong admit it, whenever you’re right…just shut up! There is no challenge in a marriage that can’t be overcome by one or more of the following: I was wrong! You were right! And ….yes dear I love You!
And finally remember: Marriage will teach you many things — loyalty self restraint…obedience. Jan says that I’m in the remedial class . Well we come to the last of my duties and that’s giving the toast to the bride and groom … Ladies and gentlemen, we have a radiant bride. We have a charming and handsome groom. If you could charge your glasses and be upstanding. Emma put out your hand and Mark take hold of it…..now Mark remember this moment because trust me it will be the last time that you ever have the upper hand [or Married 3 hours and Emma already has the upper hand]
May they be blessed with happiness that grows and with love that lasts. We wish them enjoyment for today, the fulfilment of all their hopes and dreams for tomorrow and love and happiness always. To the bride and groom…..Emma and Mark