I did one for my little brother,
Ladies and gentlemen, Can I have your attention please, I need to steal the spotlight from the bride for a second.
For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Mike and I’m Joe’s â??Bigâ?? brother. I would just like to confirm, particularly to anyone with us today that may either be blind or have really poor eyesight, that it refers to our age difference, and no physical characteristics at all what so ever.
The last time I spoke in front of so many people dressed this nice, the one in the middle was wearing a black gown and all I could say was, â??not guilty, your honourâ??. This time I am honored. Thereâ??s no greater a privilege than to be asked to be a best man, and no more terrifying a prospect than having to do the Best Manâ??s speech. Itâ??s the speech that no one wants to do. The best man doesnâ??t really know what heâ??s expected to say and yet his speech is supposed to be humorous â?? but it might not be. Itâ??s supposed to be short â?? but it probably wonâ??t be. It should be original â?? but it seldom is. It should not offend â?? but most do. And finally, itâ??s supposed to be sincere and I certainly intend mine to be. In fact, I cannot be more sincere than to say to Joe what an honor you have done me by asking me to be your Best Man today.
Joe is an amazing young man, I watched him grow up to be the person he is today. I remember changing his diapers, and sorry Amy, but it has pretty much been that size from the start.
I remember sitting in coolers filled with water trying to beat the summer heat, and cobbling together old Tonka trucks to play with down on the beach.
I remember walking Joe to school when he was in second grade. I volunteered to help the second graders as part of a high school assignment. Luckily for the both of us I was assigned to Joeâ??s second grade class. I donâ??t think I was as concerned with helping him learn as I was with preventing him from eating paste. I didnâ??t want my brother known as the paste eater in school.
I can recall Joe getting in trouble for tearing apart Dadâ??s tools just to see how they worked, I also remember him getting in even more trouble for leaving Dadâ??s tools scattered around the yard. Which believe it or not just so happens to be one of his pet peeves too, go figure.
Joe has a tendency to tear things apart, and then call me looking for a manual so he can put it back together.
Unfortunately marriage is one of those things that doesnâ??t have a manual, and it defiantly takes work. If you ever feeling like itâ??s in a million pieces and you need help, I myself donâ??t have a manual, but I am here to lend an ear.
Amy, the life you two share together is exceptional. You two have an understanding about one another that seems to flow naturally. I admire your ability to not only juggle the daily tasks of parenting, but being able to put up with Joe at the same time. He is like having another 3 year old, only difference is heâ??s potty trained and can bathe himself,â?¦â?¦ sometimes. You have joined hands in marriage with the hardest working person I have ever met. The only thing bigger than his work ethic is his heart and it shows. Oh, and FYI, When Evan goes to school you might want to hide the pasteâ?¦â?¦…
I wish anyone who thinks that â??bigger is always betterâ?? could be with us right now, because they would surely be amazed at the tremendous amount of happiness and joy that can flow from the right group of well wishers. We are all truly privileged to have been asked to be a part of such a warm and intimate ceremony as Joe and Amyâ??s wedding, I offer my love and appreciation to the bride and groom for inviting me to play a role in such a very personal gathering. Iâ??m sure we all want to congratulate Joe and Amy on their very first day as husband and wife and thank them for giving us a day we will never forget.