Because I'm a sharer.
Here is my MOH speech, something I wrestled with as the MOH to my MOH's speech for my own wedding was awesome, perfectly emotional and heartfelt and comically endearing.
However, though I am an award-winning public speaker (those awards being bestowed in the 3rd and 4th grade for the oh so spellbinding grade school competition delivery on the topics of "McDonalds" and "Famous Canadians"), I am no comedian and was extremely nervous. However, I think the loving intention was there.
Speech (and musical ditty) after the jump.
Good evening everyone, good evening to all of the family, friends, and loved ones in the lives of Caroline and Phil, the newly married couple. I would like to start off by saying that Caroline, you look absolutely beautiful, you are glowing with the happiness and joy of this day and the eager anticipation of entering into this next phase in your life, your now shared life with your husband and love. And Phil, well you don’t look too shabby yourself.
I am Caroline and Phil’s Maid of Honour, and it is definitely the greatest of honours to be so. Thank you both for honouring me in this way. I have known Caroline since we were 4 years old, the majority of our lives. From the "Hot Girls" to the "Mopipas", from The Backstreet Boys to The Moffats, countless sleepovers, endless gut bursting giggles, meaningful and heartfelt conversations, trips to Montreal, Cancun and Las Vegas, the list goes on. We have had many, many adventures. But it is Caroline who was always been the adventurous one, the spontaneous one, the life of any party, the love and the laughter, the reason why many of us friends have had many of our experiences, both wonderful and embarassing. Caroline definitely loved to embarrass us all, always calling out our crushes and making love connections. In fact, most of my memories and stories involve Caroline convincing me to go on one adventure or another, stretching my personality and pushing my limits to embrace life and have fun. Without her, my life wouldn’t be half as exciting or filled with nearly as many laughs as it has been thus far. In fact, she was the one who convinced me to go on my greatest adventure, to let my guard down and give love a chance with my now husband Rob. Caroline is the great convincer, well versed in the art of persuasion, but all with the intent of wanting the best for all of us. That is her greatest and most humble characteristic. She loves the people in her life ferociously, with such strength and passion. Her love, well wishes, and good intentions are felt with a deep-rooted sincerity. She expects and brings out the best in those around her. She cares so much and loves with every ounce of her being, sometimes even to a fault as her expectations of receiving that love in return aren’t always met as wholly and unconditionally. Well Caroline, I hope that I have managed to show you as much unconditional love and loyalty as you have shown me over the years.
I don’t have a sister, but I liken the relationship I have with Caroline to one of sisterhood. We’ve grown into our own personalities with our own beliefs and values, we no longer necessarily form a collective opinion on clothes and crushes and moral conundrums, as we did when we were kids and teenagers. We are at various points in our lives. But at the end of the day, I consider myself so blessed, because I know that she will be in my life no matter what. Water can be just as thick as blood. And I know that we will continue to share life’s biggest moments together, as we are in this very moment right now. Caroline, with you I know that I am surrounded by love, and laughter, always laughter.
I have always said that your friends are the family you choose for yourself. You choose to surround yourself with individuals whose presence enriches your life for the better, with people who understand you and love you for all that you are (and all that you are not). In that respect, I have long since considered Caroline as my family, the sister I chose for myself. She is ingrained in the fabric of my existence, as much a part of me as anything or anyone. Our friendship doesn’t depend on quantity or on the give and take, there are no demands or fine print, it’s the quality of our bond and being able to pick up where we left off, time and time again, that stands the test of time.
Phil, you are now officially part of that bond, though you have been for quite some time now. It’s about time this day is here in fact, as you guys are already like an old married couple! In forming a family with Caroline today, you are now my family too, and I couldn’t be more happy and blessed for it. You are a wonderful man and capable of keeping up with Caroline and her spontaneity and adventures, after all you’ve managed to keep up with her so far! You are absolutely her partner in crime, and worthy of the task.
To you both, as your wedding song “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” says, now you don’t have to wait so long, to live together in the kind of world where you belong. You know it’s gonna make it that much better, now that you can say good night and stay together. You can wake up in the morning, when they day is new, after having spent the day together, to hold each other close the whole night through. You thought and wished and hoped and prayed it might come true, there isn’t a single thing that you can’t do. You are married and you are happy.
As a newly married man and wife, embrace the special and sacred moments to come. The greatest adventure is what lies ahead.
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