‘A Wedding Toast’

To the Mr. & Mrs.: May all your days together be filled with matrimonial bliss

In December, my younger sister took her first steps into adulthood when she tied the knot to her long-time fiance in front of all to see. And although everything went on without a hitch, I’ve got to admit it, I had “cold feet.”

As maid of honor, I was required to take care of the bride’s every need, which was the easiest of my duties. I remained cool, calm and collected for almost the entire evening until it was time to give my toast.

There was no podium to shield myself with, only a microphone with no stand and a sea of what seemed like unending faces.

As the best man and the groom’s brother gave their seemingly perfect speeches, I fumbled for my tattered reporter’s notebook and with hands shaking, tried to silently rehearse my toast.

Then suddenly it hit me. I didn’t have to face the crowd alone. I needed both my hands to flip the paper of my notepad – one to hold it and another to turn the pages – which meant that I needed someone to join me on stage and hold the microphone.

I turned to my dad who was seated next to me and said, “Dad, I’m gonna need your help.”

Being the wonderful father that he is, he held the microphone like a true professional, better than any microphone stand could.

I knew that I had to grab the guest’s attention and didn’t want to fall flat on my face. So, I went with funny.

I figured that if I could get everyone to let out a chuckle or two, then my words would travel with the speed of light.

I told candid stories of my sister’s youth like when she decided that at the age of 3 she should start cutting her own hair, or when she sneekingly fed my tiger barb fish, Killer, to our yellow tabby, Sam, while I was cleaning the fish bowl – an incident that I only recently found out about.

I spoke about how when she was around the ago of 7 I could hear her singing along to her Meatloaf cassette tape through my bedroom wall.

In her sweet child-like voice she would sing, “Oh, and I would do anything for love, but I won’t do that.”

I only heard and never saw her performance.

Every time I would open her bedroom door to catch her singing, she would stop. I guess she had stage fright.

I concluded my speech with a little anecdote on how I felt like my sister has become my best friend.

I moved home from college nearly four years ago, and really began to spend a lot of time with my sister.

We had the chance to get to know one another as more than just sisters, but as women and as friends.

And seeing my sister walk down the aisle was like watching the world’s most beautiful woman capture the hearts of so many.

To Amanda and Kyle, I wish you all the happiness in the world.

I wish you kindness towards one another and the patience to make it day by day.

Congratulations on your marriage! And hang in there, kids!

Questions? Comments? Story ideas? Email Special Sections Editor Heather R. Breaux at heatherb@heraldguide.com.