A Jeep In Summer

Notes For Tomorrow Night's Wedding Rehearsal Dinner Speech

Who would have thought that a fairly random decision to move into a house with five or six much younger guys I didn’t really know would result in so much laughter and so many late nights and love and listening. As we’re coming up on four years of knowing each other, of friendship, of relationship, it seems like a good time, a good place, a time and a place the day before your wedding, to reflect a bit and to say some things that might not get said otherwise. So I’m going to take advantage of this opportunity.

Chattanooga

Calvin

consistent

G, you’re one of the most stable people I know. If you say you’ll do something, you do it. For instance, one of G's household chores was to put the recycling out on the curb on Tuesday mornings. And I’ll be darned if you didn’t ALWAYS do it! I know that consistency isn’t always the most exciting thing...but it is one of your gifts, and will stand M in good stead. Whatever ‘in good stead’ means. I don't know what connotations consistency has for all of you here tonight, but for me it means going to the end of the highway. Running the last mile. Running it well. Doing the hard stuff, doing the commitment stuff. You know, we don't know what life holds. The day after tomorrow, the next year could be a disaster for any of us, even for you, G and M. G, because you are consistent you keep your commitments, and the vows and commitments you make tomorrow will be the solid earthly ground that M stands on for the rest of your life together. I really love that I can stand with you tomorrow and know and believe that the promises you make will not be broken. And here's a side note: while I love the strength of your promises, I firmly believe that life is not lived in a vacuum of two people, it is not lived in isolation. It is lived in community. So part of what I'm saying tomorrow when I stand at the end of the line of men at your side is this--I will help you keep those vows. If there are ways in which I can help you, you should let me know.

chow, as in house dinner--for both W and G

I am gonna miss house dinner. I don’t know whose idea it was, was it mine(?), but it has been good for my soul to sit around the table and catch up and laugh and tease and sometimes share the joys and burdens of our hearts. We have eaten well and poorly, from steak to hot dogs, from birthday dinners at J. Alexanders to burgers on the road. There is a reason that mealtime together, for any household, is sweet and valuable and necessary, and we have been there and done that. I have appreciated the time that both of you, W and G, have donated to that particular cause, especially the weeks when I said, I can’t possibly cook, will you cook for me? I realize that especially these last few months it took a real effort and probably a small sacrifice to be there, at the table, for that time, and I hereby thank you. There are ways in which the table in my house will be full only when it includes the two of you. There are going to be empty spaces, there already are empty spaces, in my house--in cupboards and bedrooms, in the pile of available movies. But the table, representing fellowship, is probably the hardest empty space to see. But I know and realize that we weren’t meant to be housemates for a lifetime, for which I am sure you are grateful. This time in our lives is over, and it has come to a good end. I am grateful that we had this time, so much time, together. Your friendship and companionship and presence in my house has given me stability and sanctification and lots of things to think about and maybe prevented me from being impossible to live with in the future. One last thing--you are always welcome at my table. You don’t even have to call. Well, actually, you might want to, just to make sure I’m home. I guess if I’m not home you can raid the fridge and the cupboards, but don’t drink everything in the supplemental refrigerator. Know what I mean?

cell, as in cell phone

I knew it was getting serious when G and M talked on the phone for six hours one Saturday. I think that beats even my own record for phone time. Actually, this relationship owes a lot to some technological conveniences like mobile phones...and the excellent highway system of the United States. G has been on the road many weekends the last 15 months. I think someone has done the addition and come up with the estimated number of miles Greg has demanded of that little Toyota. The payoff of all that driving is tomorrow, and the marriage you'll enjoy for, God willing, many years to come. Yes, that is the payoff, but the Brotherhood of Bama Bachelors would like to formally recognize your many many many hours of car time. [presentation of plaque]

Frequent Driver Award
2003-2004 Courting Season

presented to

G A

by the 'Bama Bachelors

'On The Road Again'

Posted by mike at May 21, 2004 12:32 AM