Actual Best Man Speech and Wedding Reflection

I ended up rewriting that speech from the previous public entry, delivered it right on… though a bit nervously, my shaky voice had to be pretty apparent. This is what I said:

"Okay, I’m Justin and I’d like to begin the toasts or speeches. I’d like to thank BGem and BSco for inviting me to be apart of the wedding party. I’d also like to thank them for letting all of us participate in this special day with them.

I’ve known BGem for 17 years. Those years started out with what I consider to be fun, unique activites. A few of them that I think we both remember fondly are Map Making, playing with Legos outside, and sharing computer games. As great as those were, they don’t really define friendship. BGem and I have been friends because we always communicated and worked together. We’ve had many long, intellectual, objective conversations. He’s also been my most trusted friend and really helped Twin and I as we started building our life together.

When BGem expressed interest in dating BSco he was just so smitten, and overjoyed. Luckily, we didn’t have to wait too long to meet her and I came away with some pretty quick impressions: BGem and BSco were so alike personality wise that I felt like I had gained a friend, and they seemed like the perfect couple. Because of that, I knew we’d be here celebrating their marriage someday.

With that being said, I’d like to propose a toast to BGem and BSco; great friends and perfect newlyweds!"

So a few physical things to mention. The sweetheart table was right in front of the speakers facing the room and right in the middle of the two speakers. When I went to start, I was talking so quietly into the microphone that the nearest table said "We can’t hear you!" I looked at them bewildered and uttered "Really???" Then they pointed out that I was talking into my ear. I was still confused and they read into that and finished the exchange with, "You’re in front of a speaker."

I originally stood there to give some space between me and the sweetheart table. Now I was standing a few feet over and behind them. As I spoke, I stood mostly straight, but had my head down somewhat, like the microphone was on a short stand. I started out nervous, I felt a bit better when talking about friendship, but then was really nervous as I started to describe what I thought of them as a couple. In one hand I had the microphone, and in the other I was holding the wire – this is how I hold the microphone for playing Rock Band. I did pay some attention to the whole room, but I remember looking at Twin, BGem, and BSco the most, especially when I mentioned them in the speech. I proposed a toast without a vessel in my hand, so I held up the microphone and tipped that. No one was standing up to speak after me, so I asked "any more speeches?" I was putting the microphone back on the stand when the next person finally stood up. It turned out she was just a member of their Sunday congregation.

Ending Thoughts:

– There wasn’t a lot of speakers, so Twin also gave an impromptu speech. It wasn’t until she spoke that more people including fathers and siblings came up to speak.

– Their ceremony and reception were too short; 9 minute ceremony and a reception that lasted around 2h45m. Ours was 17 minutes, with a reception that 3hr30m.

– BGem and BSco did not seem to plan their reception at all. They didn’t think about speeches until Twin mentioned how dilligently I was working on mine. The dances were at the end, and BGem’s brother-in-law had to ask on the microphone if there was going to be dancing. There was no planned space for dancing.

– Twin and I had more bible scripture in our wedding.

– I did well, I stood on my spot and let a strange woman wrap her arm around mine. I took care of both rings, didn’t lose them or drop them as I handed them off to the priest. I didn’t have any scrapes on my head, and I didn’t trip or fall.

– BGem and BSco are the one couple out of the other two that are getting married that we know will last a lifetime. We are not as optimistic about LMP/GAries and ETaurus/CLeo. With LMP, I don’t think I will be apart of the wedding party. I am sure I know who the best man will be, and I think the other guys will be the SO’s of GAries’ friends (I feel so sure about that, I would bet money so remember that if I’m wrong).Then we probably won’t be at ETaurus’ wedding.

… on the housing front, we still haven’t been called into escrow to complete the closing process. Our extension expires tomorrow. Lastly, our apartment was rented yesterday for the year that begins after we vacate.