When my daughter asked me to give a speech for her wedding, I was thrilled! I had visions of creating a TED talk about love and marriage.

It would be funny and insightful. Sheer brilliance. I mean, after thirty-five years of matrimony, I should know a thing or two on the subject. Right?

Caileigh and Chris, my daughter and future son-in-law, gently reminded me that it was a “toast”, not a TED talk. No twenty minute speeches.

And I would be sharing the time slot with Deb (Mom).

Sigh. I’ll have to save that TED talk for another time, I guess…

Since Theatre plays a big role in our lives, I thought it would be appropriate to craft our toast as a kind of dialogue. So, here it is:

DEB: We’ve got to warn you, both of us are prone to getting emotional.

PETER: It’s likely that one of us is going to start crying. (pointing to Deb)

DEB: Yes, one of us. (pointing to Peter) Most likely him.

PETER: Chris, welcome to our family.

DEB: You’ve been a part of it for a while but now it’s official.

PETER: Caileigh made it very clear to us a few years ago, that you were important.

DEB: That you should both be treated as a unit.

PETER: That you, Chris, will always be included in her plans.

DEB: Our Caileigh thinks things through and made the logical decision:

PETER: She wants you, Chris, to be her husband and spend her life with you.

DEB: You are the one she wants to have fun with.

PETER: And grow old with.

DEB: To share in all the adventures this journey entails.

PETER: If that was all you had going for you, Chris, that would be enough for us.

DEB: But you are kind, funny, and can reach high shelves without a single bound.

PETER: You are interested in people, you laugh easily, and you like Les Miz!

DEB: You fit in easily with our family dynamic.

PETER: And welcome to the Cochrane family.

DEB: May both our families grow together with this beautiful union of our children.

PETER: Caileigh. Our beautiful, smart, caring little Guzzard.

DEB: Words can’t convey how much we love you.

PETER: You are a blessing to us.

DEB: Our curious, funny, little girl has grown up into an extraordinary, wonderful woman.

PETER: You came into this world with your eyes open, taking it all in.

DEB: You took your time learning to speak, but once you did, it was in full sentences. Sometimes including the word “actually”.

PETER: When you were three, you wanted to know why Barbie didn’t have nipples.

DEB: When you were eleven and your peers were afraid of spiders and bears, you were afraid of global warming.

PETER: You always wanted to forge ahead when we went on hikes.

DEB: To discover new things.

PETER: And now you are both embarking on the journey of marriage.

DEB: It is the journey of the days and years ahead that is important.

PETER: And how you love and grow in love together.

DEB: Always remember that love is an action.

PETER: Like your health, you’ve got to work at your love to keep it in good shape.

DEB: There will be bumps in the road.

PETER: Cute idiosyncrasies will get on your nerves.

DEB: He might breathe too loud.

PETER: She might tell your stories as if they happened to her.

DEB: He will fall asleep too quickly.

PETER: She will wake up too early.

DEB: He won’t notice anything.

PETER: She will notice everything.

DEB: And that’s why communication is so important.

PETER: Talk to each other.

DEB: Be aware of each other’s love language.

PETER: And communicate in each other’s love language.

DEB: Be generous with your love.

PETER: To each other and everyone else.

DEB: So, we raise a glass to Caileigh and Chris.

PETER: May God bless you both.

DEB: May you always know and feel the love your family and friends have for you.

PETER: May you continue to love each other,

DEB: More with each passing day.

PETER: That you remember love is an action.

DEB: That you continue to grow with each other.

PETER: And discover things about each other.

DEB: And when in doubt, be loving.

DEB & PETER: To Caileigh and Chris!