Chris & Lori

Mr. & Mrs. Chris Post – May 4, 2013

This past weekend, I had the honor of being my friend Chris’ best man, and witnessing his marriage to his gorgeous bride, Lori. The ceremony was beautiful. The vows they exchanged came deep from their hearts. And I tried my best to fight off tears of joy for someone I’ve known all of my life. It was hard… But I pulled through.

The past few months of my life have been difficult. Both my maternal grandparents passed away only 5 months apart. But this wedding made me realize that life goes on. That life is indeed a beautiful thing filled with wonderful moments and great friends. So in honor of that day, I’m sharing with you my toast to my friend Chris and his wife Lori.

Hi everyone, good evening. My name is Edil.

I’d like to thank everyone for being here tonight and joining us in the celebration of Chris and Lori, as well as, give a special thank you to the parents and grandparents of the bride and the groom. Chris and Lori, I am deeply honored to be your best “man” today and beyond grateful to witness your marriage.

Some of you may already know this, but I have had the amazing privilege of knowing Chris since we were five years old – yup, since we were in kindergarten. For years now, I’ve lived on the opposite side of the country in Washington D.C., and Chris has been in Northern California since after high school, BUT we’ve remained best of friends. Even after all the years apart, we still seem to pick up conversations right where we left off. And for me, that is the definition of a true friend – someone who never leaves your heart.

When I think about our friendship, I immediately think of a book written and illustrated by Shel Silverstein called The Giving Tree. The book is about the life of a young boy and the friendship he shares with a tree. And throughout the book, the tree sacrifices itself for the little boy, freely. Because the tree loved the little boy. And growing up, I always saw Chris as being selfless – sacrificing for his friends – because he cared for them and he loved them. This, for me, is Chris’ greatest strength and most admirable trait.

And so to Lori, I will say this – you have a husband who is devoted to you and will never let you down. He will sacrifice himself freely because he loves you. I have seen him at his worst and I’ve seen him at his best, but through the years, I have never seen him as happy as he is as when he’s with you. Take care great care of him.

To end, I leave the both of you with a quote. “We never live so intensely as when we love strongly. We never realize ourselves so vividly as when we are in full glow of love for others.”

Everyone – please join me in a toast:  Chris and Lori, I know the two of you will have a long and happy life together. I speak for everyone here when I say I wish you both a lifetime filled with happiness, joy, and love. May they last forever. Cheers!!!!!

‘Til the next time,
E