We've got our own international gathering here tonight. I want to say a special thank you to those of you who have traveled so far to share this special weekend with us. We have family and friends here from Finland, England, Japan, and Scotland, which are among the few places on the planet with worse weather than Houston.
There are two people I want to mention who were invited but could not attend the wedding. Both are soldiers representing the United States in Kuwait and Iraq. Matt Boulay, a Marine, is the brother of one of my groomsmen Tim, and a friend of mine for many years. The other is Ray's son, whom we affectionately refer to as Boy Shannon, since he shares a name with his step-sister. We keep them close in our thoughts and prayers and we ask that you do the same.
Now, mom, dad. Growing up, I always thought my family was weird. Of course, now that I'm turning into my parents, I think they're a lot cooler.
In high school, I didn't often invite friends for sleepovers because my dad would wake us up at the crack of dawn, which at that age is 9 or 10 a.m., to the clanging of pots and pans. And not in the kitchen. He was in my room, like a dorky drill sergeant, raising the dead on Sunday mornings for waffles and hippie music, both of which I have since come to appreciate.
Now that we have our own house, Shannon and I also enjoy waking our guests, though we prefer rousing visitors by opening a door or window and tripping the shrieking alarm. Instead of waffles, our specialty is low fat Pillsbury cinnamon roles and gourmet coffee. Only now that I've become my dad, I don't think I am a dork, just a good host.
Mr. Rogers died recently and I was surprised by the extent of my sadness that day. Part of it was because he reminds me of my dad, though my dad's vocabulary includes a few more prickly words. Both wanted to be priests, instead opting to raise beautiful kids. Both exhibit a tremendous patience and calm, sometimes to the point of your own frustration. Both take tremendous pride in their work and share a strong commitment to family. Both are gifted storytellers.
Most of us spend our lives trying to get past ourselves. My father has always seemed at peace with who he is. He knows less embarrassment, less pride than most of us. In Homer's epic poem, the Odyssey, Athena tells Telemachus, "if you are made of the same stuff as your father you will be neither fool nor coward henceforward, for Odysseus never broke his word nor left his work half done. Sons are seldom as good men as their fathers; they are generally worse, not better." If I'm half as good as my father, I'll be lucky, and so will Shannon.
Now for my mother. Across the world, Finns are regarded as quiet, shy, and reserved. They are said to be cold and devoid of emotion. Have you met my mother? The irony is that my mother has more passion, more grit, more spirit than anyone I know. In Finnish, it's known as Sisu. In fact, I think she perfectly embodies the Finnish proverb, "Strong willpower will take a woman even through stone."
The Finns are a lot less boring than they are given credit for. In fact, Finland has world championship competitions for wife-carrying, boot-throwing, and mosquito swatting. Instead of wife carrying, my mom deserves a gold medal in well-deserved husband prodding. Instead of mosquito swatting, she stands alone at the top in motivational ass kicking. And though sometimes we deserved to have a boot tossed our way the only things my mother throws are incredible parties.
She is tough, but fair. Determined and sensitive. Demanding and encouraging. She is never satisfied, but always my biggest fan. My parents are kind, giving, selfless, and the best friends you could ever want. And Shannon encapsulates everything that I love about my parents.
From the minute I saw her, there was no question in my mind that this was the girl I was going to marry. Every day has just confirmed it, and not just because her name goes so well with Darby. Shannon is a light. And everyone is drawn toward her. Everywhere we go, people want to be near her. At restaurants, including here, they remember her and fawn over her. Part of it is because Shannon has made it her lifelong pursuit to befriend every person on this earth and ask them each 21 questions. She is genuinely interested in every person she meets. She is intrigued by their upbringings, motivations, and dreams. She cares more and for more people than anyone I have ever known. While my network of friends is a small cadre, hers is closer to the size of a large country, and expanding tonight. Baby, when I stand with you tomorrow, it will be the greatest thing I have ever done – and the greatest day of my life.
I am lucky for another reason. I am inheriting two more sets of parents instead of just one. They have treated me like family since the beginning and supported me and us in our journey to tonight. We could not have better models for our own marriage, and our own lives. We truly are blessed.
So tonight, let us raise our glasses. For the Italians and Soprano's fans, Alla Salute. For the Japanese, Kan Pai. For the Finns, Kippis. For the Irish, Slainte. Cheers.