Best Man Speech
I recently traveled to Baltimore to attend the wedding of my long time friend Skins. I gave the following speech. I went without notes causing me to accidently leave out the line about the 1.8. In retrospect it's probably for the best. The bride was in tears and many people told me it was the best they'd heard. You be the Judge...
I want to start by saying how great it is to see everybody here tonight.
I know it means a lot to Skins and Crystal that you are all here to share in their special day.
I want also to thank Mr. and Mrs. Gallileo for inviting everyone into their home last night for a wonderful barbeque and for putting together a beautiful ceremony and reception.
Its great to see how many of the Skins’ were able to make it. You know, Mr. and Mrs. Skins were my second set of parents growing up.
Finally, I want to thank Skins for the honor of being his best man. I am truly humbled and grateful. Thank you.
On the first day of summer vacation nearly 20 years ago I walked down the block and knocked on the Skins’ door. I asked Skins if he wanted to play basketball in his driveway; they had a hoop and we didn’t. (Look at Skins. Say, What? OK). Skins would like me to add here that, yes, he did beat me in 1 on 1 while he was wearing ankle weights. This happened more than once and the scores weren’t close. He has been my closest friend since that day. We’ve been through a lot; shared a lot of life experiences.
It is tradition here to share with you a few of the more embarrassing stories about Skins. I’m not going to do that. I’m not going to talk about the one point eight. Was that his grade point average at MCC or his blood alcohol level at William Woods? I’m not telling. Partly because I’m afraid of his mom and partly because in our circle of friends Skins has always been the tame one; the voice of reason if you will.
The truth is that Skins doesn’t often embarrass himself. I was recalling an instance in Vegas when Skins hit the Jackpot in Wheel of Fortune. He gave a chunk of his winnings to two complete strangers for no other reason than they were seated at the machines on either side of him. Then he paid for our entire group to take a stretch hummer ride roughly a hundred yards down the strip. I thought it was a good illustration of the kind of guy he is. For how many guys can you tell a story about Vegas at their wedding and not have it be wildly inappropriate.
That got me to thinking. I am blessed with a great group of friends; many are here tonight and most of whom I’ve known as long as I’ve known Skins. You may have noticed us having waaayy too good a time at the barbeque last night…and on the bus to the hotel…and at the bar later that night. They’ve all, at one time or another, been there for me in some capacity. They are all, in the words of the immortal Weeks, Great guys.
So why, have I never hesitated to single out Skins as my best friend?
I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s because as long as I’ve known him I’ve never had to excuse him for anything. I’ve never thought, “That’s messed up, but it’s Skins so I’ll let it slide.”
I’ve never had to say, “I disagree with what you’re doing but I’m gonna back you up because you’re my boy.”
Never found myself thinking, “aahhh, Skins, I love that guy but sometimes I just wanna (pantomime choking)…Not Once.
He’s quite simply the most solid human being I know. I think that’s an amazing thing.
What I find equally amazing is that he has found someone, in Crystal, that is his equal in this regard. In the few years that I’ve known Crystal she has not only managed to win Skins’ heart but she’s won over an exceedingly large group of family and friends with her strength, her warmth, and her wit.
These two wonderful people who compliment each other beautifully are obviously very much in love. They are committed to spending their lives making one another happy. That is to be celebrated.
So, I’d like to ask everyone to raise your drinks (J-Dub, you’ve got two. That’s’ fine. You can raise both) and join me in wishing the bride and groom a long and happy life.
Congratulations. I love you guys.
I want to start by saying how great it is to see everybody here tonight.
I know it means a lot to Skins and Crystal that you are all here to share in their special day.
I want also to thank Mr. and Mrs. Gallileo for inviting everyone into their home last night for a wonderful barbeque and for putting together a beautiful ceremony and reception.
Its great to see how many of the Skins’ were able to make it. You know, Mr. and Mrs. Skins were my second set of parents growing up.
Finally, I want to thank Skins for the honor of being his best man. I am truly humbled and grateful. Thank you.
On the first day of summer vacation nearly 20 years ago I walked down the block and knocked on the Skins’ door. I asked Skins if he wanted to play basketball in his driveway; they had a hoop and we didn’t. (Look at Skins. Say, What? OK). Skins would like me to add here that, yes, he did beat me in 1 on 1 while he was wearing ankle weights. This happened more than once and the scores weren’t close. He has been my closest friend since that day. We’ve been through a lot; shared a lot of life experiences.
It is tradition here to share with you a few of the more embarrassing stories about Skins. I’m not going to do that. I’m not going to talk about the one point eight. Was that his grade point average at MCC or his blood alcohol level at William Woods? I’m not telling. Partly because I’m afraid of his mom and partly because in our circle of friends Skins has always been the tame one; the voice of reason if you will.
The truth is that Skins doesn’t often embarrass himself. I was recalling an instance in Vegas when Skins hit the Jackpot in Wheel of Fortune. He gave a chunk of his winnings to two complete strangers for no other reason than they were seated at the machines on either side of him. Then he paid for our entire group to take a stretch hummer ride roughly a hundred yards down the strip. I thought it was a good illustration of the kind of guy he is. For how many guys can you tell a story about Vegas at their wedding and not have it be wildly inappropriate.
That got me to thinking. I am blessed with a great group of friends; many are here tonight and most of whom I’ve known as long as I’ve known Skins. You may have noticed us having waaayy too good a time at the barbeque last night…and on the bus to the hotel…and at the bar later that night. They’ve all, at one time or another, been there for me in some capacity. They are all, in the words of the immortal Weeks, Great guys.
So why, have I never hesitated to single out Skins as my best friend?
I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s because as long as I’ve known him I’ve never had to excuse him for anything. I’ve never thought, “That’s messed up, but it’s Skins so I’ll let it slide.”
I’ve never had to say, “I disagree with what you’re doing but I’m gonna back you up because you’re my boy.”
Never found myself thinking, “aahhh, Skins, I love that guy but sometimes I just wanna (pantomime choking)…Not Once.
He’s quite simply the most solid human being I know. I think that’s an amazing thing.
What I find equally amazing is that he has found someone, in Crystal, that is his equal in this regard. In the few years that I’ve known Crystal she has not only managed to win Skins’ heart but she’s won over an exceedingly large group of family and friends with her strength, her warmth, and her wit.
These two wonderful people who compliment each other beautifully are obviously very much in love. They are committed to spending their lives making one another happy. That is to be celebrated.
So, I’d like to ask everyone to raise your drinks (J-Dub, you’ve got two. That’s’ fine. You can raise both) and join me in wishing the bride and groom a long and happy life.
Congratulations. I love you guys.
posted by Pudge | 7:14 PM
2 Comments:
Hell of a speech buddy!
Very eloquent... i love it when you put on your writing hat!
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