Speech by Paul Tolfree

Speech Type: Best man
Speech Creator: Paul Tolfree
Speech Date: 16/07/2014 16:57:10

Good Afternoon everyone, for those of you who don't know me I'm Paul I‘m Kris's older brother and his Best Man.

Now ever since I was asked to be Kris's Best Man I've wrestled with what kind of speech to do for the occasion should it be sentimental or funny or should I just make it short and simple . . . you know like Kris. I think I've made a nice balance of all of the above.

Now Kris doesn't know this but one of my very first memories is when I visited the Hospital when Kris was born. Now my parents when they knew they were having a 2nd child wondered which I would prefer a little brother or sister. So they came to me and asked “What would you like the most Paul” I thought long and hard about this, (pause for a second..) well as long and hard as a 2 year old can and gave my answer.  The fateful day then arrived and I was taken to the hospital to visit the new arrival, I'm sure all of you can understand how disappointed I was to find that mum had in fact gotten me a baby brother . . . and not a Go kart which is what I really wanted.That being said I was very happy to be a big brother . . . right up to the moment he learnt to talk.

Trying to think of stories of Kris was difficult mainly because any story I had made me look like the idiot while Kris looked like the hero and we couldn't have that. However the one story that does stick in my mind is the time on my stag do a few years back we were in Edinburgh and my friends decided that they were going to make me the perfect drink and by perfect they meant deadly.  After persuading the barman to put as many spirits and mixers into one glass as was possible they came looking for me.

Luckily for me I was nowhere to be found so they passed the drink to my dad and said quite clearly “Give this to your son.” Now my dad the literal thinker that he is finds the first son he can see which happens to be Kris and passes him the drink. Now as I understand it Kris downed a lot of it straight away and then went back into the club to dance.

About an hour or so later, the club was closing the consensus was to go  . . . to a different kind of club. So we grouped together only to find that Kris was missing. So after finding out from one of my mates what my dad had done I called Kris's mobile and a heard a Scottish male voice on the other end of the line telling me Kris was outside, slightly worried what Kris had got himself into I went outside to find Kris slumped in the corner with a stranger looking after him I thanked the man and picked Kris up to which Kris looked up at me and told me in a very slurred voice “I love you “. . . . I assume that was meant for me and not the Scottish guy. Looking to my dad to give me support I watched him come over to Kris and voice is displeasure. . . not at the fact that Kris was drunk but that now we couldn't visit the other club that we looking to go to. Now that experience taught me two things.

1. If ever you're given an alcoholic drink that you're not sure about, give it to Kris he'll drink it and you can enjoy watching what happens to him.

2. That although there are times Kris and I don't agree, we both look out for each when we need too.

Now I want to mention to Jo how beautiful she looks. You truly look stunning and special today and I hope Kris realises how lucky he is . . .  Jo, Never let him forget it. I suppose this would be an opportunity to say officially welcome to the family but I feel there is no need as I and the rest of the Tolfree clan have always felt that you were part of our family. What I feel I should say is thank you for letting us become part of your family. . . I'll let you decide if that's a mistake as time goes on.

I would like to thank both of you on behalf of (ushers) & (Bridesmaids) for our role in the wedding we all appreciate that you wanted us as part of your special day. Also wanted to make a mention to all the friends and family who are no longer with us who I know would have loved to have been here.(pause) 

When Kris and Jo started dating I was concerned for Jo knowing what my brother could be like I wasn't sure he could be mature enough to be in a relationship with so much responsibility. However I'm glad to say that I underestimated him, his love for Jo and Liam were and are immeasurable he showed that he is a great partner and wonderful dad.

Of course after Aiden was born we saw even more that both Jo and Kris were an equal partnership that helped and supported each other and who don't take any of each other's shall we say Stubborn moments . . . (Seriously Jo I don't know how you do it).

Now to say I'm happy for both you doesn't even come close to what I want to say I'm filled with so much love and pride for you.  That you both found your perfect partner and that you have two wonderful Children, Kris could not have found a more perfect match. With that said I would like to get everyone to raise a glass to Toast Kris and Jo, so without further ado To the Bride and Groom . . .  (Toast)