Speech by Howard Hoyt

Speech Type: Father of the bride/groom
Speech Creator: Howard Hoyt
Speech Date: 24/10/2012 06:55:52

Allison & Jamey

Introduction

For those of you who don't know me I'm Alli's dad and Jamey's father-in-law, Howard. Elaine and I would like to welcome each of you and thank you for being a part of today's festivities… 

It is especially wonderful to look out and see all of our family and friends who are able to be with us today…Being a “Left Coast” family with “Right Coast” and North-West roots we understand the sacrifice many of you have made to be here tonight… 

Your presence shows your friendship and love… It also brings even greater joy to this wonderful day!  We hope you all have a fabulous time tonight…

What a fantastic setting for a wedding and celebration and what a beautiful ceremony it was… Allison told us that she dreamed of having her wedding at this venue for years…We were all just waiting for Jamey to pop the question…

We would like to thank all who helped make today possible…A couple of special thanks…Family friends Mandy Wyndham – who coordinated the makeup and hair styling for all of our special women today; Ed & Karen Calabrese who facilitated the wine selections, Chrissy Solar from Fine Design – who is the florist and wedding coordinator,  DJ – Bill Calhoun from Mobil Music who is responsible for getting everyone up and dancing tonight… Mark Liggy who officiated today's ceremony…Caterer – Ramon & staff from Ranch Events who have been and will be taking care of us this evening…Thank you!!

We would like to especially welcome the Grandparents of Jamey and Allison who are with us tonight…please stand and let us show our love and appreciation:

Debbie's mom – Grandma BJ with her husband Grandpa Gordy Dunn

Elaine's dad Albert Jaccard

My parents Ray and Martha Hoyt Jamey & Alli would also like to recognize Jamey's late father Jim Olmstead, Gramma Barbara Neeley, Grandpa Jim Olmstead, Grandpa Kenny Cothren and Allison's Granny Frannie – Francine Jaccard who passed before this day but are nonetheless a special part of their lives and this marriage.

To Debbie and the entire Olmstead family…Today our family trees sprouted a new branch…You raised a wonderful son and we are extremely happy to welcome Jamey and your family to our family.

There are two things that we as parents give our children…One is roots and the other is wings… Also, it is said…that when children find true love…Parents find true joy.

Jamey and Alli, go forth in marriage knowing that your family is always here for you… And here's to a lifetime of love and our collective joy from this day forward.

Advice

I am not an authority on love and marriage advice…My biggest accomplishment was convincing Elaine to marry me almost 29 years ago…but I do have some thoughts that I'd like to share and since dinner won't be served until after the speeches…you are pretty much a captive audience… 

Success in marriage is not about finding a person that you can live with… It's about finding the person that you can't live without…

Love does not only consist strictly of gazing at each other…But looking forward in the same direction…

A happy home is one in which each spouse grants the possibility that the other may be right even though neither believes it so…

The best way to get rid of kitchen orders is to eat out…

Housework won't kill you but why take a chance…

For Jamey…

A great philosopher once said…A man who gives in when he is wrong is a very wise man and a man who gives in when he's right is “married”…

I prepared much of the advice that I wanted to share with you tonight in advance of the passing of our beloved family member and pet Kona this past Monday… I thought about whether or not to share it and whether or not I could even do it… Finally I decided that there is no better way to express what I wanted to share as well as pay tribute to a dear friend… Here goes…

Perhaps the best advice about love and marriage comes from observation of loving friends and the way they live their lives…In this case not people friends but our dog friends Carter and Kona…

For instance…Carter misses you when you are away… Kona is the first to welcome you when you return…He will be foremost to defend…Her eyes smile because she's in love…Both commit to the relationship without reservation…He promises to love you more than anyone else can…She promises you all of her tomorrows…Both are there for each other in good times and in bad…Both provide strength and support to the other…He knows that success in any relationship doesn't come from finding the right mate but from many years of being the right mate…She looks longingly into the future…They both cherish fond memories of the past…He enjoys the pure joy of the moment…knowing that to have great joy one must be willing to share it…She makes his day brighter…He makes her heart warmer…Her love is unconditional…His love is unconditional…Because of him…She will rise early…Because of her… He will take long walks…Both are fiercely loyal…Both believe in family…

I could go on but just a few more thoughts…

Kona prefers a belly rub…Carter prefers a back end rub… Both will seek position to get what they want…

She dreams of a home filled with happiness…Carter dreams of a Charger's collar for Christmas… The way they approach life embodies the very love, friendship, trust and unbridled happiness that we wish for you as you start your life together as a married couple…

Of course… all of this is profound in that often we think that Carter and especially Kona are really just scanning the situation for treats…

Allison

My Dear Allison – Second Daddy's Girl, our wonderful daughter and my “Oopa Scoop”

It is said that the only time a woman really succeeds in changing a man is when she is a baby…My heart grew when you were born as it did when your sisters were  born…That's 3 sizes…I guess I'm similar to the Grinch (who stole Christmas)…It's safe to say that you have each had me wrapped from day one…

Thank you for the honor of walking you down the aisle today…That is one memory that I will cherish forever… made me feel like a King escorting his Princess into the next part of her life…

You look amazing…

The day you were born your mom and I walked around the marina in St. Petersburg, FL trying to entice you to join us but you weren't having much of that… Instead we eventually ventured over to the Midwife Birthing Center where your mom was ushered into a whirlpool/hot tub in order to wait you out. After what seemed like hours we whisked your mom from the tub just in time for your grand entry…We took you home that very afternoon.  

I remember just a few months later you having a very long and funny gibberish conversation with Gram Hoyt at the table after Christmas Dinner…

I remember you driving the Barbie Jeep… Your mom and I will never forget “Purple Australia” (Yours and Sara's make believe destination).  I used to call you AJ Hoyt…Of course, later on I also remember when you were learning to drive a real car and your venture through our garage door…  

I remember your “babies” and bags of supplies to take care of your baby sister's every need…

I remember being in a hotel room with Allison jumping from bed to bed…Allison quit jumping on the bed…And your classic response…Why – you're not the owner…

I remember…Ballerina 22’s or as daddies call them 33’s…

I remember pretending to tolerate nail polishing, shampoos, hair styling, facials, cucumber eyes and other spa treatments… I remember your Doctors, answered prayers and God's grace at Children's Hospital…

I remember visiting Colleges with you and dismissing from my mind that Chico State earned its reputation as a “party” school…

I remember Tequila shots and Red Tide with you, your mom and Jamey on your 21st Birthday…

I remember the day Jamey asked you to marry him (Elaine and I were in the know) and the puzzled look on your face when he was insistent to go on rainy day hike…

There is no need to talk about your stubbornness…you come by that honestly…

You're not only a Sweetheart but a wonderful person with one of the sweetest hearts I have ever witnessed…Your mom and I are looking forward to many fun filled  years together with you and Jamey…

Jamey…

I remember the day you asked me if you and Allison could get married…We were at the pond with Carter and Kona and your plan to speak to me had to be put on hold because my friend was bombarding us with questions for over an hour…When we finally got back up to our trucks I could tell that you were a bit nervous…For those of you who have never experienced it there is something special about this exchange…As a father you're thinking…how can I make this harder on the guy?  I can only imagine what Jamey was thinking…

In reality – I was very proud of the way you handled yourself and the situation that day…Also there wasn't a lot of suspense regarding my response…After all, I had announced to the family on a Myrtle Beach trip that if Allison didn't marry Jamey – Elaine and I were going to… So…I'd like to officially welcome you into the family even although we feel that you've been part of it for a good while now… 

You are hardworking, talented and ambitious…You are kind, funny and attentive…You have all 10 fingers…You are well mannered and I find you to be reliable, sensible and considerate… You are clearly a man of vision…Occasionally blurred…Sometimes double…But nonetheless a vision that enabled you to find and win over Allison's and our hearts.  I can say that I haven't totally figured you out though…because despite all your very positive attributes you still claim the colors of Seahawks and Mariners? Just joshing!!

We are looking forward to many fun filled years together with you and Alli.

Insight into the meaning of today… October 13^th

As I was researching material to use in the speech today I came across “This Day in History” information and couldn't help but draw some practical, possible conclusions about the not too distant future… 

On this day in 1825 Walter Hunt patented the safety pin… Part of the process before Pampers…

On this day in 1888 the United States Congress created the Department of Labor…and Delivery…

On this day in 1920 the US Post Office ruled that children may not be sent by parcel post…who would even have an idea like that?… perhaps a Grinch?

On this date in 1930 the first Nudest Colony was opened…My first thought is October? I wonder if it was cold…In today's context I'm reminded that nakedness promotes…Grandchildren…

On this day in 1975 John Lennon made his last TV appearance to sing the hit song “Imagine”… That one day Elaine and Howard will be Grandparents!!!

Finally – on this date in 1986 Kate and Ashley Olsen were born… Twins!!

What else can I say…No Pressure!

Toast

Now it is my pleasant duty to propose a toast to the happy couple…Ladies and gentlemen please rise and raise your glasses…

Jamey & Allison

Here's to the groom with bride so fair…Here's to the bride with groom so rare…

As you walk together along the path God has for you…May you bless and enrich each other's lives…even as you bless and enrich the lives of others.

May you always have enough sunshine to keep your attitudes bright no matter how gray the day may appear.

May you always have enough happiness to keep your spirits alive and everlasting.

May you continue to enjoy the blessings of family and friends to see you through all of life's challenges…

And may heaven bless you both with many, many happy days…

Here's to Alli & Jamey… Mr. and Mrs. Jamey Olmstead!!!