Speech by Richard Cowles

Speech Type: Father of the bride/groom
Speech Creator: Richard Cowles
Speech Date: 02/06/2015 01:57:59

For those of you who don't know me, I'm Rich Cowles, Erin's dad, and I have the pleasure of being the “clean up hitter” and the last of those making toasts.

I've got to admit, I'm a bit nervous today. Now, I have am used to public speaking, but I'm used to talking about neonicotinoids and bees, and not about the union of two families through blessed marriage.  I'd like to give special recognition to the grandparents present today, Mary Jane and John Hoare, and Dolores and Merrill Hinkemeyer.  Without them, we wouldn't be here today.  Speaking of family, I regret that my parents are rather elderly and decided that travel would be too difficult to come to this wedding.  My dad is 91, and my mother 88.  In honor of them, though, I thought you all might like to know that the tuxedo I am wearing today is the same one my dad wore at their wedding in 1947.  Erin and Matt, now there's an example that will take a long time to live up to.

On behalf of Liz and me, and also of Matt's family, I would like to welcome you all and thank you for coming to celebrate Erin and Matt's big day.

I'd also like to thank everyone who's helped to prepare for this wedding.  You've all played your part to make the day possible.  Anyone who knows Erin as well as I do can be assured that everything has worked smoothly due to her uncanny organization skills and in making sure that everybody was doing their job.

Now it's traditional at this point, for me to share some stories about the bride, but don't worry Erin, I promise that I won't embarrass you in my speech. Your mother and I will just go from table to table later and tell as many embarrassing stories as we can remember.  Honestly, though, I cannot remember you ever being an embarrassment, rather, you were almost always a model of good behavior as an infant, child, and growing into the beautiful young woman you are today. 

There is an archaic notion that the bride's father gives away his daughter.  Your mother and I were a little bit sad when we finally had an empty nest, but it's been empty long enough that we've grown to enjoy our situation.  What I'm trying to say, Matt, is that by giving Erin away, it is sort of like a game of tag, and you are now “it”.   

Matt, you have really been “it,” and “The One” for Erin when you first gave her a love note written in Latin.  Only at a University would true love be brought about through a dead language. With Liz and me, we really met through studying calculus together!

Erin, not everyone here knows you.  Besides possessing beauty and intelligence, your new family will soon learn what an unusually empathic young woman you are.  Caring for others and how they feel is rare in a world where people have their eyes glued to their little smart phones.  Matt's family is truly blessed by this addition to their clan.  It's a perfect occasion for your mother and I to say how much we love you, that we are very proud of you and we couldn't wish for a better daughter.

And now we come to Matt.  You know, Matt, I find it very easy to get along with you, it is almost as though you have been family since we first met.  I have joked with you about how in fairy tales the suitor is given quests to fulfill to prove their worth to win the princess.  In your case, these tests have been rather unusual:  flipping a cement well cover for an opportunity to see how I would react when it broke my thumb, climbing up a tree on ropes, digging a trench in the back yard, and wood splitting at my parent's house have all proved that you are crazy enough to join our family.

Neither of you will ever be perfect, but you can be a perfect match for each other. A successful marriage is not about finding a person you can live with, but finding a person that you can't live without: I know that you've found that with each other.  As I always have said, it's not the wedding that is important, it is the marriage.

Well, you've suffered me for long enough so I'll sit down.  But before I do that, I would like to propose a toast…

Here's to the past, for all that you've learned.

Here's to the present, for all that you share.

Here's to the future, for all that you look forward to together.

Can you all please stand, raise your glasses and join me in a toast to the Bride & Groom.