Speech by Stanley Algoo

Speech Type: Father of the bride/groom
Speech Creator: Stanley Algoo
Speech Date: Aug2005
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, FAMILY AND FRIENDS,GOOD AFTERNOON.
FOR THOSE WHO KNOW ME I HAVE THE PROUD DISTINCTION OF BEING FATHER OF THE BRIDE. FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW ME…COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS.
FIRST OF ALL I WOULD LIKE ON BEHALF OF THE MOTHER OF THE BRIDE (SALLY) & MYSELF TO WELCOME THE MEMBERS OF OUR FAMILY AND THE MEMBERS OF DIEGO'S FAMILY; AND FRIENDS OF BOTH FAMILIES, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO HAVE TRAVELLED LONG DISTANCES BY LAND, SEA AND AIR, TO BE WITH US TODAY.
I WOULD LIKE PARTICULARLY TO THANK THE MOTHER OF THE BRIDE FOR THE PATIENCE, ENDURANCE, ENCOURAGEMENT, STEADFASTNESS AND THE MARVELLOUS JOB SHE HAS DONE OVER ALL THE YEARS FOR US, HER FAMILY AND ESPECIALLY IN BRINGING NADIA TO THIS POINT IN HER LIFE. LIKE MANY BRIDES SHE WENT THROUGH PURGATORY TO MAKE OUR MARRIAGE WORK. HEAVEN KNOWS MY ROLE IN MY DAUGHTER'S LIFE WAS PERIPHERAL AT BEST. AND IF SHE WERE A DIFFERENT GENDER AND A MASSIVE, STEROID POPPING AND SUCCESSFUL FOOTBALLER INTERVIEWED ON TV, SHE WOULD BE SAYING “HI MOM” NOT “HI DAD”.
IT IS SAID THAT YOU CAN BE A PAL TO A SON BUT YOU HAVE TO BE A FATHER TO A DAUGHTER. AS MOST OF YOU KNOW, NOBODY TEACHES YOU TO BE A PARENT, EXCEPT YOUR CHILD. WHEN YOU TAKE POSSESSION OF THAT INFANT AND REALISE YOU HAVE TOTAL RESPONSIBILITY, 24/7, THE PANIC CAN SET IN. BUT YOUR CHILD SOON REASSURES YOU WITH COMPLETE IGNORANCE OF YOUR MINIMUM PARENTAL SKILL SET, NEVER QUESTIONING AND ALWAYS TRUSTING IN YOUR OMNISCIENCE AND OMNIPOTENCE (UNTIL THE TEENAGE YEARS THAT IS), AND ALWAYS READY TO COMFORT YOU WITH A TOOTHLESS SMILE.
IT IS THE ONLY TIME IN YOUR LIFE THAT YOU WILL SMILE WITH NO TEETH AND LOOK SO GOOD! AT THAT POINT IN LIFE, THE INFANT STILL REMEMBERS THE FETAL POSITION AND IS EQUALLY ADEPT AT SUCKING A THUMB OR A TOE WHILE GURGLING AT HER DAD AND MAKING HIS SPIRIT SOAR. OUR CHILDREN ENDOW US WITH SO MANY ROLES AND ENABLE US TO BE FATHERS, TEACHERS,COUNSELLERS, COMFORTERS… NADIA I THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING A FATHER. I LOOK FORWARD TO THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING A GRAND FATHER.
AND SO THE TIME SLIPS AWAY AND THE CHILD SLIPS AWAY TO START HER OWN FAMILY. AND YOU MUST FIND THE SKILL TO RELINQUISH THE PROPRIETARY YEARS YOU HAVE OWNED EXCLUSIVELY AND EXCHANGE THEM FOR A SHARE IN THE YEARS TO COME, AS SHE FORGES A LARGER RELATIONSHIP WITH TWO FAMILIES INSTEAD OF ONE. SHE LOOKS TO YOU FOR SUPPORT IN THE CHALLENGES THAT LIE AHEAD. I HAVE EVERY CONFIDENCE IN NADIA'S ABILITIES TO SUCCEEED IN THIS AS I HAVE WATCHED HER GROW FROM WOBBLY TODDLER, MASTERING GRAVITY, AVOIDING THE PERILS OF EVERY JAGGED PIECE OF HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE, TO EXPERT WEDDING ORGANIZER; BRINGING ALL THE DISPARATE LOGISTICAL ELEMENTS OF TODAY'S CELEBRATION, TO A SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION. I HAVE NO RESERVATION OF THE QUALITY OF HELPMATE THAT DIEGO HAS ACQUIRED TODAY. I ASK THAT HE CONTINUE TO CHERISH AND SUPPORT HER AS THEY BUILD THEIR LIVES TOGETHER. I CONGRATULATE AND THANK THE FRIENDS WHO RALLIED TO NADIA'S CALL IN PUTTING TODAY'S SPLENDID OCCASION TOGETHER. THERE IS NO SECRET TO A HAPPY MARRIAGE. NADIA AND DIEGO WILL HAVE TO WORK AT IT LIKE THE REST OF US. HOPEFULLY THEIR FRIENDS WILL CONTINUE THEIR SUPPORT OF THIS COUPLE AS THEY SEEK TO BLEND INTO A CONJUGAL UNISON.
A WEDDING BRINGS TOGETHER TWO PEOPLE AND TWO FAMILIES. IT REAFFIRMS THE GRAND CYCLE OF NATURE. IT REFRESHES THE CONJUGAL RELATIONSHIPS THAT HAVE GONE STALE AND ADDSYOUTH AND PROMISE TO THE FUTURE. IT RENEWS AND REVIVES THE HUMAN SPIRIT WITH THE EXPECTATION OF HOPE AND NEW LIFE. AND WE THANK NADIA AND DIEGO FOR BRINGING THESE GIFTS TO US TODAY.
SHAKESPEARE SAID THAT BREVITY IS THE SOUL OF WIT AND SINCE I DO NOT WISH TO BE WITLESS I WOULD LIKE TO END BY QUOTING SOME OF THE LYRICS FROM THE SONG SUNRISE, SUNSET, FROM THE MUSICAL FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. IT CAPTURES THE FEELINGS OF BOTH DIEGO'S AND OUR FAMILY… FOR THE ONCE LITTLE GIRL AND THE ONCE LITTLE BOY WE SEE HERE TODAY.

Sunrise, Sunset
Is this the little girl I carried?
Is this the little boy at play?

I don't remember growing older
When did they?

When did she get to be a beauty?
When did he get to be so tall?

Wasn't it yesterday
When they were small?

Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset
Swiftly flow the days.
Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers
Blossoming even as we gaze.

Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset
Swiftly fly the years.
One season following another
Laden with happiness and tears.

What words of wisdom can I give them?
How can I help to ease their way?

Now they must learn from one another
Day by day.

FINALLY I'D LIKE NOW TO PROPOSE A TOAST TO THE BRIDE AND GROOM, SO IF EVERYONE WOULD BE UPSTANDING AND RAISE THEIR GLASSES PLEASE:
WHEN CHILDREN FIND TRUE LOVE,
PARENTS FIND TRUE JOY.
HERE'S TO YOUR LOVE AND OUR JOY,
FROM THIS DAY FORWARD
TO NADIA AND DIEGO!