Christina and Will’s Wedding: My Matron of Honor Speech
Quite a few people have asked to see video from my matron of honor speech at Christina and Will’s wedding. Unfortunately… that won’t be happening. The video is split in three parts, and one part is completely fuzzy, and parts of the speech are cut out, too. But I have it written out, so you can read it! Watching long videos is annoying anyway! Um… right?!
As I had mentioned, I was having a stupid-hard time deciding what to talk about. I just had so many thoughts swirling around in my head and couldn’t focus in on one. I didn’t want to make it all about my relationship with Christina (and not much about Will), but I did want to talk about it! Luckily, I happened to glance at a photo page I have of the two of us on the blog*, and all of these memories came flooding to me that supported a major theme I was thinking about touching on.
So, here it is! Parts in italics were not spoken… and links and pics added for fun!
Good Evening! For those of you who don’t know me, I am Kim, Christina’s favorite (and only) sister. I have to say, I’ve been looking forward to Christina and Will’s wedding since she interrupted my sleep with an 11:30 pm phone call two years ago in January to tell me Will proposed (so thankful to have so much documented on my blog!). And I am sure all of the women here can agree – if your proposal included a wedding ring in with a box with delicious cupcakes, you are off to a wonderful future.
But in all the times I imagined how wonderful the day would be, I still couldn’t imagine it as perfect and gorgeous as it is. I can’t put into words how much it warms my heart to see so many friends and family out here, celebrating Christina and Will. It’s been amazing to get to know so many of you while we prepared for the wedding. Thank you for being here, and showing your love and support for this beautiful couple.
Now, since I am Christina’s older sister, I have an arsenal of amazing stories I could share with you. Amazingly cute… amazingly funny… amazingly embarrassing. It was hard to cut so many of them out of this speech, so if you want to hear more, come find me on the dance floor, later. Only one person asked me on the dance floor to share an embarrassing story.
Almost every story I thought of sharing went back to one major theme – Christina’s sense of adventure and her desire to share that with other people. Now, I have to say, our “adventures” were a bit on the tame side until one of us had a pair of wheels, but after that, all bets were off.
I have very fond memories with Christina. The trips we took to Chicago together. The time she accompanied me to my college town to take care of some things and just hang out. The time that Dad let us skip school to go see a Star Wars movie in the middle of the day (cool points to my dad – he drove us and saw it, too). This mention apparently has made my oldest nephew tell his dad he is skipping the first day of school to see a movie. Oops. Also, he yelled out during this part of the speech and I mentioned Star Wars is better than Grease which is an inside thing I should have kept to myself. Our adventures in Italy together. Countless trips to the Mississippi River on the Iowa border… and countless mischief there.
And… it was actually at the Mississippi River, that I met Will. Now, I don’t know if it’s normal to be introduced to your girlfriend’s family by spending a long weekend with them, but hey. It seemed to have worked! We all immediately hit it off with Will, and could see why Christina is so drawn to him. Maybe it had to do with his looks, too? Ha ha.
Whenever I describe Will’s personality to other people, the first descriptor I always use is charismatic – but with the qualifier “not in a creepy sales person way!” Thankfully people laughed at that! Will is easy going, laid back, a fantastic story teller, and also, a fantastic listener. I don’t know if he’s just polite, or if he’s actually really interested in what I have to say, but anytime I share something with him, I feel like I’m talking to a true friend who has my best interest in mind.
So back to that first weekend when we met Will. It was fourth of July weekend and I had decided to run a local 5K, and everyone in the family jumped in to do the walking portion of the 5K. This is when I knew Will shared that same sense of adventure and desire to jump in and experience things, that Christina does. Also, he proved his sense of adventure by partaking in the man made waterslide… the one I used and sprained the tendons in my right wrist.
insert awkward joke here of me stumbling on the second page of paper and promising that I am almost done with my speech
And since then, we’ve had countless adventures with Christina and Will. It really meant a lot to me when they came out to New York City in 2011 to spectate while I ran the marathon. I mean, if I didn’t know before, I truly knew then, that Will was a keeper. And I’ve always wanted to repay them for the spectating they did for me, but I never knew when to do it, until now! So can we all cheer them on?! Me and two the bridesmaids held up the signs below. There was lots of cheering, which made me happy.
And actually, this isn’t the first chance I’ve had to cheer Will on. He didn’t think twice before answering yes when I asked if he wanted to do a half ironman relay with me and my husband’s brother. And don’t worry, we do non-exercise things too, like dress up in ridiculous costumes for Halloween! I pulled out some pirate hats to put on their heads. It was Rachel‘s idea to add the signs and bring the hats. Thank you, Rachel! That was really fun!
And it’s been so fun for me to see Christina and Will take off on adventures of their own – like the time they went to Cancun and I was oh so helpful by dropping them off at the completely wrong terminal at the airport. Oops. But really, I have LOVED hearing about what they are up to in Kansas City. It seems they are always exploring some new place, or kayaking or playing volleyball, or building something together.
I love that they share their passion for adventure with their friends and family – so, hey, if we bump in to each other on the dance floor, I may ask YOU to share a story. And I love that they share that passion, and really, their passion for life, with one another. They are the perfect partner for each other, and I don’t know about you, but I am super excited to see what their next adventure is!
So here is to Christina and Will, as they move on to the next big thing, and promise to love each other every moment of forever (I had to include something Twilight related since that’s her fave!)! Cheers!
I can’t wait to see Christina and Will next weekend and see what sort of crazy adventures we’ll have!
*That really needs to be updated!
Themocracy
Awh! <3 It makes me happy to read it!!! Definitely bookmarking this! You're the best!!!
Thanks! I am happy it makes you happy. It was fun to write this post and add links and pics and what not. 🙂
I’m all teary…best MoH speech evah. (and mad props to Rachel….the signs and hats were BRILLIANT!)
That was a brilliant idea, Rachel!
And you wrote an amazing speech, Kim.
Thank you! And I am really happy I shared it with Rachel. I had a note in my draft after the Halloween mention that said “add something here” and she built off of that.
Aww, thank you! 🙂
I absolutely love it!!!! You managed to hit all the key emotions. Way to go! 🙂
Thanks!
Awwwwww! I love this! You and Christina are lucky to have each other as sisters.
Thank you! I definitely feel that way! 🙂
Awesome speech. The signs are priceless!
Thanks! I was giggling so hard when I made the signs the night before!!!! 🙂
Yay!!! You wrote such a great, heartfelt speech. It looks like everyone enjoyed it.
I love the pictures of you and Chris when you were little! Adorable. I can’t wait to meet her and Will in a couple weekends!
Thanks! And thanks for proof reading and all your help! It was a huge confidence boost! 🙂
And thanks 🙂 I think you will appreciate this pic which shows what we are wearing!!! http://ilaxstudio.com/K&C27_blank.jpg Crazy Cat Ladies in Training!!!
I was just telling Bobbi this am how excited I am for you to meet them! We’re going to have so much fun in KC!!!!
Awww, that was fantastic!
Love this!
So beautiful. 🙂 But I’m still secretly hoping my sister elopes so I don’t have to do any of this stuff. lol
Hahah I LOVE the signs you broke out in the middle of the speech! That’s so awesome!
Wow, amazing job! The signs are hysterical.
Aww, this is really good!
perfection. loved every word.
Whoa, you did a great job with that speech! (And I liked all the italicized side notes that you shared on your blog.) I royally messed up the only MOH speech I’ve ever had to give, so I’m kind of bummed about it. If I ever get asked again, I’ll look to yours for inspiration because it was so good!
Thank you!
What happened?! Was this last summer? 🙁
Thanks for sending me this link! What a beautiful speech! Props are always a plus. Kudos and nice job!!!