The Reception: Speeches and Songs
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 Jay, the best man, gives his speech
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 Mike gives his speech
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 To everyone’s surprise, Mike and Pat sing
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 Everyone listening to Mike and Pat sing
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 Mike survives his first (and only) public singing experience
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 Tony follows up by singing too (he used to be a professional singer)
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Mike’s Speech
I didn’t write down my speech beforehand, and it wasn’t recorded, so the following is my best attempt to remember what I said.
When Jay agreed to be my best man, he did not see it as a merely honorific role. He asked me two important questions about my upcoming wedding day - to find out how I truly felt about it, and to see what I thought its meaning was.
The first question was - what does this day mean to our family and friends? Not what it means to Maria and I - but to all of you gathered here today. I didn’t have an answer for him right away. After thinking about it, I realized it meant two things. One is that our relationships with all of you have now changed. You have all shared our lives and been close to us for many years. Today Maria and I made an eternal vow to one another, and our identities are now transformed. I am no longer just Michael, and Maria is no longer just Maria. You’ll now think of us truly as a couple - as “Michael and Maria” - or as “Maria and Michael.” We look forward to sharing our future with you.
This day is also important for everyone here because it represents the bringing together of our families. A lot of people make jokes about in-laws, but I don’t buy into that at all. I see this day as one of tremendous growth and happiness for all of us. So, as if I didn’t have enough already, I now have two more parents and one more sister. Maria - I don’t know if you’ve fully realized this - but you now have two more mothers, two more fathers, five more sisters, and two more brothers. So, I offer a toast to the Toyoda, Toppa, Kenny, and Abramson families.
The second question Jay asked me was - what does this day mean to me? This one was easy to answer. Good relationships go through two phases. The first is when you’ve learned enough about someone to know you’re crazy about them, but there’s still a great deal of mystery to intrigue you. You want to hear all their stories - to learn about their families, to hear about their experiences and where they’ve been. To learn who they are. The second phase is very different but just as wonderful. It is one of calm, reassuring love; a love that’s almost palpable. You can feel it simply being in a room quietly together. This is the love that endures for a lifetime.
What’s been so wonderful about my relationship with Maria is that we are not only experiencing the second part, but the first has never ended. Every day I wake up and am amazed and fascinated. What will she accomplish today? What new stories will she have to tell? [I got a bit choked up here and didn't quite know how to finish, except to raise my glass and say…] Maria, I love you very much.
Another thing that’s been so wonderful is that every day Maria inspires me to be more than I was the day before. To always be willing to try new things, to go new places, and to not be afraid. I can think of no better demonstration of that than what I’m about to do right now…with the able assistance of my step-mother Pat…
Pat and I sang the first half of a Big Country song called “The Sailor”. This was the first time I ever sang in front of a crowd. I spent the summer learning how to sing so I could do this. It was definitely worth it!
The Sailor
What would you be if the waves set you free
And the wind in your hair brought you sailing to me
Tied up on shore would you weary no more
When will it be
When will it be
What would I be if a hurricane came
Would I be clever
Would I be shamed
Would I lie helpless cast up on the flame
What will I be
What will I be
CHORUS
I will be here forever
‘Til the river runs into the sea
I will always be silent and hold my head up
‘Til we will be sailors no more
Where would we go
To the sand or the snow
Wander in memories or let them all go
And would we be dreamers
Helplessly so
Where would we go
Where would we go
REPEAT CHORUS TWICE
