A Wedding Toast--Father of the Bride

I have been joining the Golden Ladies' Study Group for a few months. With the encouragement from Sherry, I tried to adopt Laura Yeager's sample speech to write a blessing toast as my first contribution to the study group. Harry Fang, the bridegroom in my speech, is the Council Governor 1999~2000 and the recycled President of Legacy TMC 2006~2007. The bride, Lydia Lin, is from YMIC TMC and is also one of our study group members .

Good evening, everyone, I want to welcome you all to Lydia and Harry's wedding party. Thank you for coming, and I want to give my heartfelt thanks to those who came from the States, Canada, and HK. Your participation has made this event very memorable.

Words are not enough to say how excited I am that Lydia and Harry found each other. My son-in-law Harry is a wonderful young man. He is intelligent, well educated, determined, and hard working. Most importantly, he is caring. He has a great reputation among his friends and colleagues, and has won their respect, not only for his successful business, but also for his care for people. Lydia, my beloved daughter, working in a liaison office of an international import/export company, has a lot of qualities similar to Harry. They both pursue self-improvement and met in Toastmasters, a non-profit educational organization, where they learnt how to open their ears to listen, open their hearts to each other.

Lydia, my sweetheart, I remember how naughty and cute you were as a little girl. You loved to wear a bed sheet as a robe to pretend to be a princess. When you were 10 years, one of your homework assignments was to grow silkworms. I can never forget the astonishment on your face when you found yourself sitting on those lovely creatures because of your carelessness. Honey, your dream of a princess has come true. You will build a kingdom with Harry together. You will have a lot of happiness and memories to share with each other. Later, you will have happy hours observing the growth of silkworms with your children, but honey, don't forget to caution my grandchildren not to sit on silkworms!

Now, here is just a little advice for both of you before we drink a toast. Marriage is a life-long lesson. In Corinthians 13:4-6, "Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or pound; love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable, love does not keep a record of wongs; love is not happy with evil, but is happy with the truth." Other than love, there are responsibilities and patience. There is no shortcut to manage a successful marriage. You are a lucky couple as you can learn from many role models like Uncle George Yen and Auntie Jorie Wu, and many lovely couples in Toastmasters.

So, all of your relatives and friends have come from far and wide. Every corner of Taiwan is sharing in your happiness. Without further ado, let's raise a glass and toast Harry and Lydia.

May your home be a sweet and peaceful one.
May God make many miracles in your lives
May you always be grateful for what our Lord has given you.

To Lydia and Harry!

kate