Angelina & Nate - SPEECH

Good evening folks, thank y'all for coming out from near and far to be here and witness two lovely people on their special day. At this time please note that while phones are fine to have out, let's please be mindful of the photographer and make sure our phones aren't blocking somebody else's view of the lovely couple up front. So with that said, let's all be sure to be sure to bend our knees, take deep breaths, and smile a whole lot. 

My name is Jon, I've known these two for a good little while, particularly Nathan because he would come to my house, wolf down pizza and clomp around upstairs with my little brother a decade ago... Which is absolutely wild to say. Parents, older siblings, I know you'll understand this - it's always so.. interesting bearing witness to people growing up. Anxiety inducing and exciting, because there's just so much life left for them to live- through the highs and the lows. But fortunately for us, that gentleness that has always been part of Nathan's MO never left- and we see the fruits of it today. 

These two passed each other a number of times before finally formally meeting in the fall of 2020. Angelina travelled up to Arkansas to visit some of the very same hooligans that are up on stage today. Nathan caught her eye the moment she saw him- "funny and mysterious" she said. For the rest of that trip she made every effort to be near him, whether going for drinks or sitting in the same car. But what she didn't know, was that this story started years before. 

You see, they shared a calculus class in high school where Nathan sat 4 rows behind her. And he had a crush on her ever since. Their paths continued to cross through overlapping friend groups but of course, the timing never seemed to be right... until it was. 

During the Covid lockdown, when the whole world went into hibernation, we found ourselves locked up in homes and using our phones more than ever to connect. But somehow it provided the perfect environment for Nathan and Angelina's love to find it's footing. Group game nights led to late night conversations when the rest had gone off to sleep, talking well into the morning hours. Fast forward to that following January when Angelina so aptly said, "You know you are supposed to ask someone out in order to date them, right?" And here we are today, folks. 

That said, I had the couple send me a little bit about what they love about each other and received the following:

• From Angelina 
• something that I love about being with Nathan is how special how makes me feel (as cheesy as it sounds). He always includes me in everything; whether it's golfing, bowling or gaming. He's charismatic, charming, not to mention hilarious. I just feel so grateful to have someone in my life that loves me for who I am. I love doing life with him and I wouldn't have it any other way. 
• Now from Nathan 
• other than her being the the most beautiful human ever, what I really loves is that we both think alike and enjoy the same things. She brings out a side of me that is comfortable, honest and fully myself. We never get bored of each other, and she supports me through thick and thin. She is the most driven person I know, working hard for what she wants out of life. Working full time while getting a forensic science masters was, and I quote, "insane to me." I realized this even more so once I pursued a masters of my own. She is the best cat mom ever and Nathan is excited for how wonderful she will one day be for their children. All that's left is to move to the mountains and start a beautiful family. 

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Here's a little thing I wrote some some time ago that I think applies here:

 The first step toward your own path is the hardest. It's colder. Legs feel shaky, born into this new reality you're forced to traverse. Change and growth are hard. But with time, the steps will feel natural. The old pieces left suspended in time from past mistakes carve out something sweeter… Or maybe kinder, if we're willing to see it all through. And we pray that we see it through- through all the nights on docks, drinking wine and staring up at Texas constellations, through the late cruises, the shaking hands with mothers and befriending wary older brothers, all of it. We shake the ice at the bottom of yet another glass of liquor and swear to ourselves that it all must mean something. God I hope it does.
Wisdom is knowing that love is much more like a sun-shower than a breezy, bright spring morning. All of the right pieces must align atop another, with just enough room here and there for it all to fall into place. And wherever that rain begins to fall through sunbeams, as if that weren't enough, you've also got to be standing right there at the center of it, not an exit too soon or a minute too late- looking up feeling it for yourself.
And if you’re extra extra lucky, that feeling will be enough. 

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Now, the bad news is that relationships take a lot of work. But the good news, is that it's always worth it. And I know you're up for the task. 

I'm freshly married myself but something my wife and I have always said is "forever will never be enough." Life will come at you with a whole slew of trips and obligations that always seem to do anything but allow you time to sit with your partner. I don't know that there's any way around that. A lifetime flies by all too fast and I don't know that we'll ever truly feel that we had "enough time" with our loved ones before their days are over. But let's take solace in knowing that if there was ever a shot at it, something as beautiful as marriage might just be the only way. So, never wait for that other shoe to drop - because sometimes good things are just that good. I pray that in your time together you will continue to smile with every tooth as the years go by and your hair turns gray. That you will store good memories away and keep them safe, like a rainy day fund, so that the tough times in life can never push you into the red. And I pray that we all get to bear witness to it as you two live beautifully. 
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So at this time, I would like to begin the exchanging of the vows.... Heads up Nathan, you will go first.
Vows are the audible expressions of what those wedding rings express physically. They're not only symbols of your faithfulness and commitment to one another, but also reminders of this day, and all the days prior - promises bound in gold (or silver). 

Nathan, please repeat after me:

Angelina, I take you as you are, loving who you are now and who you are yet to become. I promise to listen to you and learn from you, to support you and to accept your support. I will celebrate your triumphs and mourn your losses as though they were my own. I will love you and have faith in your love for me. Nathan, please place the ring on Angelina's finger. 

And Angelina, now for your vows:

Nathan, I take you as you are, loving who you are now and who you are yet to become. I promise to listen to you and learn from you, to support you and to accept your support. I will celebrate your triumphs and mourn your losses as though they were my own. I will love you and have faith in your love for me. Angelina, please place the ring on Nathan's finger. 

Nathan and Angelina, please join hands.

Do you, Nathan, take Angelina to be your lawfully wedded wife? (I do)

Do you, Angelina, take Nathan to be your lawfully wedded husband? (I do)

Nathan and Angelina, by the power vested in me in accordance with the laws and regulations set forth by the state of Texas, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Nathan, you may kiss your bride. 

Ladies and gentleman, it is my honor to present to you the newly married couple: Mr. and Mrs. Nathan and Angelina Goodwin!

God bless y'all!