Ladies and Gentlemen.... this is the first speech I've
given since my own wedding almost 30 years ago so you will probably
appreciate that I am a bit rusty at this sort of thing.
Elisabeth and I are very pleased to welcome you all here
today. We appreciate the fact that some of you have traveled long
distances to be with us, but trust that it has all been worthwhile. None
of us will ever forget what a perfect couple Angela and Matt made as they
walked down the aisle.
I cannot think what attracted Matt to Angela.... We
thought we might be stuck with her for ever.... just like her rabbit !!
However, Angela really is a hard working and conscientious young lady, but
more importantly she is loving and caring.
We first met Matt early in 1994 when Angela arranged to
bring him from Keele to spend a week with us. We looked forward to meeting
her new boyfriend. However, things didn't go according to plan as shortly
after they arrived late one Thursday night, Elisabeth and I had to head
north in the early hours of the Friday morning, only to return late on the
Sunday. Then I had to go away on business so I hardly saw Matt at all. Our
first impressions were that he was a very quiet lad.
Anyway, over the last four and a half years we have come
to know Matt well; he too is loving and caring and Elisabeth and I are
delighted to welcome Matt into our family..... Does he realize, however,
that he is not only taking on Angela, but also her two brothers, a
challenge in itself, not to mention her collection of rabbits.
What about Angela! Several unforgettable incidents
spring to mind. There was the time when Graham fed his six month old
sister with marigolds in an effort to stop her crying: he didn't succeed
in getting rid of her then, but he's made certain of it today by ensuring
that Matt takes her off his hands!
Then there was the episode of Angela standing at the top
of the stairs and throwing down a glass tumbler saying, "Catch, Daddy"
.......... Daddy was at the bottom of the stairs, but he caught it.
"Daddy is good at this" she thought....... So on another
occasion she launched herself off the stairs expecting me to catch
her...... Unfortunately I was carrying a cup of tea at the
time.......However, I did get my priorities in the right order, dropped
the cup of tea and caught Angela!
Then there was the time in church one Sunday morning
when, after wandering around the church for a short while, she stood at
the back of the church, called out "Ready, Steady, Go"........and raced
down the aisle, what a difference to the sedate pace of today.
Most of you will know Angela is very strong willed.
There have been many times when she had made up her mind as to what she
wanted.....much against our advice and what we thought would be right for
her.......but each time she proved us wrong.
Angela always worked hard to keep up with her brothers
but ... she did manage to get one thing over them..........she passed her
driving test first time!! I'm not too sure how........ it was also about
this time that I went very grey !
Parents usually expect boys to be untidy, but my
goodness, you should see Angela's bedroom! She managed to outshine them in
this too. I hope she will turn over a new leaf when she moves to Five Oak
Green, otherwise Matt will wonder what has hit him!
Traveling has not always been kind to Angela. From a
very early age she suffered from severe travel sickness.... She is the
only person I know to have turned green on a kiddies' roundabout. Then she
had a jinx on coaches....whether it was a school trip ..or a day out with
the Brownies or Guides, the coach on which they were traveling would
invariably break down ! Not a good omen for someone who was to go on to
study languages at University. However, she was successful and has now
made a career for herself in Offshore investments.
Six months ago today, Angela decided......and Matt
agreed .....on a rather strange pact......they would not eat chocolate
until their wedding day. This has been a valiant effort on their part, but
now Elisabeth and I think Matt has suffered more than enough and therefore
we would like to present him with this bar of chocolate.
As Angela and Matt take this great step forward in their
lives together, Elisabeth and I both feel that we are not losing Angela,
but entrusting her to Matt's good care! Not only have we gained another
son.....but also a computer buff !.....and help desk!
People always say at weddings something like " I hope
their married life will be as happy as my own"... I should like to add to
that. ....I hope their married life will be as happy as my wife has made
my own. For it is a good wife that makes a good marriage........and that
is just what Matt has managed to find.
As some of you will know, Elisabeth works wonders with
an embroidery needle.... Sometimes to mark special occasions.......And
today is no exception. So, we would like to present Angela and Matt with
this embroidery as a permanent memento of this wonderful day.
And now, Ladies and Gentlemen.......may I ask you to
rise and lift your glasses.......as we drink a toast of long life and
great happiness to the bride and groom........To Angela and Matt
