Heath's Wedding

We attended my cousin's wedding the other weekend at the Portland Scottish Rite (Interior Pano Pics: 1, 2). I served as best man, my girlfriend was the maid of honor, and my son was the ring bearer. As you can imagine we were very busy helping them prepare for the wedding, and more importantly the bachelor party. The groomsmen rented Tuxes from A Formal Affair, and unfortunately we didn't get lessons on tying a bow tie beforehand. Fortunately a family friend rescued the day and lent us a hand. As best man, I also had the duty of preparing and delivering a toast. I didn't print off my speech before hand, so I gave it off the cuff, and as such the actual delivery varied, but it was pretty close to my original write-up below:

For those of you who don't know me, I'm Brian, Heath's cousin and best man. I would like to say that I truly consider it an honor to serve as Heath's best man. Even though the two of us have been cousins our entire lives, it wasn't until I moved down to Portland and we lived together off an on, that we've become best friends and brothers.

Heath and I have been close all our lives. And I have to tell you, some of my fondest childhood memories include the two of us hanging out. Of course most visits to Heath's house were spent helping him organize, catalog, and polish his G.I. Joe collection. No matter how many times I tried, I could never talk Heath into taking them outside to play in the mud. That's why my childhood toys were destroyed long ago, and he still has that collection sitting on display in his home office. Heath has taken great care of those toys over the years, and that has taken great determination, love, and attention. Now, Karen may not be a multi-posable military action figure, but she is definitely Heath's most prized treasure. So I know he will give her even greater love, care, and attention as he moves forward in life with Karen, as husband and wife.

Together they make a great team, and I'm happy that they have decided to make a life together.

Would you all join me in a toast to my cousin Heath, and Karen his new bride.

It was a great wedding and was good to see all of my family and friends in one place. Congratulations Heath!