Who ever said high school sweethearts don't last never met my friend Michael and Mai and Patrick's friend Richard and Binh. Not only are they each other soul's mates but they are also each other best friends. Both couples got married this past Saturday -- with me being a bridemaid at Mai's wedding and Patrick's as the best man for Richard's.
I knew Michael since grammar school and Mai since high school --- and to see them get together and tied the knot was a special moment. They wanted a small personal wedding -- and they sure got it. They even invited their grammar schoool teacher (who did attended and made a touching speech)!! I never been to a wedding in which I cried so many times ... (during the traditional tea ceremony, vows, and all the great toasts/speeches). What made this wedding extra special was the fact that I knew the entire bridal party since high school. We were all able to sit with the Bride and Groom during the reception too (the American seating vs. Chinese seating). That was the personal touch for me -- being able to sit with the couple during their happiest hours.
Though the day was EXHAUSTING (waking up at 5am) .... it was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience. As Frankson said in his speech: "Being able to attend a close friend wedding is a blessing... but to be part of TWO special friends marriage is momentous."
Cheers to the happy couples!!!
PATRICK UPDATE:
I did my exhausting wedding stuff as well. We had our ceremony at NW Baptist church and my legs are still aching from all the standing. You would figure that since my profession requires me to stand this would be easy--- not for me. As I mentioned in my speech, i will have a transcript of the BEST MAN speech in the comments section. Please feel free to leave any comments on it.
Wedding was extremely exhausting, but I am glad that they finally got married. I wish them the best with their life together.
THE BEST MAN SPEECH (Binh and Richard)
by Patrick Louie
Hi,
Id like to say a few words.
I’m sure that a lot of people have heard the phrase “The journey is more enjoyable that the destination.” This journey has just begun for this couple who met in high school, went to pharmacy school and bought a house together. And now they continue this journey as a married couple.
For the people who don’t know me my name is Patrick and I’ve been best friends with Richard since high school. As for the people who do know me, “My name is still Patrick don’t wear it out.”
I’d like to remember those years in high school before Richard and binh the ”BB-Binh” years. High school years were confusing times where we tried to find out what we wanted to do for the rest of our lives. And during the Year 2 BB, I was lucky to find a friendship with Richard. He was the new transfer-IN student from Utah, who’s family was probably the only Asians in that state.
He was a quick learner in class and his high grades were just as good as mine. Just as…
I know, it’s hard to believe.
During those times, we did a lot of things together.
We practiced kendo, played video games, found excuses to get out of classes, and even in between we found time to actually study. We hung out soo much that our names soon got mixed up and I was known as Patrick Dang and he as Richard Louie.
We thought we were invincible and could do anything.
After high school we had to face reality and find careers that suited us. And even by chance we’d be lucky to find the one that we would spend the rest of our lives with. We found that we weren’t quite as invincible as we thought. There was one weakness. The weakness being in here---
Richard was lucky, he found Binh. He found someone to fill that hole of weakness within him. Together they were invincible. Everything the world had to throw at them.—they prevailed. She stuck with him through the tough and good… and believe me there was A LOT of tough going on in his life. Her love was a thing that kept him going thru those years. I envy that he found someone so soon and that forever together started so early.
Richard. I know pharmacy was not our first choices in careers but it will be a good distraction until our first novels become published. As you already know you’re invincible again. During this 10th year of “Together with Binh” and you still have this love that will defeat all.
Binh. I’d like to let you know that as I call Richard my brother I’d extend the same to you as my sister. If you need anything like a cup of sugar feel free to walk down the block.
Let me be the first to toast this couple and bid them on their way to a healthy marriage with many children. And who is to know… Patrick Dang has a nice ring to boy of yours…
BTW
Transcripts of this speech as well as pictures of this wedding will be available at www.lifeisadrug.com