Best Man Speech
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So for those of you who don't know me,
I'm Jabo's younger brother
formerly known as his little brother.
I've grown out of that
I think actually I was promoted
when he started wearing my hand-me-downs
First I'd like to thank Katie's parents Leah and Scott
for all that y'all have done getting this wedding together
and allowing us all to be here
sharing in this joyous occasion
I'd like to also thank my parents James and Susan
sitting over there. For all that they've done
assisting as well for this wedding and
putting on the rehearsal dinner last night.
Now my brother and I,
have not always gotten along
but he's always been there for me.
Through thick and thin,
no matter what happened,
he's always been there for me.
He was there for me when
we were in our car wreck
when I was younger and I
had to be fed liquids through a straw.
He was actually the one
who got the Gatorade squirt bottle
to do so for me.
It's a lot easier, if anybody's had
their jaw wired shut or anything
close to that, I didn't but it's
a lot easier if you have a squirt
bottle rather than a straw.
He was there for me...
...*sniffle*...Sorry.
He was there for me
and stood up for me
when I was being
picked on at basketball camp.
He was there for me when I was
becoming the man of the house.
Even from a thousand miles away.
I know as much as he has
been there for me through life;
he will also be there for his new bride.
Supporting her and her dreams.
Lifting her up in
when she is down
and wiping away her tears
in times of sorrow.
Jabo taught me to
love the outdoors
and always practice hard
as if you were playing
in an actual game.
This is my daughter Jemma.
And to always give 110%
effort at everything that you do.
...*Sniffle*...
These are lessons I know
he will also pass along to
his future kids and I can't
wait to see them grow together
as a couple and one day a family
Now I have a letter. A very old
handwritten letter. Something that
is hard to come by nowadays.
This particular letter is special to me.
You can tell that because my ADHD
hasn't caused me to lose it
these past 13 years.
This is a letter from a Marine
to his brother.
It details the first contact I had with Jabo
since he had been deployed.
Bare with me for a minute.
It's not going to be too long.
He writes in very big words (handwriting).
[audience laughter]
It says "Hey bud
I'm sorry we didn't get to see
each other..."
My hand is shaking too.
"I'm sorry we didn't get to see each other
before we left
but I really think it was a
good idea for you to go to Hawaii.
If I didn't I wouldn't have
told you to go because I only
want the best for you.
I know I haven't always
been there for you
and I'm sorry..."
...*Sniffle*...
"but I want you to know
that I'm really proud of you
and I love you.
When I get back,
no matter what, I'm going
to watch you play Football."
That didn't happen but that was...
[audience laughter]
He would have been
but I got injured
so that's my own fault.
"and if you want to still
you and I can go coyote hunting.
Have fun this school year and I love you!"
Groom: "I don't even remember
writing that."
Best Man: "You might not have.
but I received it."
That's my brother.
That's how caring and considerate
he can be.
With everything else going on.
With all sorts of things on his mind.
He took the time to make sure
I knew that he was still there
for me. Even when he was
a thousand miles away.
And actually at that point I think he
was 8,000 miles away.
I think he was in
Afghanistan at that point.
On top of this letter
I have something else, surprisingly,
that I held onto for all of these years.
For those of you who've seen
me outside of this tux.
You've likely seen the cross
I wear around my neck.
I've worn a cross every day
since I was baptized at 13.
For a short time the cross
wasn't alone around my neck.
I wore a pair of dog tags
around my neck as well
every day that Jabo was deployed
I prayed constantly while
he was oversees.
Holding my cross and
the dog tags close to my heart.
Praying that my brother
would come home alive.
Katie... I have a gift for you
As my new sister and
love of my brother's life;
I can't think of anyone
better to deliver this gift
other than a MARSOC Marine
who fought side by side with Jabo
in Afghanistan
[standing ovation]
I'm not done yet
[audience laughter]
Now it's time to pass
these on to my new sister, Katie.
Katie I give these dog tags
to you as a symbol.
A symbol to remind you
that even in times of war
times of sorrow and despair.
There is always a sliver of hope
that can be held onto.
That hope will shine brighter within you
the closer you are to God.
I ask that when times get tough
in your marriage,
trust me they will,
[audience laughter]
that you remember these dog tags
and the prayers that were spoken
over them so many years ago.
I ask that you yourself
pray over them and pray over your marriage
asking God for guidance.
Jabo...the advice I have for you
is simple.
Actions speak louder than words
but remember words hold meaning to.
Think before you speak.
Mean what you say.
An apology can't always take back
what you said and the pain that it caused.
Never take this relationship
or your new wife for granted.
Cherish her, love her, and protect her.
With that, I wish you both
a long and loving marriage.
I love you guys!