Today, my little brother is getting married. It’s hard to believe it’s here! We’re excited for Cameron and Nicole and can’t wait to welcome her into the family…officially. Here’s my Best Man’s Speech which I shared last night at the Rehearsal Dinner:
Cameron and Nicole,
Late in the summer of 2011, after camp had ended for the summer, Cameron and I went to a Flying Squirrels game. Sitting behind home plate, I remember Cameron spending a lot of time on his phone. After a few innings of this constant phone checking, I leaned back and glanced over, and at the top of the text message saw, “Nicole.” A few innings later, I casually asked, “So who’s Nicole?” I didn’t get much of an answer.
It wasn’t long before we met Nicole and a year later, Cameron, you were moving to North Carolina to go to school, but were deciding between Winston-Salem and Durham. Somewhere, in the back of my mind, I wondered if there was more to this move than “Winston-Salem or Durham?”
Cameron, over the past few days, I’ve thought about coming down here for your wedding, what this celebration was going to be like, and it’s funny, I just kept thinking back to little Cameron, wondering how in the world you’re old enough — which makes me older! — to be getting married.
I remember when you were born, while I was getting ready for just another day at school. Little did I know the call from the school office would change my life. A few weeks later, though, and I was ready to send you back.
We played sports, built Lego’s, spent vacations together. I put your backside through a wall — at an age which I will not disclose tonight — which might have been our only really bad fight. One of my favorite memories was our weekend road trip to Baltimore — just the two of us — to see the Orioles and Braves. And in true brotherly fashion, the Orioles won a game and the Braves won a game. We both left happy.
Even though you’re my little brother by 6 years, it always felt more like we were friends than you being “little brother.”
For a long time, you walked into places where people knew me, so you introduced yourself as “Aaron’s little brother.” I remember last fall, I walked into an office at UR, where you had worked, and everyone in the office looked at me a little funny. When they realized who I was — your older brother — they got really excited. And to be honest, I did too. I knew you were making a name for yourself.
Kim and I visited you at Camp Piankatank, we watched you at Highlands, and we’ve watched you and Nicole begin your relationship which has brought you to this day. It’s funny to think you were still in high school when Kim and I started dating, and now, we’re both married! We’re all grown up now, which is what I finally realized over the past few days.
I’m so glad you asked me to stand by you today to return the favor. I want to give the two of you 3 tips for a happy married life together, from our “years and years” of married wisdom:
- laugh and giggle together (giggle was Kim’s word): find a way to laugh at and with each other. the smallest things will become your closest moments together
- say “I’m sorry.” I think some guy named Paul said “don’t go to bed angry,” and it’s true. It will make your marriage stronger.
- put each other first. be each other’s biggest supporter and champion.
Cameron and Nicole, Kim, Teagan and I want to wish you — we all want to wish you — the best as you start your married life together. Go and love each other, honor God and do great things, because we all know you can.
