Good afternoon, family and friends of M and T!
I am positive that I speak on behalf of all here today that we are so excited for this joyous occasion.
Now, M and T describe the story of how they met as – and these are their words, not mine – “very cliche. “ Like a Hallmark movie.
Now, I’m not sure I agree. Hallmark screenwriter [name removed for privacy] spells out the formula: a meet-cute with a reluctant blind date, probably set up by a mutual friend, at some local dive bar, and then a moment when everyone questions everything because the girl moves away to the big city and the boy stays in the beautiful hometown…
WHEREAS M and T met nearly 10 years ago when a friend of M’s tried to convince her to try to go on a blind date (oh.) with a mutual friend… well, ok, that’s still fine, because the setting was really unique! It was a…oh. It was a dive bar.
Ok, but THEN what happened next was WILD. They questioned whether their budding relationship would last when M left Arkansas for grad school near the big city of Chicago, and T stayed in beautiful Arkansas….
OKAY YOU GUYS, COME ON
Well, I suppose the ultimate cliché is that cliches are cliché for a reason. And we know that every gushy film simply has to have the resolution.
T and M are living proof that maybe Hallmark movies have it figured out. Even for two people as unique and non-cliché as M and T.
While their meet-cute might have been the stuff of a Hallmark movie, their continuing story has been a one-of-a-kind adventure. Many of us know how they are always up for a fun night in playing games (video, board, or card variety). M’s bachelorette weekend involved a ghost tour, and you all really need to tell the story of when T first met M’s mom. Also, no matter how much money they might make, they really prefer to celebrate milestones with Taco Bell and Andres Spumante champagne!
T and M have trusted in their decisions and in their hearts. Through some heartache, willpower, and—again, their words—a lot of stubbornness, T and M show each other every single day what it means to have faith in a partner and a friend and to demonstrate that faith across each action. To make it work no matter the circumstances. To choose to love each other on easy days and on difficult days. To promise to remember the love that brought them together. To revel in the knowledge that a Hallmark beginning deserves a fairytale ending.
So without further ado: please repeat after me:
[Vows]
T and M, you all have requested that I ask you to remember these words by poet Erin Nicole in your days to come:
“When I say I love you more, I don’t mean I love you more than you love me. I mean I love you more than the bad days ahead of us. I love you more than any fight we will ever have. I love you more than the distance between us. I love you more than any obstacle that could ever try and come between us. I love you the most.”
The last piece of the Hallmark formula is that you are supposed to keep lovers from the kiss as…long…as…possible.
To make the tension last, that same Hallmark writer from earlier actually sent you all a personal message: [I’ve removed this quote, because it was only for the bride and groom. :)]
You may nowwwwwww kiss! By the power vested in me by the State of XXXX, I now pronounce you husband and wife!
Talley Gale 