What is Love?

As part of my daughter’s wedding ceremony, all of the mothers were given the opportunity to provide a speech to the newlyweds to impart our wisdom and advice about marriage and love.

Overjoyed at the chance, I jumped to stand up and speak to this beautiful couple that I love and adore so much. My relationship with Tim is far from perfect but it is perfect in our own way since it has worked for us over the last 20 years. We continue to grow and learn with each passing year. Some years have been incredible, some so-so and some we’d rather not mention. Our advice may not be life altering but it comes from the heart.

Below is the speech I gave during their ceremony on 8.21.21 that I am excited to share:

What can I say that you haven’t already been told by so many other people in your life? 

You know that life is in no way the fairy tales that you read when you were young or the rom com movies that we love to watch where everyone ends up happy and in love. 

Life can be messy, dirty and sometimes downright crappy. And marriage can be the exact same way. 

So, what makes it worthwhile then? 

Finding that one person… And everyone has a person, and unfortunately you may have to go through a couple of the wrong people to find that ONE person who makes your life worthwhile and every day a new adventure. 

None of us needs someone in our lives to survive, but when you find that one person, there is no event or milestone in your life that you don’t want to experience without them by your side… a new job, the birth of a child, moving into a new house, losing a loved one, everything… 

So what is love? 

Love is finding that person who helps you find your laugh again and every time you laugh – it’s a little harder and a little bit a louder. 

Love is finding that person who believes you are the most beautiful person in the room even if you haven’t showered and you’ve been wearing the same clothes for last two days. 

Love is finding that person who understands that you haven’t felt like yourself in a long time so figuring out who that person is may cause some trials and tribulations along the way but helping the other person know that you are here for the long haul. 

Love is finding new adventures to endure together whether it’s a vacation to a new place, a trip across the river or just a trip to the grocery store.

Love is finding a way to work through the pain of loss together, sometimes without words and instead with small gestures and signs of love. 

Love is having your best friend by your side for the rest of your life to watch your lives unfold together as you grow your family and perfect with age. 

Love is figuring out that nothing is perfect; there will be arguments and disagreements along the way that are  only meant to help you grow and develop as a couple. 

Love is just being nice to one another when that is sometimes the farthest thought in your minds. 

Love is finishing each other’s sentences, knowing what the other person is going to say before they say it and understanding what is being said without a word being spoken. 

Over 20 years ago, I met a man who I could not deny I would eventually fall head over heels for. With this man, came two children — a 10-year-old boy and a 7-year-old girl. As much as my love for this man continued to grow, it was undeniable how much I adored his children from the get-go. That adoration and love for all of them has only flourished and grew over the last two decades. 

Today, I stand before you so proud of the woman that little girl has become after all these years as well as the mother she is today. I am overjoyed that the two of you have found one another…  Mario to his Princess Peach; Stitch to his Lilo; Mickey to his Minnie; and finally Penguin partners for life. 

And finally one last piece of advise, above all things, Always Remember to Love One Another through the good and the bad, the happy and the sad, the sunshine and the storms!  

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We are overjoyed to witness this young couple’s happily ever. Our new son-in-law is a welcome addition to our family. We adore our daughter’s happiness with her new husband and the new life they will continue to build together as a couple.