In the midst of the chaos I did not have the opportunity to give
Ryan and Amanda Carlock the traditional best man toast at their
reception. As I was saying my goodbyes a few of the members of Ryan's
family asked that I write out and make available what I had prepared.
As a disclaimer I usually have just an outline for these sort of
public speeches and due to this habit it is difficult if not
impossible for me to repeat exactly what I would have said or even
how I would have delivered this toast without that context. I want to
respect the request that came from Ryan's family. So read at your
leisure.
Friends and family, thank you for coming and witnessing with me
the marriage of a very close friend. Some of you may have been
wondering who I was as I stood amongst this very tall wedding party.
My name is Vince Cutrona and I have known Ryan since we were seven
and eight years old (yes we were closer in height back then, but he
shot up quickly).
I lived next door to Ryan and the Carlock family through
elementary school and during this time each of our living-rooms
became extensions of the other's home (we eventually learned to just
walk-in and stop with the doorbells). We would watch DBZ, draw, jump
on the trampoline(trying to see how high my little brother Louis
would go), find old spandex to squeeze in to, eat copious amounts of
cookies (I learned to grab them fast and with authority) and play one
too many videogames when Friday rolled around and we could sleep
over. And while our homes sat so close together on Pennyroyal Lane
there was one distinct difference the Carlock household was loud and
the perfect place to watch the Notre Dame football games and the
Cutrona household was quiet and the perfect place to reflect on the
events going on around you. The Carlocks would move when we reached
middle school, but just a little ways down the road and what had
started as a friendship between two boys became a friendship shared
between their families too. We did not skip a single beat and we came
by constantly when we finally got our own driver's licenses anyway.
When high school graduation came around we went off to do new
things in different places, but at every Christmas break our families
would get together for new year's and in the summer we'd still shoot
off fireworks on the 4th. Ryan has grown up a lot since we
met, but he keeps his humor close (yes, I was the one who watched
Dumb and Dumber with him five times in one day). I cannot share every
story I have of Ryan and the Carlocks. What I can share is this; Ryan
and I grew up as brothers and we are still learning what that means
even today.
Amamda, he is not perfect (you hopefully knew this already) but he
is genuine. I hope that I can get to know you on the level I know
Ryan's family. I hope you feel welcome by the Cutronas too.
To you both, thank you for giving me a front row seat (you know I
need it) to witnessing your wedding. May this be a strong beginning
to your marriage. May the family and friends here be a strong support
to your marriage. I pray you have many stories with laughter and
tears. Sit quietly in the grace of our Lord together and act on his
Word. Be blessed Mr. and Mrs. Carlock.
Cheers!
