The honor is all mine

I have so much to say, but I'm going to take a day or so to collect my thoughts (and sleep)! We have some dear friends who were unable to make it to the wedding, and I still want them to be able to "hear" what I stood up and said. Many of you who have been following JGIWC from the beginning may remember when AEG first moved to NYC and we were just a couple of drunkards at Dorrian's. Even if you've never met me or her or either of us, I'm sure some of us feel as though you know us, and that's the beauty of a blog.

So while you sit on the edge of your seat, champing at the bit for photos of the beautiful bride, I leave you with my Maid of Honor speech... My favorite toast I've ever made.

Believe it or not, it wasn't love at first sight. I'm not talking about Brian and Alyson - I'm talking about Alyson and me!

Alyson joined my sorority a year after I did. I knew her as the yappy yellow-haired girl in the back of the chapter room. Always with her hand in the air. Always had something to say. I was rather shy back in those days and she sassed me left, right, and center before she actually agreed to be my pal. We spent our college years over coffee, cocktails, and endless giggles, more often than not wearing matching outfits. I sobbed as I hugged her goodbye after graduation and headed off to New York… But when she came to visit me in the months following and decided to move to the city as well, I was elated. In the past eight years there has been no one that I have laughed harder or cried harder with.

I do believe, however, that is WAS love at first sight for these two. And while I can't say that I was responsible for introducing Alyson and Brian, or for setting them up, I will absolutely take credit for their chance meeting. Alyson and I ended up at our favorite watering hole following a charity ball late one fall evening back in 2008. After one too many drinks, I decided to head home… and forgot to take Alyson with me! I realized my mistake not too long after and headed back to the bar to fetch her. When I arrived, I found her waiting for me and deep in conversation with Brian. I had stepped out, and fate had intervened. Alyson, you always said you wanted to meet your husband at Dorrian’s!

I feel like I have been writing and preparing this speech for years, as I knew early on that Brian would be Alyson’s happily ever after. Among my contemporaries, I have never known such a well-matched couple. For two people, so perfect for one another, to meet and fall in love, on purpose… is an incredibly rare thing, and I feel lucky to have been on the sidelines the past four years as I have watched all of my best friend’s dreams become her reality.

Brian, you are a gem. The true definition of a Southern gentleman, one of the most thoughtful, noble people I have ever had the fortune of knowing.  Thank you for treating Alyson like the princess she is.

Alyson, the honor is all mine. While it was our mutual affinity for polos, pearls and Lilly Pulitzer that brought us together all those years ago, we know that what’s kept us together is something much stronger. You have brought so much sunshine into my life. You are my favorite blonde, my partner in crime, my sorority sister, my soul sister. A very wise Little Rascal once said, “You only make a once in a lifetime friend ONCE in a lifetime” and YOU, Alyson [her new last name], are mine.

Congratulations to you both on proving to us all that fairytales do come true AND that you can find true love at Dorrian’s. I love you both so much. Cheers.