Father of The Bride

"As I look around the room this evening, I am struck with one thought.  Not how beautiful this island is, although it is beautiful.  Not how wonderful this place is tonight, but it is wonderful.  I am struck with one thought above all others: Who are you people and what are you doing on my island?

This is a day to be thankful.  First of all, thanks to God because in Him all things are possible.  He is in our lives.  He is on this island.  He is here with us tonight.   And He will be with us at the ceremony tomorrow.  And forever.

Thanks to Jake’s parents, Ron and Diane Rude, and their family, for hosting this amazing event and providing for us so beautifully tonight.  And for sharing their son, Jake.  What a great job you have done with him.

When Jenna first told me about Jake, she described him as this really nice and handsome guy who works at Disneyland as Goofy.   He IS sort of Nordic looking which seemed strange to a North Carolina boy that a person from California wasn’t blonde and tanned.  When we first met him he was tall and skinny and pale.  Now look at him.  Still tall and skinny and pale.  Just kidding. Our family has always loved anything Disney. And now we love anything Jake.

I had dinner with his father recently and Ron described him to me as “favored” meaning that he is someone who always has something good happening to him.  For six years we have watched him grow into the fine man he is today  -- and we agree with his dad.  Jenna is the same way.  They both work hard and play hard.  As a result, good things happen to them both.  And that has been and will be fun to watch.

Thanks to Toni, my wife of 30 years.  My island girl.   Look at her. Doesn’t she look amazing?  Kenny Chesney’s friend described her as an absurdly hot parent.  She is!!  I love you.  Thank you for raising our wonderful family.

Special thanks to the youngest here this week.  Our island babies!!  Lorigan.  Genevieve.  Brennan.  Blake.  Luke. Hudson. Tell your parents to use lots of sunscreen, guys !!

Special thanks to the oldest here.  My Dad.  This place can be a bit of a challenge for Octogenarians.  And thanks to my Mom for the effort to get him here.

Special thanks to those who traveled so far.  From Hawaii.  Jake’s Aunt Becky.  And all the way from China, our niece Devon.  And special thanks to Team California.  Team Arkansas.  Team Texas.  Team New York.  Team North Carolina.

“Gratzi, Gratzi, Gratzi” to our Italian friends from The World Dance Movement.  “Viva Italiana!”

And finally, thanks to the future Mr. and Mrs. Rude.  Such beautiful people.

Turn to the person beside you and say  “Jenna and Jake are the perfect match.”

So, I am Jenna’s father.  And that makes me The Father of The Bride.   But I am also her Pool Boy.  Her Accountant.  Her Mechanic.  Her Personal Physician.  Her Teacher.  Her Driver.

When we visited our homeland in Italy years ago, and picked up a rental car, she taught me to say only one thing:

“Non so nulla.   Guido la machina.” 

Which means  “I know nothing.  I drive the car."  Jenna has always been very wise for her age.  Can I get you anything, honey?

Jenna and Jake.  Look around you.  Take it all in.  You are surrounded by people who love you.  By people who support your dreams.  By friends and family who will catch you when you stumble. This is your safety net.  Spiritually.  Financially.  Emotionally.  These generous and loving and positive people have your back.

Turn to the person beside you, high five them and say  “I have Jenna and Jake’s back.”

See? I am sure you will be well taken care of.

Jenna.  I have another secret which I have kept for over 24 years.  I have been in love with you since the first time I laid eyes on you.  Not many people in that circle.   You have been the center of my world forever.  Now you are the center of Jake’s world.  And believe me, that makes me feel good.  I am so happy with that. 

So, both of you, don’t think of this as a marriage.  Think of this as a really, really long date.  Love each other and care for each other as if you are still dating and trying to impress your date.  Please, I challenge both of you to support each others strengths and dreams, to forgive each others weaknesses and mistakes, to be grateful for your blessings, and to be constantly thankful for finding each other.

And remember to ask the Creator of the Universe to help you with anything you need or want. 

I have a feeling you will get it.

May God bless Jenna and Jake.  And may God bless us all." 

And God did bless us all - with a storm system hopelessly stalled directly over St. John.  Three days prior to the wedding it starting raining horribly with no signs of letting up.  Forecasters predicted 100% chance of misery with rain and flash flooding on the days prior to the ceremony. Members of our large group prayed and prayed some more. And an inexplicable, miraculous break in the weather gave our wedding party two days to gratefully enjoy the beauty of the island on Trunk Bay and then on Honeymoon Beach.  More spectacular weather on the island I cannot remember.

The next day was just as beautiful, like an island painting.  But the long Father-of-the-Bride walk down the Caribbean "aisle" with Jenna started with a few raindrops from a sky with no rain clouds, like tears of joy from Heaven, then turned into a quick refreshing shower and as our musician sang the verse "Here Comes The Sun", the tears stopped as suddenly as they had started.  And we were blessed with a full rainbow with a heart-shaped cloud to begin the ceremony as God reminded us that it takes a little rain to make rainbows.

And they were married.