The seasons of life change in the blink of an eye. And with those seasons, come swirling emotions; hope, frustration, happiness, fear. We take joy in one another's triumphs and we mourn defeats together.
Loving someone, I've grown to learn over the years, is wanting the absolute best for them, always. That's what I've always wished for Taylor...that no matter what path she chose in her career or in life...my wish was that she got to experience everything she'd ever wanted.
Getting to watch her get married this past spring in a gorgeous ceremony, overlooking the ocean at the house in Rhode Island and being asked to have a small part in the day with a reading was one of the greatest honors of my life, one I'll never forget.
Taylor, one arm threaded through Scott's, the other through Andrea's, was the most beautiful bride, her ivory mermaid style gown perfectly fitted, hair swept up and off of her face in an elegant chignon. She carried a bouquet of tea roses and lilies, the calmest and happiest I think I've ever seen her.
We all expected her to get slightly worked up when it came to the details; not because she was a diva, more due to the fact the tiny intricacies no one else gave a second thought to weighed on her until they'd succeeded in driving her insane. That was simply how her brain operated.
But she'd been unnervingly at ease throughout the entire process. No freak out when the cake topper arrived broken, pure Zen, even though we got a late start because there was a slight mishap with the rings (If Kylie could've murdered Jason and gotten away with it...). Nothing seemed to phase her and when I watched her exchange vows with the love of her life, Lance by my side, on a perfectly tranquil Saturday in April, the joy I felt for her was beyond compare.
There were plenty of tears and laughter and afterwards, a party to end all parties with both of their families and all of their friends, just a wonderful time, food, dancing and drinks in the numerous tents set up on the lawn and so much love, I couldn't help but get emotional.
They'd asked me to give a toast after Abigail and Jason, the maid of honor and best man, respectively, had given theirs and let me tell you, for someone who has to use her powers of communication as much as I do, I get a nervous stomach when I have to speak in front of a large group of people. Our stage crew and staff is one thing, but a formal event is another. I was extremely cognizant that Taylor and Travis had put their faith in me and fucking up wasn't an option..never is.
In the end, I think I delivered.
"It's a beautiful evening, isn't it? For those of you who don't know me, my name is Tree. I've worked for Taylor for a number of years now and I've seen her through both really beautiful times and maybe times that weren't so wonderful. During the span of these years, she's become not only a friend, but another daughter. I'm certain that everyone in this room knows that Taylor is the most loyal, most kind, most loving person. She'll do anything for anyone without a single hesitation."
"And you want to strangle me sometimes," Taylor interrupted from the head table, making everyone laugh. "It's okay, Tree, I'm not offended."
"Look, it's your wedding day," I offered with a chuckle, "I'm trying to be nice here."
Composing myself, I looked down at my notes and then back out into the crowd.
"As I was saying," I gave Taylor the side eye, eliciting more laughter, "to know Taylor is to love her. Pretty much instantaneously. Once she's in your corner, she's in it for keeps. To see her this happy and this in love, so at peace...well, it's been a beautiful thing to get to be witness to. I knew from very early on and I don't want to brag here, but I did, you can ask my husband...I knew that Travis was the one. The person who would support her and be by her side. Who would calm her when she needed it, but be there in times of celebration, too. The guy she could buy an ugly couch and loveseat for and he would genuinely appreciate the gesture. Being a man of reason, my husband told me to relax, but I held onto the thought and as it turned out, as you can clearly see," I gestured to the room at large, "I was right. For those of you that do know me, you know I typically am."
