addison // jack avery

Part 74

i knew i was crying, but i held it in as tate started to speak. 

t- hi. for those of you who don't know me, my name is tate and i am the other maid of honor. i want to start off by saying that every once in a while... two people meet, and you know it's meant to be. you know instantly that the stars have aligned, and their paths would bring them together regardless what the world may throw their way. this was clearly the case over seven years ago, when addi, christina and i first met. 

looking back over the years, and remembering when i first met addu, it truly amazes me that something that seems so minor, such as a simple invitation to hang out with my boyfriend's best friend's girlfriends... could change my life forever.

addi and i may not have been childhood friends; we never played dress up or imagined what our weddings would be like as little girls. we didn't go to school together and never braided each other's hair... we don't have any memories to speak of before the age of 16, but none of that matters because i feel like i have known you my whole life. we know more about each other than we probably care to, and that's because we can share anything without passing too much judgment. we have laughed together, we have cried together... we have inside jokes that only we find funny. personally, i think we're hysterical... but that's why we are friends... because i don't think anybody else does.

i want you to know that christina wasn't joking when she said she rewrote her speech  about fifty times over, because i did too. i couldn't think of anything perfect enough to describe just how much i love you. there are no words big enough, to define the kind of friend you are to me, and i certainly had no idea how to summarize everything i wanted to say to make it all fit on to one page... but i will say this...

you are the best friend a girl could ever ask for. you have always been there for me, and i will ALWAYS be there for you. i don't know where i would be without my best friends, but i do know that standing here today... on your wedding day ... is exactly where i'm supposed to be.

jack, i remember thinking how perfect you two were together and i was right. (as always) you two complete each other. not only do you love each other, but you care about other people. you are two very little people with very big hearts... and i love that about you both. as her husband, i understand that YOU are her very best friend, and christina and i are willing to pass it over because we know you make her happy, and we know that she loves you more than words can describe... and we also know that we will never have to worry about you taking my place as her running partner.

if everyone can raise a glass now and join me in congratulating the very beautiful bride and handsome groom on the day we have all been waiting soooo long for! to jack and addi!

all- to jack and addi!

i got down off the table and ran over to them both, tears streaming down our faces. everyone was applauding and when we seperated, it was time for the other speeches. i went back up to jack and my dad came over and hugged christina and tate, taking the microphone. 

g- hi, i'm greg, addi's father. i have been waiting for this moment for twenty four years, and i must say that it is one of the most difficult things i have ever had to do. i never thought i would see my little girl again and now i'm here with her today. although it is overwhelming to give your daughter away, it is so satisfying to know that she is marrying one of the greatest men i've ever met. if i had to choose someone for her to be with, i would not pick anyone else.

addi has always been the type of person to find a good quality in everyone. she had such a large amount of compassion that it blew me away. she sees the best in people, it didn't matter if one person was not popular, or if the other was too quiet, she found the best in every person she meets. it surprised me that she was so sensitive, yet made people feel like they had known her for years.

since she has always had that quality, i was not surprised when she went into motherhood. she thrived off of the fact that she could be a mother to a little girl. from that moment, she worked more for other people than herself. i always wished she would find a husband so she could do more for herself. luckily, i was introduced to jack by logan when he they became close. i wanted someone who was just as warm hearted as her, but still had a great work ethic and a sense of determination. 

addi, although i have been cringing at the thought of letting you go, i could not be happier for my little girl. i only wish the best for the both of you, and i know that you will have a beautiful marriage that will last forever. 

jack, i am confident that you will take care of my daughter. you have been a friend of the family for years now, and since day one my impression of you has not once changed. thank you for treating my daughter like gold. i know in my heart that you will be the perfect match, regardless of what happens later in life.

for this reason, i would like to make a toast. addi, may the future bring you happiness, wisdom, and more children so light has some brothers! but in all seriousness, i give you my whole hearted blessing and i know you two will last a lifetime. i am so happy that this day has finally come.

congratulations, addison and jack