Wedding Speeches flashback to September 30th 2006.

Since being back from the hospital, I have been through some things in the house, call in Spring cleaning. One afternoon, I came across a copy of our wedding speeches. My mom made sure that the people that spoke in our wedding wrote down their speech afterwards in our wedding book. It's a really nice idea, since I like to read them.

So I have decided to share them with the blog world, and revisit that time in our life. Some were totally off the cuff and the speakers never did write them down for us, but I'm hoping to get those off the video. But I have a few of them here now.

The people that spoke at our wedding are: My dad, Martin's dad, Martin himself, Myles - his best man, and Katharine my maid of honour. All the speeches were awesome. We also had a toast from Bozena a Boguslawski family friend, and Martin's cousin Scott from Ireland. Yes blog world, for those that did not know, I used to be Natalia Boguslawska. Glad you never had to spell that huh?!

Here is the first one in the book:

Katharine Lane, Maid of Honour:

"Good evening. My name is Katharine Lane and I am honoured to stand along side my best friend Natalia, and Martin, the man of her dreams, on their wedding day.

As I prepared for this moment, this opportunity to speak in front of all of you and toast Natalia and Martin, I was immediately filled with anxiety. I fumbled around trying to come up with the most profound and impactful words, but I came up short because all of these things I was trying to articulate weren't even coming close to expressing the girl I know and the friendship we share.

I have never known anyone like Natalia - her strength, her courage, her heart. My wish for Natalia has always been that she find happiness.

When Natalia first met Martin, I knew he was different. Each time I saw her she was positively glowing. I've never seen her happier, and Martin, I have you to thank for that.

Natalia - you are a testimony to the creative intent of God. You are a work of art. When I look at you and Martin together, I see God's masterpiece

Today we celebrate with you your love and commitment to each other. May your lives together be filled with joy, love, and peace. I love you both - here's to the beautiful couple"

-END

(katharine making her speech)

At the end of that speech the whole room was crying. It was so good. Kath did such a good job with it. The reference to art has to do with the fact that Kath and I met in an arts high school. We are both visual artists, and took many classes together. It is certainly something that we continue to share. Anyhow, I love her speech.

Okay, I'll do one more in this post. My dad's (this is a longer one)

"Good afternoon ladies and gentleman. For those who are not sure, I am Chris, Natalia's father. Hanna and I would like to welcome the groom's parent's Doris and Knox and thank them for their generous contribution to this event. We also welcome all the relatives and friends of both families including significant contingents from Ireland, Poland and the United States. We are honoured and happy to have you all here.

Those who flew over the Atlantic ocean, and those who drove from Richmond Hill are here to celebrate the love and marriage of Natalia and Martin.

There are many people though who were not able to attend this happy occasion, but who are with us with their thoughts and best wishes.

I consider myself blessed in many ways. I have a wonderful wife, by the way, we are going to celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary in two days, a beautiful, talented and loving daughter, thoughtful and supportive son, and now there is Martin.

It seems like yesterday when Natalia was born. I vividly remember a baby with lots of curly hair, slightly darker that today. Years went by and here I am giving the father of the bride speech. At this point I should include some embarrassing tales from Natalia's past, but I won't.

It has been 27 years of joy and love, which I hope will continue with all the necessary adjustments. i do need to tell you Natalia, even though you are married now, we will always be there for you. Both of you.

With Natalia you always get what you see. And I am proud to see you so beautiful and happy. I always admired your strong mind, your many talents and wit. Sometimes I thought that I may be a little biased, but I am happy to see I am not the only one who feels this way about you. I would like to congratulate Martin on this perception of Natalia being his perfect bride and for being the luckiest bloke in the whole of Ireland and Canada today.

Martin, we like you very much from the very day when Natalia brought you to our home to a party a year ago. I remember a good-looking guy with a bottle of wine. I remember my thoughts that I like him, and I was never wrong....so far.

Now after over one year from the day we met, I see a guy who loves my daughter, who will do his best to make her happy and whom I am very proud to call my son in law.

Welcome to the family Martin.

I wish you both a long and wonderful marriage and a good life you both deserve. To the health and happiness of our bride and groom. Natalia and Martin.

Love and happiness forever. God Bless and Szczesc boze."

- End

(my dad making his speech)

I thought my dad's speech was great. It made me cry too. I cried through all of those speeches, and was quite thankful that I spoke the night before at the rehearsal dinner. Mine was unplanned, and 30 seconds long, and I cried through that as well. I was a complete basket case, can you imagine how I will be when our little girl is born?

Hope you enjoyed a little of the Ritchie past, soon to be 3 years of marriage. I will do Martin's in another post. Enough gushy stuff for now.

(Martin and I enjoying the speeches)