The groom's father's wedding speech
As head of our family and father of the groom, Jeremiah, I have the honor and pleasure to speak on my third son's wedding to a very pretty girl, Lara, who is both beautiful outside and in. This is the fourth marriage among my five children and the only one celebrated at sunset off Coron, Palawan. The symbolism of this ceremony shouldn’t escape our understanding. By holding this event in a secluded island, Jim and Lara tell us they want their lives private, away from the noise and haste of the city.
Jeremiah is different from his brothers John Paul and Josef Rey. He was named after the Old Testament prophet because he was conceived and born in the year my wife and I accepted Jesus Christ as our personal savior in Catholic Charismatic ceremony. We wanted Jeremiah to be a religious person, bishop, or minister. But when he wanted to be soldier, and used to salute all security guards in Don Bosco and in our subdivision. He didn’t demand anything or ask for any favors, he just waited until something is given and always expressed his appreciation and gratitude. He’s so unassuming, never demanding, but he also doesn’t tell us when he goes out and comes in.
We thought he would be a priest, but when he met Lara, everything changed. Lara is the love of Jeremiah's life. He admires Lara for her hard work, seriousness, and devotion to her family. Jeremiah accepts Lara and her family, and thus, on behalf of the Jimenez family, we welcome Lara and promise to support their marriage spiritually and in other ways. The two love each other unconditionally and respect each other. I hope and pray the work of Jeremiah and the career of Lara will not tear them apart. I always remind them there’s no success in work that can make up for failure in the family.
So, my advice to them is: Work hard in your job, but put God in the center of your life, and your family as your first priority. When work conflicts with family, choose family. You can find another job and start another career, but you can never replace a broken home, a shattered marriage, and a family torn apart. I ask you to have an agreement: when one is stressed and angry, the other should be cool and calm. On MWF, only Lara can be angry. It would be Jeremiah's turn on TThS. Nobody should be angry on Sunday, it’s the day for reconciliation, forgiveness, and resurrection.
Jeremiah, when Lara is angry, invoke your right to remain silent. Everything you say can be used against you. Silence is the best argument against a woman. When she says many things, just take notes. Honor her feelings and never attempt to understand her. Just love her. The woman who can be understood hasn’t been created. She was created to be loved. I thus close my statements with an admonition. Love each other, accept each others' imperfections, forgive each other always, and don’t give up despite the odds. Give us many grandchildren and bring all of them to the love of the Lord. Mabuhay ang bagong kasal.
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