Father of the Groom Rehearsal Dinner Speech
Posted: November 6th, 2019 | Author: Scott | Filed under: Personal | Comments Off on Father of the Groom Rehearsal Dinner SpeechMy younger son was married this past weekend. As the father of the groom, I gave my speech at the rehearsal dinner. I tried to express some of the things I wanted them to take with them. And I wanted them to hear my love and care for them in a meaningful way. They both seemed to appreciate what I said. I had practiced a lot and managed to get through it without significantly choking up or crying. (I did a lot of that while working on it.) I thought I would share it here as well.
Welcome everyone.
For those who don’t already know us, I’m Scott Morizot, this is my wife Stacey, and we’re Geoffrey’s parents. Tradition holds that the father of the groom is expected to say a few words at the rehearsal dinner. I’m usually more of an impromptu speaker, but for this occasion I prepared what I wanted to say.
Time has flown since Geoffrey first introduced us to Morgan. In that time, she truly has become a part of our family. I definitely look forward to many more family game nights, movie outings. and dinners together. I also have to say that as a theater person myself, I’m personally thrilled that Moe has expanded Geoffrey’s appreciation of musicals and stage performances.
But love, especially love that endures, is built as much in shared struggle as in shared joys like this moment. The two of you have already faced challenges together and more are certain to come. In the hard times, it’s that person you love more than life itself who can, simply by their presence, provide the impetus that keeps you moving forward, one step, one day, sometimes even one minute at a time. I’m reminded of Samwise Gamgee in the Return of the King on the slopes of Mt. Doom when Frodo had reached the end of his strength.
“Come, Fr. Frodo!’ he cried, ‘ I can’t carry it for you, but I can carry you.”
Sometimes we have to carry each other. And we can find untapped depths of strength within ourselves when a person we love is in need. Love is a deceptively short word, perhaps the most challenging four letter word in the English language. It’s a word used to describe the essence of what it means to be human. Attempts to understand, define, and express love have captivated spiritual leaders, philosophers, musicians, and poets throughout history and across cultures. I offer the two of you these words on love by bell hooks from her book, “all about love”.
“Through giving to each other we learn how to experience mutuality. Giving is the way we also learn how to receive. The mutual practice of giving and receiving is an everyday ritual when we know true love. A generous heart is always open, always ready to receive our going and coming. In the midst of such love we need never fear abandonment. This is the most precious gift true love offers — the experience of knowing we always belong. Giving is healing to the spirit. Love is an action, a participatory emotion. This is why it is useful to see love as a practice. When we act, we need not feel inadequate or powerless; we can trust that there are concrete steps to take on love’s path. We learn compassion by being willing to hear the pain, as well as the joy, of those we love. The path to love is not arduous or hidden, but we must choose to take the first step.”
Tomorrow you will both be taking another step on love’s path. Keep a generous heart as you travel it together.
I want to leave you with a very short poem by Courtney Peppernell. I hope her words convey a sense of the sort of lasting love I wish for you both.
Sometimes the smallest details about a person are the biggest
             reasons why you love them.