This story originally appeared on the Gents Cafe Newsletter. You can subscribe here.
Have you ever been lucky enough to be invited to a birthday, a celebratory occurrence in the form of a dinner and drinks, or perhaps to witness the commendation to one’s love with their life-partner-to-be? Any occasion to be involved with, really—a time of presence and loyalty to the ones around you. Isn’t it an outright privilege and honour to be invited to such affairs?
I think yes, very much so yes, and never take the offering for granted.
Furthermore, I have had the blessing of being a best man three times over the last nine years, to some great men whom I hold close in my heart.
To be with them and their families can be rather emotional for me, both the night before and the morning of the big day, and understanding that—of all the people these particular men have met through their formative years—it is myself who gets the chance to represent who they are as a friend and to speak confidently in front of their own family, friends and loved ones.
The morning of my own big day was certainly special. To share the stage and create memories with the friends who had me a part of their celebration, and to have our core group of kindred spirits involved in the bridal party, made that work of the morning incredibly easy.
Once I had arrived at our wedding venue, our guests started coming, group by group. I intentionally greeted every single one of them into our monumental day, as it meant the absolute world that they accepted the invite to join us.
A hundred guests came through the doors that day, their kindhearted congratulations and thanks highly received. It wasn’t until I was half way through my speech that I had a feeling of sadness and guilt, mentioning the family who couldn’t be there on the day due to passing or illness: when would there ever be a chance for me to speak in front of this particular crowd again?
It took me a few days to process the fact, and once my wife and I were on our mini-moon, we had a really nice moment to sit back, look at the ocean with a drink, read the cards we had received, and think—what a significant time of our lives that was.
If I can summarise this with a note to self, make the most of your time with the ones that mean the most to you, for when will the next time be—if there was to be one?
I am here incredibly grateful, overcome with joy and happiness, because of the times I have got to spend with the ones who mean the most to me.
