We have a family history of embarrassing toasts at rehearsal dinners. Somehow I left mine unscathed, but in the past we’ve done skits and told stories that we once buried. It’s all done in the name of love and I felt the need to show Bryan just how much love I have for him. And since I plan out every word when I’m speaking in front of a group, here’s the *script* from my toast…almost word for word. So just pretend you have a mojito in hand while I tell a story…

Hi, for those who don’t know me, I’m Marci – Bryan’s sister. And for those who haven’t been to one of our family weddings before, you might not know that we like to give funny, embarrassing toasts at rehearsal dinners.

But not tonight. Tonight I’m here to tell the truth. One so shocking, I had to bring proof.

<<Imagine this picture coming up on the TV screen.>>

This is not Bryan’s first wedding.

The year was 1987. He was four and I was five. He wore doctor scrub pajamas. I wore a bath towel held together with a clothes-pin as a veil and carried a wad of Kleenex as a bouquet. Our grandfather, Gramps, officiated using what appears to be a tri-fold brochure for Branson. It was the wedding of our dreams.

That day, as we held hands, we vowed to:

Play Nice
Share our Toys
To not whine or complain
Eat our veggies
Love each other

And those vows have carried us far. Bryan and I have stood side-by-side during some of our happiest and darkest moments. We’ve shared laughs, heartaches, joys, cramped hotel rooms in Paris, afternoons as Catfish and Hotrod, life in Owasso, and trips to the emergency room.

So, in honor of our almost 27th anniversary and before you say a few important words tomorrow to Robbi, I want to take a moment and renew my vows to you.

But if we’re going to do it, we’re going to do it right.

<<imagine Bryan coming up and putting on scrubs and me putting a towel over my head and clutching kleenex flowers>>

My dear brother, I am so proud of you.

I promise to always love who you have been, who you are and who you wish to be.

I vow to support you and Robbi through whatever life throws your way, championing your goals and dreams.

I promise to be just a phone call away no matter how far apart we live.

I promise to never forget 4-27-11, the name Xuxa or Suppachoke.

I vow to share your joys, sorrows, triumphs and concerns.

And will be forever grateful that we grew up side-by-side, hand-in-hand.

I couldn’t have done it without you. And I wouldn’t have wanted to.

I love you so much and think you’ve found an amazing second wife.

To Bryan and Robbi.

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Credit to Booh and Lily for making my lovely bouquet: