*Taps mic*
Mic check. Mic check. One Two.
Hi there. Hello.
*Coughs*
So … for those who do not know me, I am Jonathan. Well, most know me as Ozzy. But of course the two of you already know me, and there is no one else at this time given the random nature of this "speech".
*To the invisible crowd, that was a week ago I know, in front of him*.
Last weekend I was honoured to be invited to an amazing wedding. That was of course, the Smith wedding. A wedding that was out of this world to say the least.
It was only after the speeches had already been given; one by the groom himself, one by his best man, and a third by the lovely bridesmaid, that as I was saying some random nonsense to the bride, I distinctly remember her saying "Hmmm maybe I should have asked you to give a speech too. Ah well" Indeed it was too late then, but it still was not too late for me to try give her what she wished for at the time.
I met Elina *scratches his bald head* since we were fourteen years old. A solid sixteen years ago. Some people said it was when the Nationalists were still in government, but I got one better, it was still back when I still had long curly hair.
*Pauses, and hopes for some laughter, from whoever is reading*
We were school kids, and we all went to the cinema together. The movie, I believe was called "The Kingdom". I have to admit I did not remember the title, and I asked the stunning bride here for help with memory, without her even knowing why I asked ha! Elina still claims she was so scared of me back then. Long scruffy hair, savage Maltese speaking rough kid "from the block". Ironically my block was barely a fifteen-minute walk away from hers. But it was soon after that we found ourselves at the same sixth form. We back-staged together. We drank together. We danced, we partied, we went to SAC fests. We all did an insane amounts of shots at this particular pub, Street Fellows, together with all the crazy things one is supposed to do in one's youth.
But that's the thing, friendships of the sort at that age tend to be a lot, and after a while they all fade away. Not this one. Even at university, and after when I moved abroad, we never got out of touch, and in the darker times, when I thought things were getting bleaker and darker than ever, Elina was always the kindest and gentlest soul to provide a listening ear, and all the support she can muster. And when I myself thought I couldn't go forward, she still managed to get me to take the next steps, and never doubted me. For that, I owe her my gratitude till the day I find myself on the death bed. No wonder she became a councillor, helping others is in her nature, and for that, I shall be forever grateful. People like her is what the world needs, especially in these troubling times.
I was always the typical Maltese who loved to party, drink, eat, yet I always noticed that even though we did these things all together, Elina had an insatiable desire for more. For the great outdoors, and nature and life. I was so happy for her once she left the confines of the tiny barren rock that is Malta, and came here to enjoy the great Scottish outdoors. And she found the best person to share her adventures with. I never have enough of watching stories on Instagram of Elina's adventures with Kevin and Toby. They always brighten my day every single time.
And what can I say about the dashing handsome groom?! I got the pleasure of spending three days in the company of Kevin, and what a gentleman he is. Funny, witty, gentle and friendly we had loads of fun, from taking silly photos with the props at the start, to dancing to Lock Lochmond (I hope I am getting the name of the sing right here haha) at the very end. No wonder Elina fell in love with him. Five minutes after meeting up with beers, doughnuts and some of the green good stuff, it felt already as if I knew the man for a lifetime, and would trust him implicitly. He welcomed us Maltese in Scotland with open arms, and made us feel instantly at home. Of course she fell in love with him. And how great is that!
It was when I saw the look in their eyes as they looked at each other on the in front of the ceremony guy (or was he a minister? I am not sure, please forgive my ignorance on the matter), that I started crying like a five year old. Out of happiness, of course. And so did Steph next to me. That look these two amazing people had in their eyes as they were saying their vows and tying the, quite literal in this case, knot, is both an inspiration, and a lesson to us all. It is the inspiration that that love is out there and exists strongly, and that we ought to never give up in our search for it, because once it is found, like for Elina and Kevin, it truly is the best thing in the whole damned world. And it is a lesson, that we should strive to be like the two of them, follow in their example of being kind, gentle, welcoming, humble, honest, and grateful as they are the living example that love is the product of all these characteristics, and we should never take any of them for granted. These are the inspiration and the lesson I got from this wedding. And they are both something I will cherish, within this memory of them holding hands and looking in each other's eyes, forever.
On that note, I better stop now before I start rambling, I ask you all, whoever is listening to this speech (actually reading this page and got to this sentence, I know, but I have to keep with the character and theatrics now) to raise a toast, to the newlyweds, to Kevin and Elina, to Mr and Mrs Smith. May you have a long and happy marriage, with everything that you can ever wish for. You are truly an inspiration to all of us.
*Raises glass*
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