I think I can speak for everyone when I say thanks to Colin and Gayle for picking such a fantastic place to get married. It has provided us with the impetus to take a great vacation with great friends. I always love that about destination weddings.
I want to start by telling you guys a little story about the night Colin and Gayle met. We were at a Sushi place for a friend’s birthday. I think it was either Paul or Dallas. I can’t remember. We’re seated at several small tables and Colin and I end up sharing a table with Chris Borsheim. At some point during dinner I go to the bathroom. When I come back, I notice that Liz and some stunning blond bombshell have taken my seat. They quickly apologized and offered to get up and give me my seat back. Of course being the perceptive and dedicated wingman that I pride myself to be, I thought to myself “there is no way I’m letting this beauty leave Colin’s side”. I declined and insisted that the stay there since I wanted to catch up with folks at the other tables anyway.
And the rest, as they say, is history. So all you guys having a good time tonight …. you have ME to thank for this trip. Just buy me a drink later and we’ll call it even.
I met Colin in the early 90’s at a number of house parties in the Seattle area. We had some friends in common and Colin seemed like he was always happy and excited to be out. He remembered my name and we chatted a few times. I recall one night he got stuck at a party with no ride so I drove him to the next venue and we chatted on the way. I really got to like him after that drive.
A few years later we found ourselves involved in a small group of young entrepreneurs. We spent a few years trying to patent an invention and bring a new product to market. And although the entire venture failed gloriously, the experience allowed us to spend a lot of time together and brought us closer.
I was pretty burned out on trying to get rich by the end of that ordeal and wanted to get back to sports, travel, and enjoying life in general. Colin had just moved to my neighborhood and suggested we should work out together. For the next few years we worked out together at least 5 days a week. It was very therapeutic to see a close friend every day and bond over the course of hard work. We were sober, lucid, and traversed vast intellectual terrains during those workouts. We also got in the best shape of our lives because we looked forward to every workout and pushed each other. We were so active and busy at that time. It seems like there were a couple of summers where we were out of town on one adventure or another almost every weekend. Every month or so would consist of events that by today’s standards would be the highlight of the entire year.
Throughout these adventures, one of the traits I came to admire and love most about Colin was his ability to actually enjoy adversity. Weather it’s a highly unsafe and life threatening climb, or getting lost in the rain forest, or careening down a class 5 rapid … The harsher the conditions the bigger the smile on his face.
There is aquote, by Jackson Brown of all people, that goes something like:
"Our character is what we do when no one is looking."
And I gotta admit … as much as it drives me crazy sometimes, Colin is precisely the type of guy who always does the right thing even when no one is looking. We could be 20 miles from the closest sign of civilization and he’ll get on your ass for leaving a candy wrapper on the forest floor or not burying your poop.
Now I must admit, I got along fairly well with the last couple of girls that Colin dated and I would get a little bummed whenever those relationships ended. Some of them were cool girls and at times I would wonder if Colin really knew what he wanted. I wondered if he, perhaps, had some impossibly high or unreasonable standards or if the perfect girl for him even existed.
Well, it turns out that he DID know what he was doing and although his standards were high, they were also wise. Gayle, I liked those other girls a lot … but, sweetheart, they can’t even hold a candle to you. You are wonderful and I’m so glad I gave up my seat that night at the sushi joint.
You know traditionally, part of a wedding speech involves dispensing advice to the bride and groom. Especially when the speaker’s been married for close to a decade himself.
So here it goes ….. DON’T DO IT !!!!!!
But seriously, you guys seem to have such a healthy and well balanced relationship that I honestly can’t think of any advice that would be genuine.
I guess the one thing I can say is no matter how stressful life becomes remember to be honest with each other. Remember, that you’re on the same team. You can be the shoulder the other relies on or the arm that cuts them down. There’s nothing worse than dreading your own home life. Make your home a warm and safe heaven where you can escape the life’s trials and tribulations.
Remember that if you ever put your marital problems on the back burner they are sure to boil over.
When Riley was born, there were 4 people waiting outside the delivery room. My parents, my brother, and Colin. And I gotta tell you … I can’t wait until the day that I get to rush to the hospital and hold that little d’Hondt in my arms. Colin, I’m honored to be your friend and proud to be by your side today.
Let’s raise our glasses to toast the new couple.
Here is to my friend and his lovely bride. May the candle of your love burn brightest in the darkest hours and never flicker in the winds of trial.
To the bride & groom.
