a special day

davis and melissa got married last friday. it was in many ways an ideal day. melissa looked beautiful. davis looked dashing. the ceremony and reception were memorable and fun. this video captured the occasion well.   


Davis and Melissa from Joshua Brown on Vimeo. 

davis asked me to say a few words at the reception. this is what i said: 

as i have thought about davis and melissa's courtship, its duration and its ups and downs, i couldn't help but feel a sense of relief that davis fell in love with someone who was endowed with the gifts of patience and loyalty. melissa is an extremely loyal person - loyal to her family, loyal to her friends and loyal to davis. and davis is a better man for it. i know davis well, probably better than he wishes. and i believe that melissa's patience and loyalty were well spent.

frequently, when i speak with people who know that davis and i are close friends, i am told something like this, "davis is one of the funniest people i have ever met." i have heard that statement, or one like it, so many times that it has become a bit obnoxious. i am tired of being davis' ed mcmahon. i share this with you because i believe that statement highlights one of davis' greatest gifts - his sense of humor. his quick wit and descriptive prowess are unmatched. people are drawn to davis and find him so much fun to be around because of his ability to make others laugh. but i love davis, not just because he is a funny person, but more so because he is a good person.

recently, davis, melissa and i were headed from our apartment to the gym for our annual work out. we walked up our street and happened upon an older gentlemen lying in a pile of trash bags. our street is fairly busy and it was after work, so many people had likely passed him by. we stopped and davis asked the old man if he was ok. the old man mumbled something we couldn't understand and it quickly became apparent he was drunk and had probably passed out. davis suggested we help him up and we did. once upon his feet, the old man became self conscious and understandably so. his pants had fallen below his waist so that his bum was completely exposed. as well, it looked as though he had needed to use the bathroom but had forgotten to zip down; the front of his pants were soaked. because our hands were full trying to keep this guy steady, davis asked melissa to help the old man pull up his trousers. and she did. talk about loyalty. 

at this point, i was feeling we had done our good deed and could take off.  davis was concerned that if we left him, he'd likely pass out again. and because it was 10 degrees outside, he was worried the man could become ill, or worse, could die from hypothermia. so i walked back to the apartment to grab a warmer coat and to powder my nose. when i returned davis had sat the old man down on some steps and had called 911. help arrived a short while later and we headed for the gym.

i share this story because it demonstrates some of davis' more angelic attributes. davis is a very empathetic, selfless, caring person, and i believe that these attributes, coupled with his sense of humor, will make him an exceptional husband and father. and i know that melissa will be an equally exceptional wife and mother.

i am uniquely unqualified to offer any pearls of wisdom on marriage. so without further adieu, i would like to say to the bride and groom, i love you, and my hope is that your love and friendship will continue to grow, and bring you a lifetime and eternity of true joy and happiness.