Cheers to the Happy Couple

Our daughter, Catherine, got married yesterday to Geoffery Falcone. Here’s the toast I gave the newlyweds:

Those of you who’ve known Catherine even five minutes know she can be a bit impulsive. And so, you’re probably not surprised to hear me say that I didn’t put a lot of stock into things when she called, after just a few dates with Geoffery, to tell me she was going to marry him.

This is the one, she told me. I just know we’re meant to be together. 

(Don’t tell Dad!)

It didn’t seem to matter that Geoff hadn’t asked her yet. 

Once I met Geoff, it was obvious why she felt the way she did: He’s kind and funny, smart, generous and caring — not to mention handsome — and he was quite clearly head over heels for Catherine.

Very quickly they were an item, and overnight Geoff became a member of our family, like he’d been there all along.

Watching their relationship grow over the past 5 ½ years, it’s clear they were meant to be together. They have all the right stuff to make a marriage work – love for each other, matching priorities and a shared world view; a love of family; passion for travel, dogs … movies, soccer, wine and charcuterie… and an all-important sense of humor. 

Where their personalities and interests diverge, they complement each other nicely – each very clearly half of a bigger whole. If there’s one soulmate for each of us out there, it’s obvious Catherine and Geoff have found theirs.

This became evident more recently as life tested them – and us — with crazy series of curveballs – things that might have sent other couples for the door. Catherine and Geoff never flinched. They faced every challenge together, as a team, each time coming out the other side stronger and better together.

Which brings us to today, this wonderful celebration of their love for each other, full of so many people who care about them.

Catherine and Geoff, there are no words to fully describe how much we love and care about you, and how happy it makes us to see you two together, to know that you have each other to love and lean on, and to share the many great adventures life has in store for you. 

Today and always, we wish you every happiness — a lifetime of love, much laughter, a happy home, good health and all the many things you’re dreaming of accomplishing together. Much love and congratulations to you.