Best Man Speech

FINAL DRAFT

C - Opening

Good evening! My name is Clay, and I’m the middle brother (*My name is Jordan, and I’m the oldest brother*) —yes, we did coordinate size with birth order for your convenience. You know, my mom used to say that one boy does one boy’s work; two boys do half a boy’s work; and three boys do no work. If that isn’t an insight into the Wright household then I don’t know what is; but I figure if this speech is half as good as it should be then we’re hitting par.

J - Continuation

As clay and I continued to work through this speech, I thought about the great best man speeches I’ve seen in movies and shows, and all of them start with some kind of an embarrassing story, but as you’ll see, the only things we can use to tease Carter about are his height and his lack of a 10th finger! Carter is by far the best of us. He has always had a magnetic personality that has drawn others in and made people want to be close to him. I couldn’t be prouder to be an oldest brother to Carter, and I’m awestruck in the ways he has exceeded anything I could’ve hoped for him. He’s reached greater heights than I ever did at his age, and has a maturity that I look up to now. He walks humbly, speaks confidently, and cares for others deeply. He is willful and independent, respected in his career, loves the Lord with his whole heart, and has surrounded himself with friends that have poured wisdom into his life.

C - Silent Night Story

According to modern media, little brothers are supposed to be the guy that you don’t invite to the party, or who embarrasses you in front of your friends, or who you are trying to escape into adult life. But as I reflect back on my life with Carter, that stereotype couldn’t be further from the truth. I always loved having Carter around. I always invited him along; not out of principal, but because we genuinely wanted him to be there. He added fun, confidence, and excellence wherever he was, even from a young age. I was recently reminiscing with some friends about our favorite memories from college, and unanimously we all ranked the Silent Night game of 2019 as one of our favorite memories. And for those of you who don’t know, silent night is a basketball tradition at Taylor that is the only reason Taylor will ever be covered on Sports Center. But what was incredible in 2019 wasn’t the costumes. It wasn’t the score. It wasn’t the game. It wasn’t my performance—it’s not like I was playing! But my little brother was, and that’s all that mattered. And one of my favorite memories is listening to a crowd of thousands of students cheer for my little brother. It was one of my proudest moments, and I wasn’t even involved. But Carter is just that kind of guy. His moment is one of my favorite memories because of how proud I am to be his brother.

J - Notes about Brooke, the couple

Brooke, I am so excited for the two of you. I’m encim by the ways that you and Carter compliment and uplift one another. Carter has found in you a beautiful and kind partner with a quiet strength to walk throughhelp him weather the storms of life. I am confident that you will encourage him to lean on his faith just as you will in good times and in less good times. I’m so excited for the both of you to start on this phase of life together, and I am confident that you’ll not only compliment each other, but that Carter’s confident strength and your quiet strength will cause you to sharpen one another to do more in the name of Christ than you could ever do apart.

J - Marriage Advice

Since Carter has identified me as “old” over the last few years, that qualifies me as wise enough to share some advice that has served me well over the years as a husband and partner to my wife: assume the best of each other, always. Over the course of your relationship, there will be times where you fall short of each other’s expectations. Don’t let those moments overshadow the understanding that your spouse is the one person that will always be behind you and want what’s best for you. Holding on to that truth helps frame conversations around those hurts in a way that allows healing and growth, and will ultimately lead to the both of you serving each other better as you continue to grow as spouses.

C - Ecc 4:8-12; toast

As a pastor, I’m contractually obligated to read Scripture anytime I’m handed a microphone, and as I was thinking about today, I couldn’t help but think of Ecclesiastes 4:12. This verse has been read out of context at plenty of weddings, so I’m going to start in verse 8. “There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth. “For whom am I toiling,” he asked, “and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?” This too is meaningless— a miserable business! Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not easily broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:8-12 NIV). We all toil in this life. But far and away, my toil has been better with brothers. Though to be perfectly transparent, I’m relieved that Brooke can take over the “laying together part.” I’ve been blessed to walk this journey with you for 22 years. I’ve loved every second of it. I wouldn’t change a thing. And now, I’m so glad that you won’t be walking alone. Brooke, you’ll have to finish where we left off! We’re sorry that his feet smell bad, although we’re not sure he can help it. We’re sorry he likes popcorn and buttered noodles so much, but it’s the only thing he would eat. And we promise he’s not bringing road signs into the house to try and send you a signal. He just likes them, I guess. But as you journey, never forget that Jesus is the One above all that walks with you. He is the friend that sticks closer than a brother; closer, even, than a spouse. Never stop drawing near to Him, and you will find that, strange as it seems, you will never stop drawing near to one another, either. J - Toast Carter, and Brooke, this isn’t the last drink we’ll share in this life, but it is the first in celebration of your union. So would you join me. Raise your glasses. For today we toast to the best of us, we celebrate in anticipation of God’s blessing, and we drink to a cord not easily broken. Solo Deo Gloria, (*to Carter and Brooke!*)