You Asked For It - Paul's Speech at Amy & Corey's Wedding

Once I heard Amy and Corey's wedding theme, #amylearnstopark - a play on Corey's last name, I knew that was going to make great fodder for Paul's speech. And me - writing is my thing, right? Of course, I couldn't help myself. I wrote a draft speech for his review, happy that I wouldn't be the one to stand up in front of over one hundred people and deliver it.

Paul put his own touches on it - and this is the final draft. He embellished some of the stories more than this script and did a fabulous job. Jud also gave a speech in honor of his sister's marriage - mentioning that he was speaking for his brother Patrick too, which made me so proud. Indeed all the speeches were great - but this blog is about Paul's (and yeah, mine).

My handsome son, speaking at his sister's wedding

Paul's speech:

Amy Learns to Park

Paul addressing the group - happy couple in the background, sisters in the foreground

Welcome, everyone. Thank you for sharing this special event with our family and the Park family. Thanks to Jeff Park for performing the ceremony. We all appreciate how you kept it short!

We would like to welcome Corey to our family. From the first time we met him, Leslie and I noticed how at ease Amy was around him – we thought even then he might be “the one”.

Oh that delivery! 

Leslie and I want to say how blessed we feel to have a daughter who is as kind and empathetic as Amy. She’s been that way since she was a small child. Leslie always credits my mother, Laura for Amy’s gift of kindness. When Amy was little, Leslie’s Mom, Pat, called Amy “Merry Sunshine”.  

Don’t ask Jud, but Amy was a wonderful big sister growing up – always coming up with exciting - pretend situations that he could throw himself into. When they both attended Iowa State, we thought it was great that they saw each other about every week.  Of course, later we found out it was to provide beer to Jud and his friends.  

Though kind, Amy is very competitive. She was a great scholar and athlete during her school years. Not because she was the most highly skilled or gifted – but because of her work ethic. She worked harder than others and learned what it took to be successful. She still does it today with her successful graphic design business. I guess that’s how she was able to land a guy like Corey!

The theme Amy and Corey picked for their wedding “Amy learns to Park” is a play on Corey’s last name. The driving theme is appropriate for Amy.  Amy was one of those kids who could not wait to get her Learner’s Permit! She insisted we take her to Corning, the town next to Creston for her driver’s permit test – so she could drive a couple days earlier.

Amy is an excellent driver, but she’s had some interesting experiences driving through the years. Here are a few stories I can share, with some marital advice sprinkled in.  

·         Shortly after getting her learners permit, Amy spun out and destroyed a small tree behind Creston High School. She learned that icy roads require slow going. This can be useful knowledge in a marriage. When conditions are unknown, take time to assess the situation. Go slow and don’t spin out!

·         Late in the winter one year, Amy drove her friends to a beer party and somehow ended up on a mud road, (she claims she was the designated driver). Of course, there was lots of mud jammed up in the wheel well that Amy was not aware of.  Early the next morning, the Goldsmith’s left on our annual spring trip to Florida taking Amy’s car heading to the KC airport for a 7am flight.  As we’re driving south from Creston, I can hear an odd sound coming from the rear of the car.  About 10 miles south of Creston, the rear tire blows.  You know when mud dries it becomes hard and in this case sharp, rubbing on the tire until it ripped a hole.  One ruined tire later daddy wasn’t happy. I had a meltdown before changing the tire. In marriage, there may be stressful times when you should just stay quiet, allowing your partner to blow off steam and calm down.

·         When Amy first moved to Denver, she didn’t have a Smart Phone or a GPS. Leslie would get random phone calls asking which way do I turn.  The best was, Amy called and was driving on a tollway, she asked, “I just went through a toll area without paying, is that bad?”  In a marriage, it’s best to plan your route ahead. Pay tolls and bills as you go. That said – impromptu trips are the spice of life! 

  

·         In Amy’s early days in Denver and when she started her own business, her car Dave was an important partner. She delivered fruit bouquets, warm cookies and drove for Uber. Dave allowed Amy to travel safely, park in tiny spaces and make deliveries. Amy also rode her trusty bike to appointments, weaving her way throughout the city.  Learn your way around – together and by yourself. This trip through life is rich when you share it with each other. Take time to continue to nurture friendships and interests. I look around this room and see it filled with our loved ones from a lifetime.  It’s not easy to stay in touch – but it’s worth it!  Make time for yourself as well – pursue your own interests.   

·         In Denver, Amy parked her car overlapping a driveway a little too far and the parking police put a boot on her tire.  Amy was furious, poor and grounded. How would she get the boot off her tire? In everyone’s lives, stuff happens. Sometimes we cause our own problems. Other times it’s just fate and destiny. Work together to get those boots taken off your tires. Talk to each other. Communication is the key. Problems are smaller when they are shared.

·         Amy loves Halloween. Almost three years ago, when Amy posted her annual Halloween character photo on Facebook, Leslie noticed that Amy was in character as the movie Grease’s “Sandy” or Olivia Newton-John. And she had a John Travolta. The next thing we knew, she was talking about a new guy that liked driving Go-Karts. His name was Corey.

·         Because of Corey’s job training requirements, he drove off to Pittsburg that next January.  She drove with him through Des Moines to see him off to his new work site. First impressions were good. Since then we have gotten to know and love Corey as an engaging, intelligent young man who is dedicated to our daughter.

·         A little over a year ago after Jud and Kara’s beautiful wedding in St. Louis, Corey asked us if he could marry our daughter. We were thrilled for both of them. Today they begin their married lives together.

·         Again, welcome to our family Corey. We will root for the Clemson Tigers if you will cheer for our Cyclones.

·         Please join me in raising your glasses in a toast to Amy and Corey.