Thank you ..........
To break from tradition I refused to say "honour and
obey"......I didn't wear a white dress and I am definitely not
going to keep quiet at the reception. Michael will testify that
I always try to get the last word in...
It is true to say that a bride's wedding day is just as
special for her parents as it is for her. They have watched
their daughter grow from a newborn baby totally dependant, to a
grown women full of independence arriving at her wedding day. It
is not often that we as children get an opportunity to thank our
parents publicly for all they've done for us. I ask that you
bear with me as I take this moment to do just that.
As a little girl I can remember Mum and Dad always tucking me
in and kissing me goodnight, covering my scraped knee with a
Band-Aid, holding my hand while walking me to school, helping me
with my homework. As the years passed and I was finding out
about live, love and heartache, there they were. Good old Mum
and Dad, always ready with a big heart and even bigger hanky
ready to wipe away the tears.
My first very special thank you must be to my wonderful
parents, Brian and Margaret. The support, encouragement and love
that you have shown me over the years has been enormous.
I am the person you see before you today because of these two
very special people. They taught me to believe in myself and
that anything I wanted to do in life; I could do, if I set my
mind to it. They also taught me to be independent from a very
young age. I'm sure Michael would NOT thank them for this as I
can be incredibly stubborn sometimes as a result, in fact if I
was a character from the Little Mr and Little Miss books,
without a doubt I would be Little Miss Independent - but it
always made me aware that when I did get married, if I got
married, it would be to the right man at the right time and that
is certainly true. I was given a fantastic education and they
instilled in me values that I hope to bring to my marriage with
Michael. I can only hope that I can create the same feeling of
welcome and happiness in our home as they have always had in
theirs...
Mum and Dad I love you both so much and it is difficult to
express the gratitude that I have for this wonderful day. So
much time and effort has gone into every detail. My parents have
truly provided me with the wedding of my dreams and it is only
with wonderful memories that I will think of this day forever.
A little under 3 years ago, when I first met Michael I had
just come out of a five year relationship and definitely wasn't
thinking about, let alone looking for another relationship. So
it is a little surprising to find myself standing here beginning
a new chapter of my life as Mrs Douthie.
One person that I must thank, or some (light heartedly) might
say blame for us all being here tonight, is a good friend. Win
Johnson. Winnie, Winnie, Winnie (possibly get the bridal party
to go oi, oi, oi here). I thank you for convincing me to put a
tape in for Blue Heelers and come out bowling instead of staying
home on my first night back from down south. As little girls we
always dream of dressing up like princess' or brides. Well today
I got to live that dream and in part it is because of you.
I know Michael's has formally thanked the bridesmaids, but
hey they're my bridesmaids, so I am going to steal part of his
thunder. Wendy, Cecelia, and Jodi thank you for everything. I'd
realised that I had chosen well on my hen's night when Wendy and
Jodes went out of their way not to remove temptation but in
trying to convince temptation to stay, alas temptation was no
longer a problem. Cess, although you couldn't be there to share
it with us you were there in spirit. Seriously though, you have
all been a wonderful help in preparing for this day and more
importantly wonderful friends in every sense of the word.
Wendy and to you Craig, I want to thank you both especially
for the friendship, love and support you have shown me over the
last 7 years. In those first 5 years of our friendship, living
so far from Mum and Dad you guys became my family, and showed me
I much support and love in a time where it was truly needed.
Your door was always open to me, and a bed always at the ready,
damn I missed out on those pink pancakes though. Your continued
support, friendship and love flowed when I introduced you my now
husband, Michael. You made him feel just as welcome as you did
me, the first time we met. I thank you so much and I am honored
that you both along with Chelsea and Shania (who looked
absolutely gorgeous today) accepted our invitation to be part of
our special day and more so part of our bridal party. I love you
both.
Friendships can be found and forged in many different ways,
whether it is be as best friends growing up, new found friends,
or even old friendships reignited by chance. True friends will
always be there for you in one sense or another.
It is at this point that I must say a very special and
heartfelt thank you to our wonderful celebrant today and special
friend, John. I first met John 8 years, when he was Chaplain to
a previous employer. Along came this open and caring, honest and
sincere man, always ready for a chat, or a laugh, but more
importantly an ear. There have been times over the last 8 years
where John has been my rock, my confidante, my friend when I was
at my lowest. It is very hard to put into words, how I feel
about this man and just what he did for me, but I guess the most
important person knows, so quite simply I will say 'John I feel
blessed that I met you all those years ago, and I value the very
special friendship that we have, and hope will continue to have.
Finally, I want to mention a very special person, Michael. It
sounds silly to say that I wouldn't be here without him but it's
true. Michael you've given me everything I could want - love,
friendship and a future. It is said that you marry a man like
your Dad and if that's true - then kind, generous, loving,
caring, supportive, always there when you need him and great to
hug is what I'm getting. I am looking forward to my life
together with you and thank you for making me feel so special.
You know, Nanna always told me to marry a rich man - I
couldn't have married a richer man than Michael. He is rich in
inner strength, understanding and kindness, in forgiveness and
patience. He is my everything and I am very proud to be Mrs
Douthie. I'd like to propose a toast to us - the best is yet to
come, and to you, our family and friends for showing your love
and support by being here with us tonight.
