20190914_emilys_wedding/html/sharons_toast.html

2019/10/11 - S.Atwood


from: Sharon Lieder Atwood <notification@facebookmail.com>
reply-to: Stewart French <stewart.french@gmail.com>
date: Oct 11, 2019, 1:30 AM
subject: Sharon Lieder Atwood sent you a message.

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Hi Stewart, I FINALLY wrote out the toast. Sorry it took a little
while. Working on Amandas wedding plans ( less than a month away) and
working with my high school reunion committee has kept me hopping. Our
45th class reunion is next weekend. Fun times ahead! I have attached
the toast, with perhaps a bit more elaboration, but it should be
pretty much the same. Thank you for doing the whole blog. I cant wait
to read everything. It will be a wonderful memory for them to share. I
just want to tell you how much I admire you and Anne stepping up to
support Emily and Mia. They are very lucky to have such caring family
like you. I think she is absolutely AMAZING and couldnt be prouder to
have her for a daughter in law.  I think Andrew and Emily are just so
perfect together. Im sure you agree. We are blessed!!

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Sharon's toast for Emily and Andrew

The theme of my toast is: "Finally"!

It's about time. When Andrew was in second grade, I started hearing
about Emily. They were in the same class throughout elementary
school. I found a piece of paper on which he had written in large
childish script "Emily's hair lights up the room".  As the elementary
years passed, I would see Emily in school plays, and choir
concerts. Andrew and Emily also attended the same middle school, and
were in band and some classes together. During 7th grade they were an
item. As Valentine's Day approached, I took Amanda and Andrew to
Walgreen's to get candy and valentines for their friends. Andrew
wanted to buy Emily something special, and he did. He found a giant
Hershey's kiss in a box with cellophane windows. It was about 6 inches
tall and solid chocolate. Then I told him to get a package of regular
Hershey's kisses to share with his friends. When we got home, he
opened the bag of kisses and poured them into the box with the giant
kiss, a huge chocolate love offering.

When Andrew started high school, I told him about a month before
Homecoming that if he wanted to ask someone, he needed to do it
soon. We would need time to get a mum, and someone else might ask the
person you are interested in.  In 9th grade, he was not interested in
the least, and just looked at me strangely. Then, in fall of 10th
grade, I repeated my Homecoming advice. He did not comment, but came
home the following day and casually stated "I have a date for
Homecoming". I was rather surprised, and asked him who it was. He
looked at me incredulously and said "Emily, of course!" Ever since
that Homecoming date, they have been together.

They graduated from high school, attended college, and stayed
together. Periodically I would ask Andrew if there were any plans for
the future and he would say yes, but not elaborate.

Not long before they both graduated from college, I asked Andrew if
there were plans. He said, yes. I asked him to tell me more. He stated
they planned to get married after graduation, "But not like the next
day or anything". This was in 2014. We saw Emily many times, and
included her in family gatherings and trips. We knew they would marry
eventually, and FINALLY the day has come!

We are so pleased to welcome such a wonderful young woman to our
family and wish them a long happy marriage with many wonderful
memories.

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