Dad's Toast

See the (partial) video

I'm sure you all read on the invitation at their website how Chris and Teresa met 15 years ago. What I find equally interesting is how their romance has persisted in the subsequent years. While Teresa single-mindedly pursued a fashion career in LA, Chris and his merry band of boneheads have pursued a career in shenanigans, finding odd jobs along the way to finance their operation.

Now I realize that the term 'Boneheads' might sound like a derogatory term to most of you. However, over the years that has become a term of endearment I use when I refer to the collective bunch of boys who I sometimes feel I lived with during Chris's most formative years. <please stand boneheads> And as I look out and see these familiar faces, I can't help but be overcome with a deep and abiding... fear for what may take place this evening.  

<last minute interjection of my brothers - the original boneheads>

I am NOT kidding! This feeling I am SURE I share with Teresa, who HAS literally lived with these boys for the better part of 15 years. The 7 or so years following their graduation, Chris has moved back and forth to Los Angeles with several of them, all the while maintaining a good relationship with Teresa.

Over the past 8 years, once Chris and Teresa settled in San Francisco, all but the last year was spent in the Calloway Fraternity house with the ever-expanding band of boneheads and their girlfriends. That's right Marco and Manny – you may not be one of the original boneheads, but you are one now, and I'm afraid it's a life sentence.

Teresa, you have certainly paid your dues many times over. For this, I feel you deserve a special place in heaven alongside your namesake, Mother Teresa.

I may have never welcomed you into our family, but I have seen you so frequently at our functions that I don't even remember when we first met. I love you and what you two have accomplished together.

I could not be happier for you and for Chris. I formally welcome to our family and I wish you both a very long and very happy life together.