the toast

So I got married. Here’s the thank you speech/toast from my wedding…

As some of you may know we have been in a global pandemic for the past couple of years. For many people this was a life changing event. It was life changing for me as well. Before the pandemic I worked for the State for a dozen years. During the pandemic I switched jobs 4 times, only to end up back where I started, working for the State. I moved down to Southern California, after living in Northern California most of my life. And of course I met the love of my life. And like many people I had a lot of time on my hands. Being the introvert that I am, I had a lot of time to think. And so I wanted to share with you some of my thoughts.

One thing I thought a lot about is the importance of family and friends. As some of you guys know my dad suffered a stroke late last year, and so he could not be here today. It is in hindsight that I wish that I had spent more time with my parents, and I wish I had said more often how much I appreciate them. I am so thankful to my parents for raising me, and to Go Eun’s parents for raising the beautiful bride in front of you all. I am thankful to my brother Thomas and his wife Monique for letting me crash at their place so many nights, first while I was trying to get settled down here, and later while I was dating Go Eun. I am thankful for that time to get to know my niece Noelle, our cute flower girl, and Jayden who would have been our ring bearer if he had been able to walk a little better. And thank you Jae Eun for being a loving sister to Go Eun. I am hoping to get to know you better as a sister in law.

When I lived in Northern California, we had all our Socal family who we saw maybe a couple of times a decade, all our aunts and uncles and cousins. I’m thankful that I’m now closer and we’re able to see each other more often. Special thanks to Michelle, one of the cousins who I used to only see a few times a decade, for being our officiant. And a special thank you to all of Go Eun’s aunts and uncle who flew in from Korea to be here to celebrate with us today.

Moving to San Diego during the pandemic started off kind of lonely. I am thankful for my friends Sam and Paul, who are two of my groomsmen for helping me get settled in San Diego, and to Vishal, my other groomsman and last but not least my best man Tim, for visiting me during those lonely times. And thank you to Go Eun’s bridesmaids Luna, Mia, and Nara for being a huge part of Go Eun’s life through both school and church. And thank you to all the other friends who are here, thanks for all the memories we’ve shared, fellowshiping, and eating, traveling, and adventuring together.

Since I read our vows for the first time, I’ve been thinking about the concept of ‘for better or for worse.’ I’ve come to realize that family and friends are the people who are there to celebrate with you through the better times, and help you through the worse times with advice or even just a shoulder to cry on.

One other thing I thought a lot about during the pandemic was the past, present, and future. All of you are a part of Go Eun and my past, and by being here you are all a part of our present. And we hope that we continue to be in each other’s lives in the future.

And so in closing I wanted to toast those few thoughts–

To family and friends, for better or for worse, and to past, present, and future, cheers!