Chapter 79: A Sister’s Love

Despite a pandemic, an absolutely insane winter storm in Texas, and cancer, I was able to see my brother marry the love of his life this week. It was a magical evening, intimate given the conditions, but filled with enormous amounts of love.

Many of you know that my brother is one of the most important people in my life. Matt is one of my best friends, one of my heroes. He is an incredible person, and his new bride, Jordann, is equally incredible.

 When the winter storm in Texas led to the wedding officiant cancelling a few hours before the ceremony, I also had the unexpected opportunity to officiate the wedding. Thank goodness for the random online wedding officiant ordination I did last year!  

 Officiating the ceremony and watching Matt and Jordann read heartfelt vows to one another was a surreal moment, one I will never stop being grateful for.

Over the course of this blog, I’ve written about my family and friends many times, but I’ve never found exactly the right words to share about my brother and new sister-in-law. I wrote a speech that I gave at their wedding this week, and I think these words may finally say what I’ve wanted to say for a long time.

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Wedding Speech 2.14.2021: 

Good evening everyone. I’m Courtney, older sister of the groom. 

Let me start by stating a few obvious facts- Matt is perfect in every way. He is incredible, thoughtful, organized, eerily smart, ambitious, kind, loyal, athletic, gifted, compassionate, and humble. He rarely messes up at anything. Growing up, Matt was hands down the dream child for my parents, while I spent many angsty years in various stages of melodramatic indulgence. 

 When I realized last night that my perfect brother had accidentally forgotten to tell me I would be giving a speech at his wedding today, I felt such a rush of satisfaction. Matt never forgets anything. Finally! 

But, last-minute speech fears aside, perhaps Matt simply knows me better than I know myself. I’ve become somewhat of a writer this year, and my best writing usually comes with a sharp deadline. So, once again, Matt, looks like you did it right. 

 I don’t know quite how to summarize my feelings towards Matt and Jordann in one short speech, but I’ll start with a realization I had twenty-some years ago. 

When I was around three and a half years old, The person I look up to most to in this world was born. 

 Although he was not named Marshmallow Hot Chocolate Hager as my three-year-old self proposed, the Madison Gabriel that entered my life was a heck of a lot better. 

Matt looked like a beautiful little cherub right from the start. He never went through an awkward stage, as the photos at the rehearsal dinner proved. But that’s ok, I had enough awkward stages for us both. 

Matt and I have been best friends our entire lives. Honestly, I can’t remember ever fighting with my brother. I mean, how could you fight with that face? [everyone looks at Matt- he has a great face!]

Matt and I had never lived more than a few miles apart from one another until he went to West Point. I’ll never forget, the night before he left, I walked into his bedroom crying, and Matt reassured me as he always has that everything would be fine. 

Everything was fine. In fact, distance may have made us even closer. With many calls and FaceTimes, Matt often let me know he hadn’t forgotten about me. 

A few years later, Matt was assigned with the Army to move to Manhattan, Kansas. He was not so happy about this, but a few days after moving in and meeting a cute girl in the elevator, Matt seemed much more cheerful on our phone calls. 

Matt told me about Jordann- a smart, beautiful, and kind woman- who lived in a pink-themed apartment one floor below him. I was skeptical at first. In my opinion, no one had ever been good enough for my brother. 

 But, When I finally got to meet Jordann a few months later, I knew Matt had met someone exceptional. Jordann, you are phenomenal. You are the sister I never knew I needed and now could never live without. 

When I was diagnosed with cancer a little over a year ago, Matt and Jordann were on the first flight home. Lying in my hospital bed, one thing was so clear to me. Matt is strong, but - my God- so is Jordann. I knew in that moment that Matt had not just found a crush or a girlfriend, he had found a life partner. A partner to share in not only the highs, but also the lows. A partner there to help him be strong, but also help him when he feels weak. 

Jordann, thank you, for being such a light in our lives. Together, you two are unstoppable. I don’t know that I have any incredible words of wisdom about a lasting marriage, but I do have a few thoughts about enjoying life together:

Be honest. Be kind. Don’t worry about tomorrow. When you find yourselves lost, look into each other’s eyes, and know that you are home. 

Love you both. Cheers to the happy couple!

Fondly,

Courtney

©CB2021