Here's to the bride and groom!

In case you haven't heard, my brother got married on Saturday.  It was kind of a big deal, and I don't mean because I was the MOH and our adorable Ben was the ring bearer.  It was a big deal because, well, it was about damn time Leslie became an official part of this family.  I could go on and on about the festivities of the day (and week preceding) and maybe I will later, but for now, I'll just post what I've promised to post:  my toast.

Hello, I'm Ali, Leslie's maid of honor and also Kendall's sister.  I can't tell you what an honor it is to be here, to have been asked by my brother's wife to take on such a special role in their big day.  Leslie and I had kind of a slow beginning to our relationship.   She knew that I had my eye on her, dating my baby brother, and she didn't like it.   I had a precious little brother to protect though (yes he's precious.... to me) and I took my job very seriously.  She passed all tests with flying colors though, and it became clear pretty quickly that she wasn't going anywhere.  Anyone who can put up with the constant teasing and pestering and endless sarcasm that is The Slaughter Family and still want to hang around is definitely a keeper!  She earned my respect even more when she became comfortable enough to try and dish it back out... and I say "try" because when Leslie makes a joke one of two things happens:  either everyone looks around awkwardly at each other because someone else JUST MADE that exact same joke, OR, if she actually has a good one, she starts laughing so hard at her own cleverness that she hyperventilates and can't actually spit it out!  The second way is my favorite, because even though we don't actually get to hear the joke, she still gets everyone laughing hysterically.

Eventually, with the passing of time and a whole lot of laughter, I think Leslie and I both realized that whether we meant to or not, or whether we really believed it could happen, we had become sisters.  She learned that I'm not really that scary... and  I learned that even though she's not what I expected - the female version of my frisbee chasing, beer drinking, school hating, seldom showering, island travelling,  shoe-less hippie of a brother - that doesn't mean she's not the perfect woman for him.   In fact, I thank GOD that Kendall didn't choose someone exactly like himself!  Because where he is loud, she is peaceful.  Where he is spontaneous, she has a plan.  Where he runs and runs, she walks and remains steady.  She is his perfect balance, and they are both so lucky to have found one another.

I wanted to wrap up with a quote, but most typical wedding quotes I think would have my brother rolling his eyes and laughing under his breath, and I don't want to get him in trouble with his new bride already.  So I chose one from someone who's wisdom I know he would NEVER argue with:  the late, great, Bob Marley. 

“He’s not perfect. You aren’t either, and the two of you will never be perfect. But if he can make you laugh at least once, causes you to think twice, and if he admits to being human and making mistakes, hold onto him and give him the most you can. He isn’t going to quote poetry, he’s not thinking about you every moment, but he will give you a part of him that he knows you could break. Don’t hurt him, don’t change him, and don’t expect more than one person can give. Don’t analyze. Smile when he makes you happy, yell when he makes you mad, and miss him when he’s not there. Love hard when there is love to be had. Because perfect people don’t exist, but there’s always one that is perfect for you.”  

So here's to two amazing, wonderful, imperfect people, Kendall and Leslie ~  May your perfect LOVE for each other always be enough.  Cheers!