My wedding speech and toast

I made the following speech and gave the closing toast at the wedding of my daughter, Erica, to Dan Calvert in San Diego on Sunday, July 29, 2007.

I’m Brian Schutt, husband of my beautiful bride, Cindy, and on her behalf, and along with my son, Andrew, I’d like to welcome you to our reception for Erica and Dan, the new Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Calvert. I especially want to thank those of you that have traveled long distances -- and incurred the expenses -- to join us for this special day. Your presence here today is a reflection of the love and relationship you share with them.

As I look around this deck, I consider myself and my family truly blessed. As the poem so aptly states about what friendship means to our relationships,

… pure, unselfish friendship,
All through life’s allotted span,
Nurtures, strengthens, widens, lengthens…

Thank you for sharing and enriching this time to celebrate the new couple and the joining of our families. Enjoy this evening, and please relax – you are among friends whether they are brand new, or lifetime ones.

A little girl at the wedding afterwards asked her mother why the bride changed her mind. "What do you mean?" responded her mother. "Well, she went down the aisle with one man, and came back with another."

Dan, you are a lucky man. It’s not easy to marry a beautiful princess. Thankfully, she found her prince charming.

Dan’s name always seemed to come up when we’d talk to Erica during her time at Point Loma. I think Dan had a plan. I admire that. I know he’s fun-loving, happy, thoughtful and friendly. I’ve not heard of one person yet that doesn’t like him.

A couple lines from the movie, Meet Joe Black, sum up well what I’m feeling tonight:
I loved [ my daughter ] from the moment she was born, and I love her now and every minute in between. And what I dream of is a man who will discover her, and that she will discover a man who will love her, who is worthy of her, who is of this world, this time, and has the grace, compassion, and fortitude to walk beside her as she makes her way through this beautiful thing called life.

As I’ve gotten to know you, Dan, my fatherly heart – the one bound to walk down that aisle – has been calmed. I see in you that strength of character, and it has made it bearable to entrust Erica’s hand to you in marriage.

You have been through much already in your life. You have stepped up to responsibility at a young age, and dealt with adversity with resolve. You haven’t let the tough times harden your heart. Your bear hugs reveal a love that draws people to you figuratively as well as literally.

Cindy and I will strive to become like the great In-Laws that her mom and dad, Gordon & Ruth Erickson, have been to me for 28 years. I look forward to our families growing closer in the years to come.

Your work is guarding lives at the beach, serving our country in the Coast Guard, and serving guests at Bondi. Turn now to guarding and serving a single life . . . your new bride, Erica. Be the first to ask for forgiveness, make a habit of kissing good-night, and always show Erica how much you love her. Welcome to the family, Dan.

Erica, we made it! This day has been coming: not quickly enough for you, and way too fast for me. You are so beautiful. I celebrate today the relationship we’ve had over the years. You are God’s gift to me, and today we move into yet another stage with new opportunities for our love to grow.

If you know Erica, even a little bit, you’ll know that she is wonderful blend of Explorer, Artist, Judge and Warrior. From those early years of much listening, very little talking and too few afternoon naps, we knew that you were a determined person when you wanted something. Remember the 60-foot Cliffhanger water slide at Cal Expo when you were seven? Fantastic! I’m amazed you learned how to swim through all the tears. From that at age four to the 100 yard Butterfly at Swim Championships as a teenager is testimony to your heart.

I thank God for our fun dates over the years. They were a father’s dream. The love that went into those was modeled so well to me by my mom and dad, Hal and Alice Schutt, through their strong marriage and love for each other. [ PAUSE ] There was jet skiing at Bass Lake, camping at Folsom Lake with chocolate chip pancakes, and opera at the Sacramento Community Center Theatre. You always made those times feel magical. I finally have a tux’ to wear: can I use it to escort you to a future performance?

The love and devotion you have to music is a gift, and you are a tremendous Gift Giver. I want you to multiply that gift by sharing your music with the world. I believe that it needs to be heard, and you have the talent to bring it to us. Believe in yourself, ask for God’s guidance, and it will come to pass. I love you, Bug.

Please join me in a toast the new couple…

Hodding Carter, Jr. once said, “There are two lasting bequests we can give our children. One is roots. The other is wings.”

In keeping with that theme, Erica & Dan, today as you enter your new life together, may our love for you nourish those roots, and lift your wings. Dubrovnik!