Truly an Honor

First of all – Ashley, what an honor it has been for all of us to help you prepare for this day & to stand beside you this afternoon. Thank you.

Between the 6 of us, we have known Ashley as a child, a teenager, a college student, a grad student, a peer, a co-worker – but most of all a faithful friend. She has endured the good, bad & ugly with each of us through the years. Oh, the stories that we could tell. We’ll save those for another day because this is a toast and not a roast.

Personally, I’ve known Ashley for about 16 years. She kept in touch with Greg and I as we moved away from Maryland where we met her to 5 different states in 14 years. Anyone that can keep up with that & still be our friend is faithful. She could have given up after the 2nd move, but she didn’t!

Ashley is also devoted, passionate, full of life & she sacrificially & joyfully gives her whole self to any task. Ryan’s family witnessed this on Thanksgiving when they first started dating. Ashley decided to make a pound of mashed potatoes for every person there. 25 pounds of mashed potatoes…

And today – the Rialto, the ceremony, the flowers, the decorations, her dress – everything about this day breathes Ashley. 99% Ashley. 1% Ryan. {we love you Ryan!}

Take away all of those characteristics that I mentioned & Ashley’s still the brightest & most charismatic person in the room. And sometimes, she’s literally the brightest & most sparkly depending on what she’s wearing that day!

In all seriousness, Ryan – your wife is a precious gem, but her sparkle is the kind that will never fade.

There’s a verse in the Bible that tells us to rejoice always, to pray continually & to give thanks in all circumstances. That’s where Ashley’s true sparkle comes from. That’s what we’ve witnessed all these years that we’ve known her.

Ryan & Ashley – despite the difficulties that will come & and joyous moments you will experience, may you rejoice always, pray continually & give thanks in all circumstances.

To your marriage, may the sparkle never fade!