My Best Friend's Wedding

Me and the Mrs.

My best friend is officially married! Her and her husband tied the knot on Saturday, February 21st in Puerto Rico. Yup, best friends getting married the same year. We didn't plan it that way. She met her man first. She was engaged first. We're both dating men who are four years younger than us! We both lived with our men before tying the knot. There are a lot of similarities and parallels in our lives and I'm so thankful that she has planned her wedding first so that now she can help me, haha. She should've had a blog for all those Latina brides to be out there. She had a lot of wonderful cultural aspects to her wedding--the food was authentic Puerto Rican food, right down to the pig on the spit (yummy pig!), the plena band, the coquito (an alcoholic drink that looks like pina colada), the yummy merengue favors, and the garter belt with the Puerto Rican flag on it.

The wedding was beautiful and there were many tears shed. And now she is officially my Matron of Honor. The word "matron" sounds so old. I was her maid of honor, along with her sister who was the Madrina of the wedding (they don't really do the whole "maid of honor" in PR). I'm doing the same thing--my sister is also my maid of honor.

But back to the wedding--it was awesome! I was so tired, though. The bridesmaid dress wasn't too tight (I gained a little weight since I bought it in April), but the shoes hurt something awful. Thank the Lord I brought flip flops with me for later.

Boricua, Morena (okay reverse that)

The wedding ceremony was in Spanish, so thankfully we rehearsed the day before so that I had my cues when to sit and stand. I have a basic comprehension of Spanish, and am used to people speaking Spanish around me. I can usually get the gist of conversations, but speeches and sermons are a different story. At the reception, the best man did his speech in Spanish and although I couldn't understand it, it was so touching to watch him cry while giving the speech. I didn't cry when I gave my speech! Which is surprising to me because every time I sat down to write it, I got teary-eyed. Is this what happens when you get older? I never used to get so teary-eyed and now I could be watching a touching commercial and the water works start. I thought I would cry, but I didn't--probably because of the nerves. But she cried! Woohoo! Yes, I am happy that I made her cry. That means I've got skillz, y'all!

I wanted to share my speech with you--maybe you'll cry, who knows?

"Hello everyone. For those of you who don’t know, Mrs. C and I met in our freshman year at college. Over these past 13 years we’ve shared the laughter, tears, and growing pains of becoming women. We’ve become more than friends, Mrs. C is my sister, my heart, and I’d do anything for her.

It’s because Mrs. C is the most caring person I know, always ready to put the needs of those she loves before herself. It’s because Mrs. C is passionate, when she loves something or someone she gives all of her heart. It’s because Mrs. C is strong, like her mother. And don’t let the little package she comes in fool you. Mrs. C is definitely someone you want to have in your corner.

Over the years I’ve hoped and wished for Mrs. C to be blessed with a man with these three qualities, someone caring, someone passionate, and someone strong. It takes a very special man to be with a woman like Mrs. C. Mr. C is the man I’d been hoping would come along. In Mr. C she’s found someone who’s not afraid of her strength, she’s found someone who, when she’s tired of being strong, is there as her rock. In Mr. C she’s found someone just as passionate and caring. When I first met Mr. C it was so obvious to me how much he loves Mrs. C, I’ve never seen a man love her the way that Mr. C does.

For Valentine’s day last year Mr. C bought me a plane ticket to take a trip with Mrs. C here to Puerto Rico to do some girly wedding planning. Mrs. C and I don’t get to see each other too often and he wanted her to have some bonding time with her best friend. In my book, any man who gives such thoughtful and heartfelt gifts, especially gifts that include me, is a keeper. And Mr. C, just remember that Mrs. C and I were supposed to take a trip together this year to celebrate our 30th birthdays—but we couldn’t because you guys were getting married. So start saving up for our 35th!

I know that Mrs. C and I, our friendship will continue to grow and last a lifetime. I know that Mr. and Mrs. C are going to grow old and gray together. You guys faced many obstacles to get to this day, including the flooding of your condo, but all of these things were a test: there’s nothing that the two of you can’t get through together. Remember the vows that have united you today and remember to never let anything come between the unit that has been formed today. And remember that you are both loved, Mr. C for loving Mrs. C the way you do, I love you. And Mrs. C, my best friend, I love you. Congratulations!"

Well, the roles will soon be reversed. I will probably cry when she gives her speech to me, but I'm willing to bet that she's going to cry, too. Bring on the waterproof mascara!