11-02-2024, 10:49 AM
(This post was last modified: 11-02-2024, 10:50 AM by Rachel Shale.)
Rachel took a sip of her champagne and then took the microphone from Jeremy. Rachel didn’t like talking to big groups, but she alleviated her fear by recognizing that for most of her toast, she would be talking to her sister and brother-in-law. Emily looked up at her, an encouraging smile on her face.
Rachel took a deep breath and began. ”It has been a rough year for our family. Ever since mom and dad d…” Rachel’s voice trailed off as she froze. Her mind stopping her to tell her she hadn’t fully processed this yet. Rachel’s eyes flicked to the table where two bouquets of flowers sat at empty chairs. In reality, seconds passed, but to Rachel they felt like minutes. Time reverted to normal as she felt Emily wrap her in a hug.
A hand stroked the back of her head. Another person hugged her from behind. Mara had joined them. ”it’s okay. It’s gonna be okay.” the microphone was close enough that it should have picked up Emily’s voice, but it didn’t. The DJ had the foresight to mute the microphone, giving them some privacy. Rachel could feel tears starting to well up, but they didn’t come.
”I feel a little embarrassed.” Rachel said after a few moments.
”Don’t be. This is my wedding - my opinion is the only one that matters.” this elicited a brief laugh from Rachel. ”Im gonna hold on for a little bit longer. I need this too.” this was the first family gathering since their parents had died, and together, the three sisters took a moment to mourn that they weren’t here. ”you don’t have to do this if you don’t want to.”
”I want to.”
Emily released Rachel took her face her hands, moving Rachel’s head to look into her eyes. ”You good?”
Rachel nodded and Emily took her seat again. Rachel turned to give Mara a quick hug before her younger sister went back to her table. Emily took her hand as she raised the microphone to speak. ”Sorry everyone,” she said, taking a moment to compose herself. ”Ever since mom and dad died, I’ve felt a little lost. So I did what I always did. I looked up to my older sister. I know she tried to hide it, but I saw how sad she was and how scared. Like me, she had lost her parents, but on top of that, she received a great weight of picking up their legacy. But as I continued to watch - I saw her change . Over the past year, I saw my sister turn from an overwhelmed, frightened, and insecure person to a strong, confident, and bold woman. I see this and can only think that even though mom and dad aren’t her in this room today.” The tears began to lightly fall. ”They are watching from above and smiling. Proud of the amazing woman their daughter has become. Even though they aren’t physically here. They live on in you - I see dad every time you talk to a client. And every time you tell me I’m being a stupid idiot, I hear mom’s voice. Just remember mom wouldn’t say it like that though.” this got a laugh from the crowd and Emily squeezed her hand. ”Theyd be proud of you as I’m proud to call you my sister. Jared - you make her so very happy. There was a time I never thought I’d see my sister truly smile again. But she hasn’t stopped since she met you. I can tell how much you love her and how much she returns that love to you.” she raised her glass. ”I love you both. To a million lifetimes - to Emily and Jared.”
Once again glssses clinked as the toast was repeated and drank. Emily stood and once again wrapped her sister in a hug. ”Love you sis!”
”Love you too!”
They broke apart, Emily giving her another smile. Rachel could see she had a few tears too. Jared gave her a hug as well. Rachel smiled and took her seat feeling like a weight had lifted in the moment.
Rachel took a deep breath and began. ”It has been a rough year for our family. Ever since mom and dad d…” Rachel’s voice trailed off as she froze. Her mind stopping her to tell her she hadn’t fully processed this yet. Rachel’s eyes flicked to the table where two bouquets of flowers sat at empty chairs. In reality, seconds passed, but to Rachel they felt like minutes. Time reverted to normal as she felt Emily wrap her in a hug.
A hand stroked the back of her head. Another person hugged her from behind. Mara had joined them. ”it’s okay. It’s gonna be okay.” the microphone was close enough that it should have picked up Emily’s voice, but it didn’t. The DJ had the foresight to mute the microphone, giving them some privacy. Rachel could feel tears starting to well up, but they didn’t come.
”I feel a little embarrassed.” Rachel said after a few moments.
”Don’t be. This is my wedding - my opinion is the only one that matters.” this elicited a brief laugh from Rachel. ”Im gonna hold on for a little bit longer. I need this too.” this was the first family gathering since their parents had died, and together, the three sisters took a moment to mourn that they weren’t here. ”you don’t have to do this if you don’t want to.”
”I want to.”
Emily released Rachel took her face her hands, moving Rachel’s head to look into her eyes. ”You good?”
Rachel nodded and Emily took her seat again. Rachel turned to give Mara a quick hug before her younger sister went back to her table. Emily took her hand as she raised the microphone to speak. ”Sorry everyone,” she said, taking a moment to compose herself. ”Ever since mom and dad died, I’ve felt a little lost. So I did what I always did. I looked up to my older sister. I know she tried to hide it, but I saw how sad she was and how scared. Like me, she had lost her parents, but on top of that, she received a great weight of picking up their legacy. But as I continued to watch - I saw her change . Over the past year, I saw my sister turn from an overwhelmed, frightened, and insecure person to a strong, confident, and bold woman. I see this and can only think that even though mom and dad aren’t her in this room today.” The tears began to lightly fall. ”They are watching from above and smiling. Proud of the amazing woman their daughter has become. Even though they aren’t physically here. They live on in you - I see dad every time you talk to a client. And every time you tell me I’m being a stupid idiot, I hear mom’s voice. Just remember mom wouldn’t say it like that though.” this got a laugh from the crowd and Emily squeezed her hand. ”Theyd be proud of you as I’m proud to call you my sister. Jared - you make her so very happy. There was a time I never thought I’d see my sister truly smile again. But she hasn’t stopped since she met you. I can tell how much you love her and how much she returns that love to you.” she raised her glass. ”I love you both. To a million lifetimes - to Emily and Jared.”
Once again glssses clinked as the toast was repeated and drank. Emily stood and once again wrapped her sister in a hug. ”Love you sis!”
”Love you too!”
They broke apart, Emily giving her another smile. Rachel could see she had a few tears too. Jared gave her a hug as well. Rachel smiled and took her seat feeling like a weight had lifted in the moment.