John G. Most

Welcome family and friends.

Joy and Dave feel fortunate that you have come from near and far to join in the celebration of their new life together.

Your presence is very important, because each of you has contributed something precious

to their lives.

Each of you are part of their own personal family and not only by relation, because ultimately,

friends are the family we choose.

Joy & Dave have known most of you for many years or their entire lives.

You watched them grow up or have grown up with them. You went to school with them, or you worked with them.

You are the ones who have supported them and known them so well.

It is only fitting that you are here today

to share this moment with them.

This is a very special day for me too as I have one more item off my personal bucket list…being part of a wedding party. So, thank you both for giving me this wonderful part in your day.

I’ve known Joy for 34 years.

We’ve been through the best and worst together. We have celebrated life’s high points together and also shared the pain and tears that life’s tragedies can surprise us.

While we have lived next to each other all this time, Joy has generously described our relationship as, “more family than neighbors.”

When we first met, Troy was about as tall

“as here”---an amazing friendly, happy young boy.

Now Troy towers over me and is a great father and followed his mom’s path to Proctor & Gamble where he is an undeniable success.

And then there is Dawn, oh, she’s going to kill me because she’s heard me say more times than I’m sure she’d like …but I was there to hold her the day she was born.

Dawn has been babysat by our daughter and was the babysitter for our other daughter.

A great internship to be a Mom. And what a role model she has had in Joy as a successful businesswoman.

And then Joy brought this amazing guy, Dave,

into all of our lives. And what a blessing that has been.

I’ve always said that it’s hard to believe

that Dave is not only the groom today…

but also the best man. You could not have done better any Joy.

Today, begins what Joy and Dave refer to as

the next chapter of a very wonderful story

in their lives…and as we all know,

every great story… like Joy and Dave’s

always begins with, “Once upon a time…”

Who would ever think that in a time where everyone was being told to stay away, ---Joy and Dave came together.

It was four years ago…in the COVID era—a time we all remember too well.

A brief conversation and a wonderful date at Del Friso’s became the start of something special.

Many of you have seen their relationship grow: either in person or via Facebook where Joy regularly memorializes her wonderful adventures with Dave.

Travels to Hawaii, Europe, Golf with the Corfu Crew, Skiing, celebrating birthdays with family and with friends and visits with grandkids in Paso Robles or deep in the Heart of Texas.

For me, I’ve also witnessed their love.

I’ve played golf with them, been out to dinners; plays, comedy nights, the Corfu Christmas

and I’ve always seen how caring, supportive, and attentive Dave is.

And how Joy loves holding hands with Dave anytime they are together …even in public.

And “that look” that they reserve just for each other. What was the song? … “The Look of Love”?

In preparing for the ceremonial part of this wedding celebration, I reflected on all I have observed and what Joy and Dave have shared with me…on what it is that you love about each other.

(To Dave)

Dave, you are the true and consummate gentleman in every sense of the word.

And gentlemen are hard to find in today’s world.

Your wit and ability to deliver just the insanely “right line” or “Dave-isms” …at just the right moment… has become legendary.

Your generosity of spirit and easy-going nature, your complete and utter love for Joy is apparent …every moment of the day ---in large and in small ways.

Joy loves that you blend in so comfortably

with her family. I know I will never forget

seeing the smile on your face

and the honor that beamed from your smile

as you recalled how Joy’s grandkids had already started to call you, “Grandpa Dave”.

Joy sees in you as a funny, kind, and sweet man. And she thinks you are so handsome….

(To Joy)

Joy…oh, does Dave love you.

I see it in almost every moment he is with you.

He loves your brilliant mind, your smile, and your beauty inside and out. He loves how you plan your travel adventures ---as he plans your other romantic moments.

Dave loves that you “get him” and that you both fit like a hand in a glove.

And Dave has said on more than one occasion that you are, …“the love of his life.”

I love how Joy speaks of “choosing” Dave…

and of Dave having “chosen” her.

Every day, you will make choices.

• You will choose whether to be kind

and patient with one another.

• You will choose to communicate

with one another.

• You will choose to listen to

and hear one another.

• You will choose whether to find fault…

or to be forgiving.

It requires great trust and faith to pledge oneself with another person.

You will bear each other’s burdens,

as well as share in each other’s joys.

Marriage is a sincere and mutual commitment :

to love each other and work towards creating an atmosphere of care, consideration, and respect…

all of which …can make each day …come alive.

It has been said that "Two hearts in love need no words."

But nevertheless, we come now to those important words that Joy, Dave…and we…

want to hear the most today...

the words that will carry you as husband and wife

into your new chapter.

Joy and Dave, this is your time...

a very special time.

Please turn and face one another joining hands.

Marriage is the clasping of hands,

the blending of hearts,

and the union of two lives into one.

For today as the two of you pledge to love

and care for one another in marriage,

you are creating a spirit between yourselves,

that will bind you closer

than any spoken or written word.

Dave, please repeat after me...

I choose you,

to be my wife.

I will share my life with yours,

and build our dreams together,

Support you through times of trouble,

and rejoice with you,

in times of happiness.

I promise to give you,

love, respect and loyalty.

This commitment

is made in love,

kept in faith,

lived in hope.

and made new,

every day of our lives. I do

Joy, please repeat after me...

I, choose you,

to be my husband,

I will share my life with yours,

And build our dreams together,

Support you through times of trouble,

and rejoice with you,

in times of happiness.

I promise to give you,

love, respect and loyalty.

This commitment

is made in love,

kept in faith,

lived in hope,

and made new,

every day of our lives

The personal vows which each of you have carefully and thoughtfully crafted

and are about to exchange …

serve as an expression of the love you pledge to each other…for it is not the words which you speak today that will bind you together as one,

but the inner sense of love and commitment

that each of you feel within your soul. I do

And now, I ask each of you to share your personal vows…Joy

• Joy reads her vows

Dave, you’ve got to follow that… Please proceed…

• Dave reads his vows

Just perfect, Dave…

And now for the rings? The rings. Weston! May I have the rings? Great job.

Rings are an ancient simple symbol:

Round like the sun-----like the eye,

like arms that embrace.

Circles, for love that is given,

comes back around again and again.

May these gifts,

these symbols

remind you that your love,

like the sun… illuminates;

that your love,

like the eye… must see clearly;

and that your love,

like arms that embrace,

is a grace upon this world.

As often as either of you

look upon these rings,

may you be reminded of this moment

and the love that you have promised.

Dave, please place your ring on Joy’s finger

and repeat after me:

"With this ring,

I choose you as my wife,

and pledge my constant faith

and enduring love”.

Joy, please place your ring on Dave’s finger

and repeat after me:

"With this ring,

I choose you as my husband,

and pledge my constant faith

and enduring love".

Everyone has advice for newlyweds.

And I offer these good wishes to you

on your special day…

from a very special place in my heart …

and for all those who are gathered here today.

• May your life together be overflowing

with prosperity and good health.

• May you always share open

and honest communication

between each other.

• May you cherish the people in the family

you have brought together.

• May all the years to come

be filed with moments of celebration

and a daily renewal … of your love.

• May your love be a life-long source

of excitement, contentment,

affection and devotion to one another.

Before I formally and officially declare your marriage…Dave.

(Give Dave the “final rose”)

I do have a very hope filled prediction…

“…and they lived, happily, ever after…”

And so now, by the power vested in me

by the State of California

and The World Wide Web,

it is my honor and delight… to declare you …husband and wife.

You may seal this declaration with a kiss.

Friends and family, I am honored to present

for the very first time, the newlyweds,

Mr. and Mrs. Meis.