Paul James Troglia

Good afternoon, everyone.

On behalf of Justin and Megan, thank you all for being here today on beautiful Lake Winnebago to celebrate this wonderful occasion.

Looking around this venue, it's obvious Justin and Megan are surrounded by people who love them dearly―family and friends. All of you traveled from near and far to witness this moment. Your presence means the world to them.

And perhaps our lovely bride can feel the presence of family before her such as her grandfather, John, her great grandfather, Kenneth and great uncle, Eugene Lallier, who happened to be the first commodore of this Yacht Club, thus making it the perfect venue for her wedding day.

Today though is about more than the ceremony itself. It's about celebrating a relationship built on friendship, adventure, laughter, and a genuine appreciation for life.

But before we get to the glorious finale, I need to introduce myself. My name is Paul Troglia. I’m the older brother of the dashing groom. No, not his biologic brother. If I was, our mother would be in the Guiness Book of Records. No, we’re both members of an Italian-American fraternal organization in Milwaukee. Since we’re on the clock here, I’ll just say ‘Garibaldi Society’ if needed.

I am honored to be the secretary of the society. But I must say that honor was eclipsed when Justin asked me to officiate at his wedding. Frankly, I was flabbergasted. How could I be his officiant? I’m not a priest, chaplain, lawyer—heck, I’m not even a notary public. I have no authority at all, as my wife will testify. No problem said he, you simply register with AMM, the American Marriage Ministries. It’s recognized in every state and its members are certified to perform marriages. It’s on the up and up and offers guidance for novice marriage officiants. And I’ll heed that guidance so there’s no doubt when it’s over Justin and Megan are indeed married.

So, the first thing I’m supposed to do after introducing myself is to point out the bathrooms. But I think the ceremony will be over before you get back so I’ll forget that. The guide also says to remind guests to silence their phones. It would be quite an intrusion on the sanctity of the ceremony to hear a William Tell Overture ringtone go off as the couple is about to be pronounced ‘Husband and Wife.’

I’m also supposed to say something about what a marriage ceremony is and other sage advice. If I may use a bit of braggadocio, I’m qualified to do that as I’ve been married 48 years. I’m familiar with, how shall I say it, the ‘nuances’ of that arrangement. Bottom line: no matter if the ceremony has the pomp and circumstance of a royal wedding in a magnificent cathedral seen by millions on TV or it’s a rubber-stamped ‘Next!’ by a Justice of the Peace in a musty courthouse or even a drive-thru Vegas McWedding Chapel, the purpose is the same: To officially declare your love and tell the world this is the person you will cherish and be faithful to as you build a life together.

Next up is to give the invited guests ‘The Story’. What was the chain of events that led to this wonderful occasion? Well, it’s a good one.

THEIR STORY

Like many great stories, Justin and Megan's began at a historical time. People were starting to stick their noses out of their houses and reconnect with one another. Fresh out of the Covid pandemic, they met in Milwaukee at a place called The Outsider in 2020.

Of course, neither knew their casual meeting would blossom into what we celebrate today. But as they spent more time together, they discovered something remarkable. They were incredibly alike.

Both had energetic personalities that can best be described as "a little ADHD."

Both loved romanticizing "the old days."

Both loved being active, social, and finding ways to make ordinary days more fun.

Over the years, they built their relationship doing things they love most—snowboarding, skiing, golfing, camping, hiking, seeing cover bands, cooking together, spending time with friends and family, and creating countless memories along the way.

What makes their relationship special isn't any one activity. It's that no matter what they're doing, they have fun together.

Whether it’s on a ski hill, at a concert, on a hiking trail, or simply sitting on the couch watching TV, they've found something everyone hopes to find: Their favorite person.

THE PROPOSAL

Now, if you've spent enough time around Justin, you'll know that pulling off a surprise isn't his strongest skill. Which makes the proposal story even better.

The only way he could really surprise Megan was to propose on her birthday.

Megan had planned a trip to Chicago with friends, and Justin, that sly dog, secretly coordinated with everyone involved. As the group gathered along the Chicago Riverwalk, the ladies naturally wanted photos in their carefully selected outfits with their significant others.

And at the perfect moment, with friends nearby and Megan completely unaware, Justin dropped to one knee and popped ‘The Question.’ Thankfully, Megan said yes. Otherwise, this would be an entirely different event. And I would get a refund from the American Marriage Ministries.

THEIR VIEW ON MARRIAGE

Marriage isn't about finding someone who is perfect. It's about finding someone whose imperfections fit perfectly with your own. (But a word of caution here Justin. Never tell Megan what you think those imperfections might be. That’s one of those ‘nuances’ I mentioned before.)

It's finding someone who makes ordinary moments feel extraordinary.

It's having a teammate for life's adventures.

It's having someone to celebrate victories with and someone to lean on when times get tough.

It's finding the one person you still want to tell every story to, even when they’ve heard it three times.

The strongest marriages are built on friendship. And anyone who knows Justin and Megan knows friendship is the foundation of everything they’ve built together.

That is even confirmed in the Bible. In the Gospel of John, Jesus says something that is often misunderstood: Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends."

And first that sounds like a call to heroic sacrifice, and it is. But it also speaks to the everyday sacrifices that build a strong marriage. A successful marriage is not built on grand gestures alone. It is built on thousands of small choices: putting another person's needs alongside your own, offering patience when it's easier to be frustrated, extending grace when mistakes are made, and choosing your partner again and again through every season of life.

Justin and Megan, the love that brought you together is evident to everyone here today. But the love that will sustain your marriage for decades to come will be found in those daily acts of sacrifice, kindness, loyalty, and devotion. May your marriage be blessed with that kind of love—a love that gives generously, forgives freely, and grows stronger with each passing year.

So now that I’ve completed the preparation stuff, what do you say we get to the actual event. Justin and Megan, would you please stand and face each other.

DECLARATION OF INTENT

Justin, do you take Megan to be your wife, your best friend, your adventure partner, and your greatest supporter?

Do you promise to love her, encourage her, laugh with her, and stand beside her through all of life's seasons?

Justin: I do.

Megan, do you take Justin to be your husband, your best friend, your adventure partner, and your greatest supporter?

Do you promise to love him, encourage him, laugh with him, and stand beside him through all of life's seasons?

Megan: I do.

We’ll now do the Ring Exchange.

These rings are symbols of a sacred promise. A promise that has neither a beginning nor an end. A promise that says, "No matter where life takes us, we face it together."

Justin, please place the ring on Megan's finger and repeat after me:

Megan, with this ring,

I give you my love,

my trust,

and my commitment.

Today and always.

Megan, please place the ring on Justin's finger and repeat after me:

Justin, with this ring,

I give you my love,

my trust,

and my commitment.

Today and always.

Justin and Megan, Over the past six years, you have built a life filled with adventure, friendship, family, laughter, and love. Today is not the finish line. It is the starting line for your next chapter.

May you continue exploring together. May you never lose your sense of fun.

May you always make time for family and friends and continue to find joy in the simple things. And may you always remember the reason we’re here today—the love that brought you together and the commitment that will carry you forward.

Therefore, by the promises you’ve made before your family and friends, and by the authority vested in me by the State of Wisconsin, I now pronounce you Husband and Wife.

Justin, you may kiss your bride. Now it’s my turn. That’s not in the outline.

Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor and privilege to present to you for the very first time: Mr. and Mrs. Justin and Megan Dischler. Let's hear it for the newlyweds!