This Is It
A Toast to Daniel and Emily
The inspection period is over
Due diligence is complete
The Title Binder came back clean
The survey is printed out neat
The earnest money is in escrow
The parties agreed on the date
The tax prorations are figured out
The brokers can hardly wait
Closing is set for tomorrow
They’re ready to commit
As we said on the invitation
This is really it
Now it didn’t always look like
We would make it here tonight
It’s been on and off again through the years
But now the time is just right
So let me tell you the story
That began many years ago
When these two first knew each other
As kids on Sterling Road
Daniel was eleven
And Emily thought he was cool
When he moved into the neighborhood
And transferred to Mountain Brook School
Emily was just a block away
And Daniel thought she looked fine
He even sent her flowers
And asked her to be his valentine
But they just flirted for many years
Until they got to 10th grade
She drove Daniel to school each day
And he began wanting to date
She finally broke up with a boyfriend
He thought the moment was right
But Emily made him wait awhile
Before agreeing to go out one night
They dated through junior and senior years
And through the first year of college
Then Daniel moved to Boulder
Things got harder they both acknowledge
They stayed together for over a year
But from 1,000 miles away
Time and distance pulled them apart
They finally called it a day
They both dated other people
And tried to move along
But it must be that deep inside
Their love continued strong
Emily went to Australia
Then moved back to Birmingham
I don’t think she ever believed at the time
She’d be dating Daniel again
After college Daniel took off
To cruise the Bahamas with me
He said he loved being single
Romance was just not to be
But perhaps in those days on the ocean
Something was beginning to change
Because shortly after we got home
He and Emily were back on again
A year later he was thinking marriage
Things just seemed headed that way
And here we are at Lake Martin
Tomorrow is their wedding day
My mother Virginia is here tonight
And she recalls the day in May
In New York in 1945
When they celebrated VE Day
They were going out to celebrate
My Dad asked a good friend along
John Abernethy joined them
For a night of dance and song
Now who could have ever imagined
That night 60 years ago
They both would have grandchildren
Who would be getting married tomorrow
So perhaps this began many years ago
As a gleam in their grandparents eyes
Or perhaps it goes back to the sixth grade
When Daniel first kissed his future bride
Or perhaps it began in high school
When their dating really began
Or perhaps it began in 2003
When they got back together again
Regardless of when this journey began
They’ve reached a milestone now
And we’re all happily gathered here
To watch them take their vows
So drink up, enjoy the party
But don’t stay out too late
The closing is tomorrow
And we all need to look great
Please join me as I raise my glass
To toast the groom and bride
As they set out together
Traveling side by side
Had I a wish to give you
As we celebrate tonight
It would not be only happiness
But that love keep burning bright
What I would wish for both of you
As you go down life’s road
Is that you always have each other
To help you carry the load
Here’s to you Daniel and Emily
To your future as husband and wife
May respect and love bind you together
Tonight and the rest of your life
John Samford
October 14, 2005