For those who weren't there, the following was what I had the privilege of saying last Friday at the rehearsal dinner for the wedding of Brian Leuschen and Susie Dobel. It was pretty distilled—no jokes, no roasting, but absolutely true:
I've known Brian since 1990, so for those of you who don't know Brian: if you're a guy, Brian embodies just about every quality you want to see in yourself. And if you're a girl, then you want to be Susie. The reason is pretty simple—Brian is a true gentleman.
What does it mean to be a true
gentleman? When I think about it—when I try to think about all of
the true stories I know, it's not about a list of stories that prove
with great gusto anything about Brian. It's more about all of the
stories that simply don't prove otherwise. Brian isn't one to sell
you as a gentleman, a guy who's going to charm you in public just for
the sake of appearance. Time and time again, Brian has simply proven
that he is who he is. You couldn't ask for a better husband.
As for Susie, my memory of our first
meeting is pretty hazy—Brian had a party a few years ago, and Susie
was there. But in the time that we have spent together since, I have
known Susie to be beautiful, fun, and sweet. Brian seems to think the same and more. And that's all I have to know. Brian and
Susie make a great couple, and that's what matters.
So everyone lift your glass: here's to
Brian, Susie, a beautiful day tomorrow, and a long and happy
marriage. Cheers.
