August 5, 2001
Beaver Island, Charlevoix County, Michigan
Charlevoix County,
Michigan Marriage Certificate
Antinori Family
Paul Jr. and Louise Bonski Antinori
Ron Sr. and Susan
Antinori
Ron Jr. and Denise Antinori (Telli Marie and Michael Vincenzo at
home)
Michael Antinori
Paul III, Maria Di Siena Antinori, and Jessika Rose
Antinori (17.5 months)
Camille Antinori and Gary Casterline
Kayne family
Herb and Phylis Kayne
Grandmother Townsend (90
yrs)
Thea Kayne
Family Friends
Jon and Sarah LeCroy
Eli
Aaron Ruben
Hendrick and
Annette
Lisa
Laura and Tom
Good afternoon everyone. I'm Paul and it is my pleasure to be Max’s best man today. I am very honored, Thank you.
First of all, before I begin, please allow me to be the first to officially congratulate my brother Max and my new sister-in-law Laurel. A round of applause, please.
When Maria and I were married 3 years ago, my brother Max was my best man at our wedding, and he gave a very sincere and memorable wedding speech. I thought it was the high point of our wedding reception. This time our roles are reversed, and it was my turn to come up with the wedding speech. I was surprised to find how much preparation is required to do this in front of so many people.
As brothers, we have had many adventures together.
A few years ago, Max and I took a fishing trip to Montana. Max was very diligent to pack the correct equipment for camping and hiking in grizzly bear country. And, we were warned to wear tiny bells on our clothing when hiking in Glacier National Park. The bells warn away most bears and alert them to our presence, lest we startle and anger them. We were are also cautioned to watch the ground on the trail, paying particular attention to any bear droppings which may alert us to the presence of Grizzly Bears. Evidently, one can tell the Grizzly Bear droppings because they have tiny bells in them and smell like pepper spray. Needless to say, we hardly slept a wink all night alone in our respective one man tents at the campsite. Max was happy with the arrangement in the case that I was mauled while sleeping, he would be able to make a successful getaway while the bear was busy munching on me.
Another time, Max and Laurel, Maria and myself, and my father, took a sailing cruise on his boat, called the “Ludvika” to the Isle of Shoals, which is an island off of the coast of Kittery, Maine where there is a light house. When we anchored in the island harbor, we used the inflatable dinghy to ferry ourselves to the dock. The outboard motor was stowed away, so we were just using the oars to row ourselves to the dock. Max and Laurel boarded the dinghy first, and Laurel took to the oars and started rowing to the dock, with Max sitting back and happily enjoying the ride. On their return to the sail boat, Laurel was eagerly rowing as well. My father remarked humorously, “Look at that Max, Can you believe he’s letting her row both ways! He’s always been a bit lazy!” When confronted with this remark, Max replied, Hey, she wanted to row, so I let her row!” Max is a true man of the millennium.
For those of you who haven't heard how these two met yet, I haven’t heard all the details either. But I can just guess that it went down something like this, being as Max is an Antinori man.
Max, acting foreman of the “sweatshop” of Tom Snyder Educational CD Rom software company, was walking through the halls doing his rounds of the employees. He came upon Laurel, who had caught his eye many times before on occasion. Laurel looks up at Max, coyly smiles, and promptly returns to her work. After months of this same routine, Max finally gets the courage one day and leaves a note on her desk. “May I have the honor of your hand in marriage” proclaims the note. Laurel was heartily acceptable, but mentions, “You will need to met my father first.” <SCRATCH CHIN> On second thought, I don’t think it was like this at all. This is actually the story of my great grand parents in Tampa, Florida.
Well, however way they met, it seems that Max and Laurel were fated to be together, and that is why we are here today. I am very happy that Max will be as happy as I am being married to a wonderful woman.
Anyway, that’s enough of my ramblings for now.
On behalf of the bride and groom, I would like to thank everyone here for sharing in this unique and special day, particularly those who have traveled long distances.
Ladies and Gentlemen, may I now ask you to stand, and it gives me great
pleasure to ask you to raise your glasses in a toast to Max and Laurel. We wish
them well for the future, and hope they enjoy a long, happy, and fruitful
marriage.