Maid of Honor Speech – Poem

My sister wrote me a perfect sonnet for my perfect wedding day
So it only seemed appropriate that I have one for her today.

Anna and I have always been close, well except for that small thing
Where she got caught on tape trying to kill young me because she “likes the way it swings”
And except for that other time, so long ago when it was my turn to play fetch 
But instead of handing young me the stick, she threw it at me. Like a betch.

But other than those we were inseparable, and it was truly the delight of my life
To grow up sharing a childhood and room with Andy’s new beautiful wife.
From the pet net, to the booger wall, to Barbies and Bratz, and the tights that we both despised 
So much that we tied them into a rope, “So we can escape in a fire” we lied.

We shared these shenanigans for so many years and I admired Anna as each passed.
She was and is outgoing, beautiful, persistent, smart, and a smartass.
And though we yelled and fought as well, I even loved the way
That our arguments shaped our relationship too. She’s the reason I’m me today.

Teachers loved you, so I had to be good so that they would love me too.
You did theatre in high school, and even though I was young, I wanted to act with you.
I remember times when I acted selfishly, and your response was selfless and kind. 
I was the shadow, matching your steps, but it was on YOU the sun shined.

You are bubbly, trusting, trustworthy, and sweet. A total catch to boot.
She’s been told she’s the “sprinkles on the HR cupcake”. Don’t worry Andy, we’re getting to you.
My only worry for Anna until now was her seeming poor choice in men,
But this is a speech about where you’re going, not the places that you’ve been.

So Thank God. Thank Heaven. Thank Christ our Savior. That today I can stand here and sigh
With relief that as I proclaim happiness on this couple, I will not have to lie.
When she first spoke of Andy, her cheeks lit up. “He sings and he acts!” Her grin was brilliant.
And in the first picture she showed me of him, he was looking at her like she’s 1 in a billion.

She has finally found someone who is what SHE needs, not someone asking her to change.
Andy is loving and silly and fun and indulgent and just the right amount of strange.
He plays along with her Tik Tok videos. He takes funny pictures on a whim.
He plays piano so beautifully. And I hope you’ve all heard Anna sing with him. 

Andy, don’t stress, you two make a great team. No matter what, you’ll come out on top.
Together you two are a force of good nature that no one and nothing can stop.
So go conquer the world, shape young minds, build soft skills, and anything other
Because you don’t need the shoulders of giants to stand on as long as you have one another.