This weekend I gave a speech at my buddy’s wedding. It was received really well and I thought it’d be fun to honor them here as well!

Here’s to Mr. and Mrs. James Krueger!

Hi, I’m Justin. I’m James’ video gaming wingman and real-life friend for the past 6 years. We have similar passions – being left alone and playing video games. He and I are alike – we need our alone time to recharge. Did anyone here ever hear the classic Patrice O’Neal stand up bit about men wanting to be alone? He said, “Ladies, men want to be alone… but we don’t want to be by ourself.” It makes sense if you’re a guy. I won’t get into that.

James and Faith remind me of someone from my past, my grandparents, Ray & Lucille. I’ll clarify why I’m telling you this in a little bit.

James is quiet and happy. He does what is necessary to excel in life. He was a highlight employee at Menards (which I’m sure you know that’s where the bride and groom met), he took his studies seriously and was at the top of his class in trade school, and he is rapidly becoming a stellar electrician. James is open about his love for his family, level-headed and cool as a cucumber. Now on the other hand, the lady in white…

Faith is a fire that never goes out. She pushes and presses and bounces off the walls. She is never satisfied and she is quickly learning how to apply this energy in her work life and is rising the ranks incredibly fast. She presses James and instigates healthy social interactions for him, she gets him out of the house and not only does it bless James, but it blesses everyone that gets to know him better for it. Faith pushes to make things better. She has new projects and dreams all the time, she is ever improving herself, her home and her relationship. She may be tiny, but James found a counterweight in a Menards checkout aisle a few years ago.

My words to the bride and groom:

John F Kennedy famously said, “Do not pray for easy lives, pray to be stronger men.”
An easy life is a boring one. An easy relationship is an unrewarding one. Flames shape iron. Do not fear difficulties, embrace them together. Do you want to be worried and weak or do you want to be tested and strong?

Do not rely on yourself to solve every problem, lean on each other. If you turn towards each other when things get tough, you will grow, strengthen and bless each other more than you can imagine. Resist the urge to offer a cold shoulder or turn away from your spouse.

FORGIVE, FORGIVE, FORGIVE.
Don’t tolerate poor behavior, but never hold a grudge against your person.

James, continue to learn to communicate your wishes and how things make you feel, and Faith, don’t assume James understands you when you tell him how you feel. When it comes to feelings and men, it’s best if you explain things with small words and preferably infographics or picture books.

Why do James and Faith remind me of my grandparents? Grandpa was level-headed and cool as a cucumber, and Grandma was the fire that made that family work. They were married 65 years before they both passed away.

A beautiful love story written over decades, the beginning of another, starts
today.

JPK & FMVK 10-19-2024