An East Coast Wedding | The Design Story

October 3rd, 2013

Many of you have heard our story, and many of you have not…. so I’ll try to add some flair for this very special occasion & lucky for you all I’ve chosen to spare you (but mostly Mitch) from all of our 5 inside jokes we like to tell every time we’re in a room together…

Our story goes all the way back to Mr. Howell’s 6th grade home room at Van Hoosen Middle School. Eminem's ‘My Band’ was hot off the press, and I recall sitting at a table of Brewster Elementary School friends discussing the latest music videos released on MTV that week. Across the room sat Jackie with her hair slicked back in a pony so tight, there wasn’t a single hair out of place. Divided by cliques and hairstyles, we might’ve been a classroom apart, but that was soon to change.

One morning, I walked up to the front of the class to sharpen my pencil when a voice around my shoulder said the sharpener had broken and I should use hers. Turning around, I saw tight pony girl had gone so as far as getting out of her seat and come to bring me her handheld sharpener out of her pencil case and smiled at me like she had something up her sleeve. I pushed my judgment aside and used the nerdy girl’s gesture to sharpen my pencil….

That afternoon during lunch period, pencil sharpener tight pony girl OUT OF NOWHERE asked if I’d like to come over after school, and I must admit, I was totally taken aback by her forward advance of friendship, and whether it was pity or admiration… my respect for this girl’s confidence had me soon agreeing to this spur of the moment playdate.

That afternoon, we went home to Independence Court and she yet again surprised me by going so far as asking if I’d perform in the talent show with her! The thought of the two of us dancing up next to the Rochester Redskin cheerleader clique had me so uncomfortable, I nearly cringed right out of my skin, but I too was a girl that liked attention and soon found myself agreeing YET AGAIN.

We spent the rest of that year attached at the hip in our North Face fleeces, racing home to sit on our LG flip phones while we watched room raiders and racked up crazy phone bills. Ultimately going so far as forcing each other to pick up the other’s sport… Jackie trying out for cheer and me attending basketball camp….. (!!!) We spent that summer at her grandma Flo’s sacred house on Higgins Lake where I got to meet her entire family, and where we’ve spent many summers since…

As I got to know Jaclyn, I found how genuinely authentic, hilarious and fearless she is, and quickly fell head over heels for her. She embraced me and saw me and chose me like no one ever had. The comfort she gives me to be my most authentic self, while also giving me shit for being that same authentic self is one of the best gifts of my life. She is loyal and loving, and our friendship has had its ups and downs, ins and outs, but what’s always held true is that true love and loyalty we have for one another, no matter the time, distance or intensity of a disagreement. We always come back for each other, love and accept each other for our faults and choose us. Through these trials is where our relationship has grown the most and where we’ve learned the most about ourselves and grown as individuals, and what’s adorable about that is I think that’s what marriage all is about.

This is where you come in Mitch! What I find funny is how closely my story aligns with yours. Jackie was so certain how she felt for you. She came on strong, and she knows exactly what she wants. She has that confidence about her, and that certainty, loyalty, and fierce unconditional love she gives to those lucky ones, and immediately sees you and loves and accepts you for who you are – all the obviously bad and good – it is so unbelievably special. It’s the kind of feeling that makes you feel invincible and it’s a bond that lasts forever, no matter the turbulence that comes your way. It’s her greatest gift, and I ask you cherish it like I know you do.

Mitch, I love seeing the way she loves and cares for you, and I am so grateful for the gentle, caring love you give her right in return. To see the vulnerable, goofy love you have is to see the love my best friend deserves. Thank you for loving and marrying my best friend, thank you for listening to our endlessly repeated 5 inside jokes, and thank you for being our forever pooky bear. I am so grateful for the opportunity to speak on what will be one of the best nights of my life, seeing the girl that’s given me everything’s happily ever after. Please raise your glasses and join me in cheersing my pencil sharpener tight pony girl and pooky bear’s marriage. I wish you a lifetime of love and happiness and the goofiest baby talk. I love you guys so much, now let’s have ourselves a night!!! Cheers to Mr. and Mrs. Silver!!