j6snowman21
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In case you weren't there to witness it. Here is a copy of Evelyn's speech:
This was probably one of the most difficult things I’ve ever been asked to do… It’s not everyday that you’re given
the opportunity to reflect on the last 20+ years of your life… and then condense it all into a toast. But here I am…
and not only did I get to relive all those moments, now I get to share some of them with you.
Leena and I met when we were both either 6 or 7yrs old… in elementary school at KI Jones. From all outward
appearances, I don’t think we could have been any more different… But beneath it all, we became fast friends in
our own way… basing class assignments around our fantasy worlds and inside jokes, walking the half mile home
together after school, comparing notes on Saturday morning cartoons -- even getting up at the crack of dawn to
watch Dinosaucers or Thundercats, and of course sharing all kinds of birthdays and life events.
After a few years, my family moved out of the neighborhood and we ended up in different school districts. We
crossed paths again in high school, and haven’t lost touch since.
Back when it was still common to send letters via snail mail, we would write each other… constantly keeping tabs
on one another, and always being sure to use the most unique stationary we could find. If we couldn’t find worthy
stationary, it came down to whatever crazy chotchki or random THING we could squeeze into an envelope.
Between her frequent trips to Korea, and of course her legendary craft-consciousness rearing its head even back
then,… it was definitely a David vs. Goliath match-up.
Not that it was ever a competition. I just felt guilty that I couldn’t return the favor equally. Being a middle child, I
guess you grow up with a complex about keeping everything balanced and fair….
The summer after graduating high school though, I finally had my chance. As a graduation present, my parents let
me tag along with my older sister to Hong Kong who was heading out for a year abroad. I was also given some
spending money, to enjoy a little souvenir shopping.
Once I got there… what did I do with it? Spent nearly every dime …on stationary. Screw the cheap electronics,
pirated CDs, and knock-off clothes that said Poxy instead of Roxy… I wanted letter sets and notepads, colorful
cards cut into whimsical shapes, funky stickers of all different sizes and any scrap of paper with cutesy asian
cartoon characters spewing weird English phrases like “Friendship make a happiness double times…”
And despite the fact that my parents practically choked when they saw how much I came home with… just like
that, I FINALLY had an arsenal that could actually match the high standards of what Leena was already sending
me.
While letters gradually turned more to email… we still didn’t forget the chotchkis. THAT became its own
legendary tradition that continues on to this day. Rather than just one or two random bits though… it’s become an
entire box full. We literally exchange boxes chock full of JUNK…. And yet… it feels like Christmas every time I
open them up, each one more of a sentimental reminder of how far we’ve come together.
So after all these years, … here we are today…. Both happily married, despite the fact that we swore to each other
we would ultimately become hermit-esque bag ladies together, with our mountains of stationary, 80s cartoon
reruns, arts & crafts projects, and about 50 cats to keep us company.
But after having met Michael, and gotten to know him over the years… that is definitely one promise I’m more
than happy to break.
Michael, thank you for loving her for who she is – quirky idiosyncrasies and all, for being her perfect match in
everything you do, and for completing her in more ways than she’ll ever admit to or realize.
Leena, you’re a sister to me in so many ways. You have made the last 20+ years of my life so colorful and
extraordinary…. Thank you for being you, and for all your love and friendship.
Here’s raising a glass to you both -- Congratulations on your marriage, and for finding such joy in one another!
_MG_7652 copy
In case you weren't there to witness it. Here is a copy of Evelyn's speech:
This was probably one of the most difficult things I’ve ever been asked to do… It’s not everyday that you’re given
the opportunity to reflect on the last 20+ years of your life… and then condense it all into a toast. But here I am…
and not only did I get to relive all those moments, now I get to share some of them with you.
Leena and I met when we were both either 6 or 7yrs old… in elementary school at KI Jones. From all outward
appearances, I don’t think we could have been any more different… But beneath it all, we became fast friends in
our own way… basing class assignments around our fantasy worlds and inside jokes, walking the half mile home
together after school, comparing notes on Saturday morning cartoons -- even getting up at the crack of dawn to
watch Dinosaucers or Thundercats, and of course sharing all kinds of birthdays and life events.
After a few years, my family moved out of the neighborhood and we ended up in different school districts. We
crossed paths again in high school, and haven’t lost touch since.
Back when it was still common to send letters via snail mail, we would write each other… constantly keeping tabs
on one another, and always being sure to use the most unique stationary we could find. If we couldn’t find worthy
stationary, it came down to whatever crazy chotchki or random THING we could squeeze into an envelope.
Between her frequent trips to Korea, and of course her legendary craft-consciousness rearing its head even back
then,… it was definitely a David vs. Goliath match-up.
Not that it was ever a competition. I just felt guilty that I couldn’t return the favor equally. Being a middle child, I
guess you grow up with a complex about keeping everything balanced and fair….
The summer after graduating high school though, I finally had my chance. As a graduation present, my parents let
me tag along with my older sister to Hong Kong who was heading out for a year abroad. I was also given some
spending money, to enjoy a little souvenir shopping.
Once I got there… what did I do with it? Spent nearly every dime …on stationary. Screw the cheap electronics,
pirated CDs, and knock-off clothes that said Poxy instead of Roxy… I wanted letter sets and notepads, colorful
cards cut into whimsical shapes, funky stickers of all different sizes and any scrap of paper with cutesy asian
cartoon characters spewing weird English phrases like “Friendship make a happiness double times…”
And despite the fact that my parents practically choked when they saw how much I came home with… just like
that, I FINALLY had an arsenal that could actually match the high standards of what Leena was already sending
me.
While letters gradually turned more to email… we still didn’t forget the chotchkis. THAT became its own
legendary tradition that continues on to this day. Rather than just one or two random bits though… it’s become an
entire box full. We literally exchange boxes chock full of JUNK…. And yet… it feels like Christmas every time I
open them up, each one more of a sentimental reminder of how far we’ve come together.
So after all these years, … here we are today…. Both happily married, despite the fact that we swore to each other
we would ultimately become hermit-esque bag ladies together, with our mountains of stationary, 80s cartoon
reruns, arts & crafts projects, and about 50 cats to keep us company.
But after having met Michael, and gotten to know him over the years… that is definitely one promise I’m more
than happy to break.
Michael, thank you for loving her for who she is – quirky idiosyncrasies and all, for being her perfect match in
everything you do, and for completing her in more ways than she’ll ever admit to or realize.
Leena, you’re a sister to me in so many ways. You have made the last 20+ years of my life so colorful and
extraordinary…. Thank you for being you, and for all your love and friendship.
Here’s raising a glass to you both -- Congratulations on your marriage, and for finding such joy in one another!