Maid-Of-Honor
Wedding -
Poem
Information provided:
My younger sister is getting married in September. I have struggled
to find just the right words for her toast. We are almost exactly 24
months apart in age. Growing up, people always remarked on how
different we looked; she is darker complexioned, I am fair. We may
not have looked alike, but what a bond we had. In our school years,
we were pretty much on our own, getting ourselves off in the morning
and the long walk to the bus stop. She was always more academic than
I and would do assignments weeks in advance. I remember one time she
had a project done way in advance and the day it was due, she left
it on the kitchen table. I ran all the way home to get it for her,
and when I got back to the bus stop…she had held the bus and would
not get on it without me. We had a cat called Snowball, and we loved
our family vacations to Disney World. We shared a close bond with
our grandparents who lived in South Philadelphia. We would hang out
on our visits there, eating water ice and stick pretzels from Pop’s
luncheonette. Each New Year’s day, we would watch the Mummers parade
down Broadway.
There was a time we couldn’t bend over ‘cause we’d cut our shorts
too high.
Gina left for college in the Fall of 1995 to attend S. Joe’s
University; close to home and close enough to grandma’s to eat her
good food share some laughter. On one visit home, she came home as
Ginamarie, her full birth name. I teased her a lot about that: "All
of a sudden you’re no longer Gina?!?!”
A few years back Gina traveled for work and told me she’d met a guy
in Munich, Germany. On a visit home she showed me an e mail from
him, and she laughed and laughed….I didn’t get it…but I thought…this
could be “the one”. She made the tough choice to leave her family,
friends and her beloved Philadelphia to live with him in Germany.
Here is the
Poem
it generated:
Almost two years apart are we.
I’m fair and you have dark hair.
We may not have looked alike at all.
But, we were an inseparable pair
Our appearance wasn’t the only way
We were different most would agree.
Since you were more academic;
School was not my cup of tea.
You did your assignments ahead of time,
Sometimes weeks before they were due.
To be on top of your schoolwork
Was so very important to you.
You left your homework at home one day.
But, I ran back to get it for you.
And you wouldn’t let the bus pull away
‘Til I could get on it, too!
As sisters we share a special bond
that no one else can know.
Snowball, the cat, and Disney trips
That seem so long ago.
Remember those weekends at grandma’s house?
Philadelphia was a fun place to be.
Eating water ice and stick pretzels from Pop’s
We had such fun, didn’t we?
Each New Year, we would stand on Broadway
And watch the Mummers pass by.
In the summers, we couldn’t bend over
‘Cause our shorts were cut way too high!
But, then you left us for college
in the fall of ’95.
I couldn’t believe that you left me.
How was I supposed to survive?
But, thank God, St. Joe’s was your preference;
Close to home and grandmom, as well.
You had some laughs and good food to eat;
As far as we can tell.
And, when did you become Ginamarie?
We thought Gina was a good name.
How long did I tease you about the change
‘Cause I thought it was really lame?
Then, your job caused you to travel
And in Germany you spent some time.
On a visit home, you told me about
This guy who was stuck in your mind.
You showed me some e mails he sent you.
And you laughed at his charm and his wit.
I didn’t see what the fuss was about
But, I did know that this could be “it”.
So, the choice was tough, but you made it;
To Germany my love I will send.
‘Cause, Gina, you’re not just my sister,
You’re also my very best friend.
Happy Wedding. Happy Life.
I love you!
Testimonial:
Thank you so much for giving me the perfect poem. I love it! You
said it all in a special way.
-Kara-Thornton-Basedow