engagement and a toast

Dan and I went to Laura and Brad's engagement party a couple of weekends ago. (I am quite behind on our goings-on, haven't even got around to telling you about our trip to Niagara Falls last October, but that's another story for another day!) It was a great party, in a closed off room of a really warm and inviting pub in downtown Boston. To give it that "engagement" vibe, though, I decided that a speech was needed and somehow got the nerve to get the bartender to turn down the music, climb up on a bar chair, and deliver one. I sort of thought that after I got the ball rolling, others might have been inspired to give their own toasts, but since that didn't happen (maybe I just wasn't inspiring...), I was especially glad that I did say something to commemorate the night. And considering how nervous I was just to thank Neil--the groomsman who organized the party--and say a (very) few words, I have no idea how I'll manage in front of over 200 people at the wedding!! No drinking for me until after my wedding toast.

Anyway, for posterity's sake, here's basically what I said:

"I am so happy for you guys that you have found each other, and I am so happy for me that two of my very best friends have decided to spend their lives together. I hope that your marriage will be a fun and exciting and loving adventure, and knowing the two of you, I'm sure that it will be. I love you both."

After my toast, I also became the semi-official photographer, so here are a few pics of the happy couple and me.

And, as the night wears on, we get a little sillier...




And, then we get even sillier, as Dan--who always amazes me in his ability to work these kinds of parties and mingle with everyone--befriends two dorky guys from MIT over the subject of co-bots.... Don't ask, but it was awesome.