"Hi...

Okay.. [people laughed at my nervousness! How mean!] As some of you may or may not know, there is someone really special to the bride and groom who couldn't make it here today. Lib Turnock, grandmother of the bride, my grandmother as well, passed away last week.

For as long as I can remember, every weeknight at 6 PM our grandmother made the family supper. It is not surprising in his *8 year* long reign as Carolyn's boyfriend that Clint made it to a number of those meals.

Now Clint changed the whole dynamics of dinner, even before it began. Clint was the ONLY one who did not drink my grandmother's ice tea with his meal. So instead, my grandmother would make him a tall glass of chocolate milk. When setting the table, Grandma quickly learned that with Clint, the standard silverware and plate, wasn't enough. So she got in the habit of putting a big bottle of ketchup right in front of his plate. And typically she put a bottle of hot sauce there as well.

Now when you stepped back and looked at the table, you see all these ice teas and Clint's chocolate milk. And the first thing you notice is a bright red bottle of ketchup.. and a bright red bottle of Texas Pete. Clint's place at that table stuck out. But Clint... Clint belonged at that table. He felt like family. In fact, I can't think of a time when he didn't feel like family.

A few months ago I asked my grandmother if she had any thoughts or advice for Carolyn and Clint on their wedding day. All she said was, "OH, I never worry about Carolyn and Clint, they'll take care of each other." Well, Carolyn and Clint, I know, I have no doubt, that her words will hold true.. and that you will always take care of each other. You have something special..something remarkable.. and to that I say, 'Congratulations'"