My MOB Speech

Good evening loved ones, friends and relatives.

This is day of rejoicing for us and as we gather here today to celebrate the marriage of our daughter, Pam to Ky-Shen. Kenny and I thank you all for coming from near and far to share this special day with us - from India, Shanghai and Australia.

Tonight we are especially honoured by the presence of our new in-laws. Chun and Lee Ying, we thank you for raising good son for our daughter and Ky-Shen, we welcome you with open arms into our family and into our hearts.

It has been said that when your daughter marries a good man you have gained a son. Today we are overjoyed that we have gained a son. We are not losing our daughter but simply entrusting her to your care Ky-Shen. And we ask nothing of you but to take good care of our little girl, our greatest treasure on earth and our most precious gift to you.

Pam, you know how much your father and I love you. You are our special gift of love from God and we have nothing but the greatest hopes and blessings for your married life. You have always been a joy and blessing to us and I know that you’ll be a blessing to Ky-Shen and his family as much as Ky-Shen will be a blessing to you and to us.

Looking back, it’s amazing how swiftly the years have flown. I remember you Pam as a baby in my arms. I remember your first words - spectacles and cockroach. I'm probably cockroach and your Dee spectacles. Yes, you were a precocious and extraordinary child.

Then came those years when you were the most sought-after flower-girl in church. The next thing I knew I was spending hot, sunny afternoons and weekends driving you to tuition, piano and dancing classes. I will remember all those times but most of all I'll always remember the way you look tonight.

Among my treasure chest of memories I remember one day when you came back from school totally distraught because your friends had called you a liar. You had told them that your parents never fought and they did not believe you because all their parents fought!

'Bee, our dad and I are not perfect. We do have our differences but we have learned not to hurt one another by following the command in James 1:19 that says: “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”

Most conflicts would not even arise if only we would talk less and listen more. Always be careful with your words. You are the master of your words until they are spoken, then they become the master of you ... so let your conversation be always full of grace (Col. 4:6).

In the cartoon Bambi, Thumper’s parents taught him that “If you can't say something nice... don't say nothing at all.” We would be wise to heed that.

Respect one another because your spouse is fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God. We often fail to realize that you can have respect without love but you can’t have love without respect.

Finally if you really must have the last word, let it be “Darling, I’m sorry. Please forgive me."

Practise the JOY principle you learned as children in Sunday School. Put Jesus first, yourself last and the other in between and your home will always be a joy-filled, loving and peaceful haven.

Always honor this covenant of marriage you’ve entered into today. Be grateful for, cherish and nurture this precious gift of love you are bestowing on each other.

Claire Dempsey said, “To love is nothing. To be loved is something. To love and be loved is everything.” So, with that definition of “everything” we bless you both with everything as you begin life together.

The Lord bless you both with a family so blissful, prosperous and ever healthy, and above all, filled with love, faith and hope that is founded on Him.

May your mornings bring joy and your evenings bring peace.
May your troubles grow few as your blessings increase.
May the saddest day of your future
Be no worse than the happiest day of your past.
May your hands be forever clasped in friendship
And your hearts joined forever in love.
May his blessings rest upon you
And fill all your coming days.

Now you will feel no rain,
For each of you will be shelter to the other.
Now you will feel no cold,
For each of you will be warmth to the other
Now there is no more loneliness,
For each of you will be companion to the other.

Now you are two bodies,
But there is one life before you.

Go now to your dwelling place,
To enter into the days of your togetherness.
And may your days be good and long upon the earth.