Courtney weddings speech

Well this is a BIG day - and I wanted to start with thanking each and every one orf you for coming. It means the world to Jill and I - and the newlyweds am sure - that you took the effort to join us. It’s been so fun for Jill and I to meet all of you over the years leading up to today.

I’ve been thinking about this speech alot since your engagement on March 21 last year - and the more I thought about it, the shorter it got for 2 reasons. #1, I want this day to be all about both of you and #2, I’m hoping you’ll remember some of this speech.

I’ve ended up with 3 marriage tips to share - 1 passed on to me by Jill’s grandpa Howard before my wedding - and the other 2 learned over the past 31 years and 12 days since Mom and I’s wedding day. 

But before I share those helpful nuggets of marital advice, let’s talk about you 2.

Court, it is an absolute joy to be your father. Every parent hopes for great kids - and for those great kids to grow up to be great adults. Well, in my opinion, you’ve taken greatness to another level. From self feeding to self potty training to varsity soccer - to I think a 100% average in math thru high school - to rocking college - sorority leadership positions - to passing your actuary tests - to maybe the hardest thing in life, to find a great spouse who understands and uplifts you - one who makes you even better together.  You’ve faced many challenges in 25 years - tackled them head on (see what I did there with a little football reference gents?) - and conquered them all. Words can’t express how proud Mom and I are of you. Your kindness and empathy you show for others and genuine love of life is infectious. You truly make the world a better place and that is the best accomplishment anyone could strive for in life.

Blaise, welcome to our family. From day 1, you have been so easy and fun to be around - and we love your willingness to go places and try things with us. One of my favorite memories so far has been when Jill, Trent, Courtney and I did an Escape Room with Blaise. When we were trying to decide which one to do (they go easy to hard), I remember Blaise saying “I think we can figure out one of the harder ones’. Well let me give you a pro tip - if you are ever doing an Escape Room, bring a couple of Actuaries. Like 20 minutes later - with no hints needed - we completed the challenge and I remember thinking “Those 2 are going to figure out life just fine”. Blaise I have so many great things to say about you that I decided to just use a collection of 1 word descriptors. DETERMINED. CALM. FOCUSED. FRIENDLY. SMART. DEDICATED, POSITIVE and maybe my favorite: HAPPY. The only negative thing for me with you joining the family for me is that for the rest of my life, I will continue to lose EVERY SINGLE GAME I play with my family. But that is a small price to pay for all the joy you bring to us.

And given how awesome you are now, I’m sure you were the perfect kid growing up too (look at Helen and Joe). Jill and I are so happy Courtney is joining the Andries family because the more I travel around Southwest Minnesota, the more I hear from the locals how much they love and adore you and your family. And even more impressive than hearing than the “that kid could lift a fridge in high school” and you passing all those impossible actuary tests - and seeing how far you can hit a golf ball - are the comments I hear of “everyone in that family is so nice and so kind.” I know you will love and protect and cherish our daughter and that is very comforting and appreciated. I look forward to a lifetime of holidays, lake time, vacations together, and time on the golf course with you. So to Joe and Helen, lets all raise a glass to them doin a great job raising a great kid into a great adult.

Some of Courtney’s first words were “By myself” and “ME DO IT”. Both of your impressive lists of accomplishments am sure will continue through your next chapters in life. But what is most impressive is how kind and considerate and beautiful both of you are as people.

Now on to my 3 marriage tips I’ve learned after more than 3 decades of absolute marital bliss (look at Jill).

You both grew up excelling and being great teammates in sports. And now as adults, you are challenged to work well as a team at work and as a team at home as a couple.

So what started off as “me do it” is now my Dad’s Wedding Tip #1, WE DO IT. Marriage is best when u do things together.

Tip #2 - There are 2 right ways to do everything. Marriage works best when you are open to seeing the others way of doing and trying things - you’ll be suprised at how often it works out. This was Jill’s Grandpa Howard’s advice to me when I asked him what he’d learned after 50 years of marriage and I think about it every, single, day. I’m still working on this by the way - it’s super hard and Jill will tell you she still needs to remind me regularly. Moral of the story is “Respect each others viewpoint and you’ll earn the others respect.”

The third and last TIP will be very tough for 2 math smart actuaries. In marriage, there is a formula that is different than in your calculator. And it is TIP #3 - that the marriage relationship formula is 1 + 1 = 1 with the ONE referring to ONE team. And to further confuse math smart people, I’ll add in that it’s not 50% + 50% effort to get to 100% - it takes 100% and 100% effort to keep the relationship at 100%.

So there you have it…my 3 marriage tips:

• We do it.

• 2 right ways to do everything.

• 1+1 = 1.

If you apply those 3 tips daily, I believe the statistical probability of your life long marital success and happiness is 100%. 

Mom and I look forward to sharing a lifetime of love and happiness with you 2 and know that we are always here for both of you. 

Cheers to Courtney and Blaise!