Jonathan and Stephanie stood in the entryway of the Commanding General's Residence, surrounded by their guests. One hand holding his glass, the other wrapped around his new wife, Jonathan addressed the crowd. He thanked them for traveling so very far to witness their marriage and beyond that, thanked them for their shaping influence in his and Stephanie's lives. They had encouraged him. Challenged him intellectually. Supported his hopes and dreams for the future. Showed him by example the kind of man he should be. They made him the man Stephanie would one day fall in love with. And others, in turn, had done the same thing for her.
Jonathan acknowledged that he and Stephanie would not be celebrating their marriage that day if it was not for each of the people standing in the room with them.
Because that's the kind of people that Jonathan and Stephanie are. When the spotlight shines on them, they push it out to others. And when their loved ones travel hundreds and thousands of miles to celebrate their special day, they focus instead on hosting those people thoughtfully and generously.
