The Wedding Page

The wedding itself, I must say, was an incredibly moving experience for me, and I am thankful to all of the people who came out of their way to celebrate with us.

May 7th 2004

CHANGES By James Dejardins

When I first met Laura some 9 years ago,
Our friendship immediately started to grow.
I found her amusing, a good kind of strange,
I didn’t want anything ‘bout her to change!

I liked that she captained The Shot pool hall teams,
And had trouble distinguishing real life from dreams.
I liked that with school she was ready and able,
Yet still could drink anyone under the table.

Her parties – fantastic. Her music – top rate.
Mini-Pizzas – delicious. Driving record…not great.
In short I liked living as one of her brothers,
Along with Shawn, Ian, Cone and some others.

Now back in those days there were plenty of suitors,
Wooing our Laura with beer, wine and shooters.
But I didn’t worry – they were out of her range,
None of them could cause MY Laura to change.

Till one fateful day a new contender appeared,
And this one was worthy so this one I feared.
What differed this fellow from all of the rest,
Is that Laura liked him first better, then best.

He stood twelve feet tall if he was an inch,
With eyes like the Devil and soul like the Grinch.
He’d come to change Laura and take her away,
And throw other variables into the fray.

I frown…but he smiles, my shoulder he pats,
He smelled like fresh nachos and Aikido mats.
“Hello Mr. James” out loud he then belted,
And right then and there my anxiety melted.

Now this guy I like, I thought to myself,
Despite that beside him I look like an elf.
This was no monster that spelled out the end,
Indeed then that monster became a good friend.

So things settled down and I liked the new norm,
But inside my head that old worry would form.
Laura and Aaron I love you a ton,
But please don’t keep changing – it scares everyone!

And sure enough just when things started to groove,
Laura and Aaron announce their next move.
To Texas they go, with it’s big cans of beer,
It’s lazy slow rafting and New Orleans so near.

And when they return they’re different alright!
Tech Wizardz by day, scrap book junkies by night.
They move out to Oakville and get business cards,
My status quo’s lying in heaps and in shards.

This change came too soon! I wasn’t prepared!
I felt that my grievance just had to be aired.
Laura and Aaron, I love you a ton,
But please don’t keep changing - it scares everyone!

So what did they do? Well they tricked me once more!
They decided that China’d be nice to explore.
So off they both set with backpacks in hand,
This whole trip, thought I, is totally banned.

Holding hands.

And finally when they’d returned to T.O.,
They’d both of ‘em changed once again don’t cha know!
Creepy tall plants now adorned all their walls,
And they’d come to appreciate clean bathroom stalls.

So I looked through 10 albums of pics during sup,
And politely tried jua jow, then promptly threw up.
“China was nice”, I heard them both say,
“But we’d like to see more of the Far East some day”.

Melissa, Laura, Aaron and Mike.

“Not on my watch” I then silently cursed,
And I sighed that line that was by then well rehearsed.
Laura and Aaron, I love you a ton,
But please don’t keep changing - it scares everyone!

Then we all had a latté and I thought that was it,
They’re steady, they’re settled, I thought now they’ll quit.
But I knew there’d be more of these traveling vexes
When they showed me a calendar filled up with Xs.

“We’re leaving our jobs, ‘cause they’re boring and slow”,
And I rolled my eyes and said, “Agh, here we go…”
“We’re sick of just working all day for “The Man”,
So we’re counting down days till we leave for Japan!”

Well, I couldn’t stop them – they were off once again,
And he set up a web page but it wasn’t the same.
But, they returned and I thought so, what’s different this round?
He’ll make her some “snatto” then kneel on the ground???

Well, in fact, yes that’s true that’s now a part of his life,
But along with the natto he made her his wife.
And she seemed so happy and he seemed so proud,
And they both wore the sparkliest smiles allowed.

Well this was too much! I think: biggest change yet!
I feel kind of dizzy, my stomach’s upset!
In fact it’s bigger than change! It’s an altering of fate!
And this latest announcement is nothing but…..great!!??!!

And all of a sudden it all seemed so clear,
If good change could happen to friends I hold dear
Then what’s wrong with change? And if it made them smile,
Then maybe, I’d try out this change for a while.

Change isn’t something that we should fear
It’s what reinvents us with each passing year.
In fact some don’t say ‘Changes’, instead they say ‘Growth’,
And that’s something that’s happened to you and I both.

I hope this next journey you’re starting tonight,
Will change you and grow you and make your lives bright.
You’re both special people and very dear friends,
I hope that my friendship with you never ends.

You’ve taught me computers and downward dog too,
You’ve taught me to cook and to use a pool cue,
But mostly you’ve taught me to give change a chance,
And shown me the true meaning of love and romance.

Now please raise a glass and join in my toast,
To the change that I must say that I love the most,
Laura and Aaron, I love you a ton,
Thank you for changing from two into one.