Parents Speech Examples

Good evening. We're [Parent 1's name] and [Parent 2's name], [Child's name]'s parents. When [Child's name] was small, we used to watch them fall asleep in the car and try to guess what they'd be like grown up. Turns out we undershot it. [Child's name], you turned out braver and kinder than we had any right to expect. The only thing we got right was this: we knew whoever you chose would be worth the wait. [Partner's name], welcome. We've watched you two together, and what we keep noticing is how easy you make it look. That's the thing people don't tell you about a good match. It looks easy from the outside. To [Child's name] and [Partner's name]. Raise your glasses with us.

I'm [Father's name], [Child's name]'s father. I've been told to keep this short, so I'll tell one story. The day [Child's name] was born, I held them and thought, I have no idea what I'm doing. I still don't. But somewhere along the way I stopped trying to have the answers and started just being there. That turned out to be most of the job. [Child's name], watching you grow up has been the best part of my life. Watching you with [Partner's name] has been the proudest. [Partner's name], you've given my child something I couldn't. A partner. Thank you for that. To you both.

I'm [Mother's name]. I've been crying on and off all morning, so forgive me if I'm a mess. [Child's name] will tell you this is normal for me. When [Child's name] was little, they'd tell me everything. The big things and the small things. As they grew up, I worried the small things would stop. Then [Partner's name] came along, and [Child's name] started telling me everything again, because they'd found someone else to tell first. That's all a mother really wants. To know her child has someone who listens. [Partner's name], thank you for listening. For all of it. To my child and the person they love.

We're [Parent 1's name] and [Parent 2's name]. We're [Child's name]'s parents, which means we have the childhood stories and no shame about using them. Here's one. When [Child's name] was seven, they decided the dog needed a haircut. The dog disagreed. We ended up with a half-shaved Labrador and a very dignified walk of shame to the groomer. That dog loved [Child's name] anyway. That's the whole point. [Partner's name], you've chosen to love our child on purpose, which is more impressive than loving them by accident like we had to. We're thrilled. One piece of advice. When you two argue, and you will, end it by laughing. It's worked for us for a lot of years. To [Child's name] and [Partner's name].

We're [Parent 1's name] and [Parent 2's name], and between us we've been married for [X] years. People ask us for marriage advice, and we usually say the same thing: the years you remember aren't the big ones. They're the Tuesday nights when one of you is tired and the other does the dishes without being asked. [Child's name], you've always had a good heart. [Partner's name], you bring out the best in them. We couldn't have asked for more than that. So here's our one piece of advice, for real. Be generous with the small stuff. The big stuff handles itself if the small stuff is right. To [Child's name] and [Partner's name]. We love you both.