“I want to know what love is!!!", a stranger sang after the wedding ceremony had concluded.

It was time for the reception and Tomas was truly enjoying himself watching other people try to sing. Watching his brother make his vows to another almost made him tear up, but now that it was over, he was more than content to watch on the sidelines.

“Tomas, are you going to sing as well?”

Aila had other plans though.

He didn’t even think he would have made it to the wedding had it not been for her.

When the clock struck noon, she barged through the door and dragged him all the way to the limousine that was waiting for him and his date. "The best man has to be on time for this", his brother had told him to justify the expense of a limousine.

If and only if Tomas got married, he would not spend so much money on the wedding, at least way less than Alejandro spent. Good thing Alejandro had a good paying internship and Lauren’s grandmother decided to pitch in as well. Unfortunately, that old lady kept reminding them all of that.

“What did you think of the wedding?", he asked Aila.

“Oh, it was wonderful! I love weddings and this one was spectacular! The bride and groom seem very much in love and the ring-bearer was so adorable...do you remember the wedding vows? They were so touching!", she sighed and hugged her purse to her chest while saying that.

“What about you?", she inquired right before her nose tingled and she let out a sneeze.

“Achoo! Those flowers are everywhere”, she commented as Tomas offered her his handkerchief.

“Personally, the wedding was a bit much.", Tomas answered.

“Is Tomas complaining about the wedding?", Aila teased.

“I...", Tomas was about to play it off when his brother called the room to attention and sat down with his lovely wife.

“Tomas”, Aila elbowed Tomas in the ribs and he grimaced.

“What?", he whispered back.

“Its time for the toast!", Aila replied.

Oh God no, why had he been chosen to be the best man? He was not the best at public speaking. In fact, he could reminisce about an oratory he did as a young lad in junior high when he had...

“Tomas! Come on! You can do it! Go out there and break a leg as they say!”

He buttoned up his jacket, gathered his resolve and gulped.

Just remember the speech, he thought. Just remember the script...

“Alexander...", Tomas paused to recollect the rest of the lines; he even sent a prayer to the Almighty to help him because he was flailing right now. Addressing a crowd while being an introvert probably put him at a significant disadvantage.

Tomas wished his brother was here instead in his place and thought that he’d know what to say...wait, he remembered now!

“I have heard there is a tradition at the wedding for the best man to embarrass the groom and tell all sorts of wild tales. Well I’m sorry to say I’ll be disappointing you all because I am not that type of person plus my brother does not react well to criticism.”

He chuckled at his own inside joke and went on.

“My brother...he’s the type of man I never imagined married. I remember when we were younger, he heard about a friend of his who his parents divorced and was shocked at how people could just leave their spouse and children like that. He marched straight into the room and cried to Oma, ‘I never want to get married’ ...", Tomas acted out his brother’s parts for dramatic effect.

At that moment, he spotted Oma guffawing, barely able to contain her laughter while Lauren frowned and his brother raised his eyebrows at him.

“Oma naturally asked him why and...” Tomas could barely stop giggling himself, “he boldly stated, ‘I never want to get married because I don’t want to get divorced!’ Mind you, he was 6 years old at the time he said this.”

The audience erupted into laughter and Tomas smiled, feeling confident he could pull this off.

“My brother is not the same boy that said that though. Over the years, he’s grown up, become a responsible law-abiding citizen and changed his views on several topics. One thing that has not changed is his incredible sense of humor and courageousness to live life and take risks! In many ways, him being here right now is a testament to his love for Lauren and commitment to her. I have never seen a man more in love than my brother over here. He’s fought tooth and nail to be with his bride...", he looked over at Lauren’s grandmother as she said this, “and has already taken the steps in advance to have a healthy marriage from Day One!“, he raised his hand while saying the last part.

“Furthermore, my brother has always been one who appeals more to emotion than logic. However, being with Lauren has shifted his perspective and made him more cognizant of the way his decisions affect others. The saying is that people do crazy things for love, but he has demonstrated the exact opposite. Love is not found in the extraordinary mountaintop experiences, rather, it is found in the everyday mundane life events of little significance to others. And it is that same love that will propel Lauren and Alexander to be in bliss for the rest of their lives! Cheers for the bride and groom and long may their marriage last!“, Tomas raised his glass and the audience cheered.

Aila pulled him to the side and stated, “Wow. Tomas, that was amazing!”

“I mean you did write some of the words...", he replied bashfully.

“But your delivery was outstanding!", Aila gazed into his eyes and Tomas’ breath caught at the sight of her.

For once in his life, he felt mesmerized by her beauty inside and out.

“Tomas, would you ever marry?”