My Best Man's Speech for Randy Perdue

After being friends with a man for nearly 21 years, it is tough to sift through that many memories and really pick out the moments of that friendship to share.  The one that came to mind first was the time that Randy and I started the “Nintendo Club”.  It was a club for friends of ours in the neighborhood and even had it’s own currency system with Homer Simpson as the face on the “Nintendo Buck”.  (Yes, we were nerds.)

Even into our teenage years, many of our summers were filled with endless nights spent playing video games until we literally would fall asleep with the controller in our hands.  Games like Final Fantasy 7, Gran Tourismo and SuperMario Kart were ones that took good portions of our summers and, inevitably delayed Randy’s marrying his spouse until he was 28.  Come to find out you actually have to leave the house to meet girls.  Perhaps, I should take note.

On top of all the memories one might remember from that many years of being a person’s friend, you also find out things about them, that perhaps not everyone might know.  I assume Tori knows most everything I know, but just to be certain I wanted to take a little time here to give you a heads up on a few items, Tori.  So…  Here we go….

#1.  Randy can be looking at you, nodding his head in agreement and not hear a word you’re saying…  This especially goes if he is watching sports, sports shows having to do with sports, movies about sports or a commercial involving anything that remotely resembles a sport.

#2.  It is a very good idea to get a house that comes with good ventilation or have someone install a very powerful ventilation system in your house.  This goes doubly so if he chooses a Ramen noodle-only diet for an extended period of time.  Enough said…  Just trust me on this one.

#3.  Even if Randy knows he’s wrong on a topic, he will argue till the death he is right.  The best way to solve this problem is to distract him with the aforementioned sports, sports shows having to do with sports, movies about sports or a commercial involving anything that remotely resembles a sport and then talk to him.  I would, however, suggest two things.  First, I recommend phrasing the questions in a format in which a positive response would benefit you, as he will almost always say, “uh-huh” to nearly anything you ask him in this state or nod his head in agreement.  And, secondly, obviously, have a camcorder or webcam handy and recording because, as mentioned before, he probably will not remember the conversation.

#4.  Although it is completely useless information…  I want to let you know of a little idiosyncrasy that Randy has.  Tori, don’t be alarmed when Randy talks in his sleep.  I say this only because, unlike most people, when Randy talks in his sleep, it is often in numerical code.  Instead of speaking in words and sentences, he speaks in formulas.  I wish I were kidding.  I am not.

And, yes…  For all of you who were wondering… I do, in fact, know that last point from personal experience.  As a matter of fact, Tori, Randy and I have done some number crunching and we have figured out that you will have just celebrated your fifth wedding anniversary when you will surpass the number of times I have slept with your husband.

I say all of these things because my friendship with Randy has always been defined by light-hearted humor based on a very deep and meaningful friendship.  On a normal day, if you walked by the two of us, you would hear this kind of nonsense.  And, you might think that there really isn’t much deeper than that.  But, the reality is that Randy has provided me with a listening ear, genuine advice and unwavering accountability for the majority of my life.  He has celebrated with me during the really great times when life was great and things were falling into place…  And, he has been there to encourage me and build me up when those great times have passed and my world was falling down around me.

When I look at the Biblical model for a friend, I see a great example of friendship between David and Jonathan.  I really love how The Message version of the Bible puts their friendship in 1^st Samuel 18:1.  It says this, “By the time David had finished reporting to Saul, Jonathan was deeply impressed with David—an immediate bond was forged between them. He became totally committed to David. From that point on he would be David's number-one advocate and friend.”

I have always felt that Randy has been my number one advocate and friend.  Even when our friendship got shaky from time to time and even when we didn’t hang out as much as we’d like, I always knew that if I really needed him he’d be there.  And, he has proved it over and over.  This past year has been a rough one for me.  And, Randy stepped up to the plate as he always has before, and helped remind me that my purpose goes beyond broken hearts, delayed dreams and financial struggles.  He remained the great friend that I knew I could count on.  And, if you want to know the definition of a great friend is…  It is a person who doesn’t reassure you that someday you’ll be someone great…  It is one that states, plainly and as non-negotiable fact, that you are already someone great.  It is a person who shares your vision for your life and holds you accountable to that purpose.  It is a person who, in essence, relays the voice of God when you are unable or unwilling to hear God’s still, small voice.  This is a responsibility that very few people are willing to assume.  But, it is a mantle of responsibility that Randy picked up and delivered to me repeatedly.  I have always known the great deal I had in having Randy as a friend.  I can only hope that I have given him the same amount of encouragement and support that I know he gives to me.

I feel very fortunate to have had the same best friend for two decades.  Especially when it has been Randy Perdue.  For all of his flaws (just as we all have flaws), he always tries to do the right thing.  Always.  And, more and more every day I am proud of him for making choices that, although might not be as “fun” as some of the choices he has made in the past, they, undoubtedly, are beneficial to him growing to be the man God wants him to be and the husband Tori needs him to be.  And, I am so happy that he found someone who makes him happy and loves him.  I know, first hand, just how loyal and giving Randy is to those people he cares about and loves.  And, from what I have known of Tori thus far, he has gotten someone as equally loyal and giving.  This parity will serve them well as they face the world together.  I am truly looking forward to the blessings that God will, inevitably, give them over their lifetime as they walk in His plan and purpose.  And, I can only hope that I have the honor to be as big of a part of their lives for each of those milestones as I have had the privilege of being a part of this one today.  I love you both.

To Randy and Tori, may they always be as happy and in love as they are right now.