<p class="ql-block">Good evening! My name is Steve Li, father of the bride. It is my great pleasure to be here with you to witness the union between my beautiful daughter Joana and David. </p><p class="ql-block">David’s parents, Dorila and Jose, my wife and I, would like to thank each and every person here today who has traveled a long way to join us at Kennebunkport, Maine. We greatly appreciate your love and support.</p> <p class="ql-block">Joana, you and David will form a new family after today and sail away on your own destiny. As a father, I am sad because I may see you less, but I am also very happy for you because you have found your Mr Right as all parents wish for their daughter. Joana, your mom and I just want to tell you we love you so dearly. No matter where you go in your life journey, we will always support you, just one step behind if you look back. </p> <p class="ql-block">During the past several weeks, I have been making a slide show about you and David. Each time I look at your childhood photos, I wonder where all the time has gone. You were a perfect baby at birth. I will never forget you jumping out of the car, grabbing your backpack and running to your primary school in the morning without even thinking to look back at me. You are brave, steadfast and always know what you want to do. You were the best in school, and at home you were Mom’s little helper. I still remember my tears and elation at the office when you called to tell me you were accepted into Princeton University. Today, you have become an experienced big firm lawyer. You are beautiful, intelligent, dedicated, and kind. You have exceeded all of our expectations. Joana, thank you so much for giving us so many precious memories. Your mom and I are so proud of you and feel so lucky to have you. You are truly our American Dream.</p> <p class="ql-block">About 8 years ago, Joana and David started dating in college. We are very glad they have been able to grow, learn and share their experiences together. David is gentle and supportive, not just smart and handsome. Dorila and Jose, thank you very much for raising such a brilliant boy! I promise you we will treat him like our own son. David, welcome to our family. We are very lucky to have you, too.</p> <p class="ql-block">Marriage is not just about love, but it also means obligation to your spouse, children and both sides of the family. Joana’s grandparents in China have had their 60 years anniversary, and my wife and I will have our 37 years anniversary very soon. With a such kind of credentials, Joana and David, I would like to share with you very important, but simple Li’s family advices for long marriage. Please just remember three actions, or three ‘T’. </p><p class="ql-block">1. Take care. Life is complicated and tough sometimes. Joana and David, you should take care of and support each other no matter what happens in the future. </p><p class="ql-block">2. Talk. Please always find a moment every day or sometimes every week to slow down, relax and talk to each other, because at the end of the day, the most important thing is this new family you are creating. You will realize that the greatest achievement in your life is your family.</p><p class="ql-block">3. Tolerate. Benjamin Franklin said ‘Keep your eyes wide open before marriage, half shut afterwards’. Please always keep a big picture in your mind and ignore small differences between you. </p><p class="ql-block">With that, I am going to end my speech now. </p><p class="ql-block">Everyone, please raise your glasses to the newly weds for a lifetime of love and happiness!</p><p class="ql-block">Cheers!</p><p class="ql-block">Thank you very much!</p> <p class="ql-block">晚上好！我叫史蒂夫·黎，新娘的父亲。我很高兴能和你们一起见证我美丽的女儿乔安娜和大卫的结合。</p><p class="ql-block">大卫的父母多里拉（Dorila）和何塞（Jose），以及我和我的妻子，要感谢今天在座的每一个人，不远万里来到缅因州肯纳邦克港加入我们。我们非常感谢您的厚爱和支持。</p><p class="ql-block">乔安娜，你和大卫将在今天之后组成一个新的家庭，并在你自己的命运中扬帆远航。作为一个父亲，我有些忧伤，因为我能见到你的机会可能会减少，但我也为你感到非常高兴，因为你找到了你的Mr Right，就像所有父母对女儿的希望一样。乔安娜，你妈妈和我只想告诉你，我们非常爱你。无论你的人生旅程走到哪里，我们都会永远支持你，只要你回头，我们就在一步之后。</p><p class="ql-block">在过去的几周里，我一直在制作有关你和大卫的幻灯片。每次看到你童年的照片，我就想知道时间都去哪儿了。你出生时就是一个完美的宝宝。我永远不会忘记早上你从车上跳下来，抓起背包，跑到小学，甚至没有想过回头看我一眼。你勇敢、坚定，总是知道自己想做什么。你在学校是最优秀的，在家里你是妈妈的小帮手。我仍然记得当你打电话告诉我你被普林斯顿大学录取时，我在办公室的泪水和兴奋。今天，您已成为一名经验丰富的大律师事务所律师。你美丽、聪明、奉献、善良。你已经超出了我们所有的期望。乔安娜，非常感谢你给我们这么多珍贵的回忆。你妈妈和我为你感到骄傲，并为拥有你而感到幸运。你就是我们的美国梦。</p><p class="ql-block">大约 8 年前，乔安娜和大卫在大学开始约会。我们很高兴他们能够一起成长、学习并分享他们自己的经验。大卫不仅聪明又英俊，而且温柔且乐于助人。多丽拉和何塞，非常感谢你们养育了如此出色的男孩！我向你保证我们会像对待自己的儿子一样对待他。大卫，欢迎来到我们的家庭。我们也很幸运有你。</p><p class="ql-block">婚姻不仅仅是为了爱情，更是对配偶、子女以及家庭双方的义务。乔安娜在中国的祖父母已经度过了他们的 60 周年纪念日，我和我的妻子很快就会迎来我们的 37 周年纪念日。乔安娜和大卫，因为有了这样的资格，我想给你们分享黎家关于长期婚姻非常重要但简单的建议。请记住三个行动，或者三个“T”。</p><p class="ql-block">1. 照顾。生活有时是复杂而艰难的。乔安娜和大卫，无论以后发生什么，你们都应该互相照顾、互相支持。</p><p class="ql-block">2. 交流。请每天或有时每周找一个时间放慢脚步、放松并互相交流。因为归根结底，最重要的是你们正在创建的这个新家庭。你们会发现一生中最大的成就就是你们的家庭。</p><p class="ql-block">3. 容忍。本杰明·富兰克林说过：“结婚前睁大眼睛，结婚后半闭上眼睛”。始终牢记大局，忽略你们之间的细小差异和不同。</p><p class="ql-block">我的演讲到此结束。</p><p class="ql-block">请大家为新婚夫妇举杯，祝他们一生恩爱、幸福美满！</p><p class="ql-block">干杯!</p> <p class="ql-block">后记：此文是根据最后的演讲整理而成。新娘父亲的讲话总是国外婚礼的亮点之一，而要在限定的几分钟里抒发出内心的百感交集，祝福和期盼，是一个几乎不可能的使命（mission impossible)。但是我想只要讲出了真情实感，我就尽力了，不管文字是否完美😂。</p>