Dear Virgile:

You have been a man for some time now, but today you take one of the two biggest steps toward maturity. This evening we will all gather at Descanso Gardens and watch as you and your lovely bride Sterling take your wedding vows. I could not be happier for you and I could not be more proud of you, but then, I have always been very proud of you.

I can't really think of many ways in which I could advise you, but I would like you to remember these words from 1 Corinthians 13:

<em>"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.</em>

<em>"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.</em>

<em><sup id="en-NIV-28658">"</sup>Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.</em>

<em><sup id="en-NIV-28663">"</sup>And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."</em>

[caption id="attachment_94" align="alignright" width="300" caption="A most wonderful son."]<img class="size-medium wp-image-94" src="http://mikerappaport.net/onevoice/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Vacation-2005-101-300x225.jpg" alt="A most wonderful son." width="300" height="225" />[/caption]

If you are looking for an example of how to be a good husband, look no further than your brother-in-law. Ryan has been a wonderful husband to your sister and a wonderful father to your niece. He has exceeded my expectations in almost every way, and I am proud he is part of our family.

If you need an example of a loving, unselfish family man, your late grandfather is a very good one. For more than 50 years, he put his wife and his children first and I truly believe God has rewarded him for it, even though I know he never asked for any reward.

The only advice I can give you is that you will never regret the words you do <em>not</em> speak in anger, because there are things we can say that can never be taken back. And never write anything down that is hurtful. That's a lesson it has taken me some time to learn.

Oh, and treat Sterling as if she is the most precious treasure in the world. You will never regret it.

Remember that there will never be anyone who loves you more than your mother. She has been your biggest fan for nearly 25 years, and she is the one who taught me this sentence:

<em>"Virgile is the most wonderful boy in the world."</em>

So love your wife and enjoy your day. If we are not always with you in the future, please remember you are never far from our thoughts and are always in our prayers. You were a wonderful boy and you are a fine man. I could not have imagined having a better son.

Last night in your toast at the rehearsal dinner, you said that your mother and I were great parents. I treasure that compliment, but I know one thing is true.

It is much easier to be a great parent when you have wonderful children.

All my love,

Dad