"Sweet Thing" Van Morrison

And I will stroll the merry way and jump the hedges first

And I will drink the clear, clean water for to quench my thirst

And I shall watch the ferry-boats, and they'll get high

On a bluer ocean against tomorrow's sky

And I will never grow so old again

And I will walk and talk in gardens all wet with rain

Oh, whoa-oh, sweet thing, this sweet thing...

Welcome. It’s GREAT TO BE ALIVE, and it’s a great day for miracles in Boise Idaho!

"Dream No Small Dreams for They Have No Power to Move the Hearts of Men." Simple, Magical, Profound and Powerful words attributed to Johan Wolfgang von Goethe.

Michael and Grace “Dream No Small Dreams.” They both move the hearts of women and men. I’m sure they don’t think of themselves in this way, but it is who they are. Michael and Grace are high minded, with high aspirations, dedicated hard workers and with open hearts.

Michael and Grace are givers. It is why we are here today.

Michael, I’m sure, could school me on von Goethe, as he is studied in Philosophy and Political Science. Michael is Wicked Smart. Helen and I are blessed, now with 2 Sons In-Law, dedicated husbands to our daughters, and both with the Wicked Smarts. Michael is passionate about sports, a volunteer coach, mentor, and himself an accomplished athlete. Michael has competed in the Boston Marathon, and is qualified to compete again in 2025. That is No Small Dream. Michael is a critical and strategic thinker, with a healthy competitive edge. I have played Michael in chess. I beat him, ONCE.

I am not sure, if Michael was mining for Love at the time, but he discovered a GEM, Grace Ellen Mahoney. From an early age, Grace has been on a journey, an unremitting journey of discovery. Grace seeks the SUBLIME in all she explores, and has traveled the world to satiate her No Small Dreams. After years abroad, Grace’s early days in Michigan brought a longing for home, Michigan seemed to be a grind. Grace simply wanted earn her PhD in Slavic Languages and Literature, while executing her dissertation, “Mutable Monuments; Deconstructing Memorials to National Writers of Ukraine and Russia.” I knowwww… But Grace had an even greater challenge. She had to learn yet another language, multiple dialects and cultures: Michigander, Wolverine, Yoopers! Thank Goodness she wasn’t living in the Michigan Troll zone. Yes, that’s a real thing, look it up. You can see the complexity. Then, a few years into her studies, Grace had a renewed glow about her, an Optimism, A NEW HOPE if you will. I’ve met someone.

His name is Michael. I’m thinking, great start, Michael, SOLID Archangel, that’s a reasonable expectation. Would you like to see a photo? Sure! Honestly, I am expecting a Professorial-Type CHAP, button down, Oxfords. Well, here’s this guy in full ice hockey gear: uniform, pads, helmet, stick, the whole deal. Helen’s response, “my, he’s handsome.” I’m thinking, looks like he’s in the penalty box. Probably just bodied checked an opponent into the boards with enthusiasm not shared by the referees. Hmmm, I wonder, does this guy still have his front teeth?

The next week, how’s it going? Great, I’ve been on a few dates with Michael. Would you like to see photo? Sure. This time, this guy is in full baseball uniform: glove, hat, cleats, the whole deal. Helen was immediately sold. She is a sucker for good looking baseball players in uniform. I’m thinking, got a bit of the Ty Cobb look going there. Hmmm, still no evidence of front teeth.

The next time, how’s it going? Great. Helen: "are you and Michael still dating?" Yes, would you like to see a photo? Sure. He’s a long distance runner. Now, here’s this guy in running shorts, track & field shirt, the whole deal. Well, there it was. This guy must have just finished running a marathon in under 3 hours, because he has a grin from ear to ear, and revealing an impressive mouthful of pearly white teeth. OK, got that out of the way.

Later in another conversation, how’s it going? Great. We chatted about school, life…. Things are really great with Michael, I really like him. I say to myself, I know this guy can run, field a ground ball, and ice skate, so I ask Grace, what is special about him? Without hesitation, Papa – he respects Me. I’ll never forget that moment and Grace’s words. He was no longer “That Guy,” he was Michael. But there’s a problem. What’s that? I can’t seem to shake him off. Why would you want to do that? I explained to Michael, that I am leaving soon for Ukraine, and…? And I don’t think a long distance relationship will work, and what did Michael say? He said, that’s OK, I can go where you go. But I won’t return for over a year. That’s OK, I will be waiting for you when you get home. Michael visited Grace in Ukraine, they traveled to Hungary, ran the Budapest half marathon together. Grace returned to Michigan after more than a year abroad. Michael was waiting for her at the airport. They’ve been inseparable ever since.

Dream No Small Dreams.

I’m not sure if Grace was mining for love when she met Michael, but she discovered a gold mine, Not only in Michael, but in the entirety of the Driscoll’s. Tom, Trudy, Olivia, Sean, Jane, Mikey, Lauren, all the family, you have embraced Grace with love, support and into your homes. Helen and I cannot express enough appreciation and gratitude, to all of you, in comforting us, knowing that Grace has a loving and supportive family in Michigan. Thank you, Driscoll’s, all.

The Mahoney Clan be here! With exception to our precious AJ-Aunt Jacque, Mary Alice, and a few others that simply could not be here. The Mahoney Clan, a crazy bunch, but with a lot of love. All because of two beautiful souls.

John James Mahoney, The Senior, know to all as Jack, our dad. Jack Mahoney, like Michael, was passionate about sports, and in his early days, also an accomplished athlete. Dad would have loved Michael. Like Grace, dad was a poet, having written many poems, among them, a family favorite, The 'Gentler Speech." Jack Mahoney was a gregarious, kind, compassionate, and extremely generous man, but most importantly, a dedicated husband and father to seven children. Jack Mahoney, was a character and had a quip for every situation, one of his favorites, “It’s Great to Be Alive.” Jack Mahoney was in the seminary, studying to be a priest. He met Ellen Therese McGuire. Ellen McGuire was a Stunningly Beautiful, Fiery, Red Headed Scottish Lassie. Ellen stole Jack’s heart. Jack Mahoney left seminary and soon after married Ellen Therese McGuire. The Mahoney Clan was on its way. Dream no small Dreams.

Mom, standing at 5 foot nothing, was a towering figure, loved by all, and can only be described as an angel sent from heaven. We miss them deeply, and know they are smiling on Michael, Grace and all here today.

Let us lift a glass, in celebration to the Bride and Groom.

Michael and Grace, in the prose that Jack Mahoney spoke when describing his life with our Mother, “MAY YOURS BE THE GREATEST LOVE STORY EVER TOLD.”

We will have dinner shortly. Please join hands, and pause in a moment of introspection. May this food nourish our bodies. May our hearts be open and filled with gratitude, May our time together be filled with love and joy. Amen.

Thank you. Enjoy Dinner and the rest of this evening’s celebrations.

One final announcement: It’s time to PARTAY!!!!

Cocktail Hour Appetizers

Coconut Crusted Shrimp

Curry Quinoa Croquettes

Dinner

Luau House Salad (Vegan option & GF option)

Hawaiian Mac Salad (Vegetarian)

Hawaiian Sweet Rolls (Vegetarian)

Coconut Rice (Vegan & GF)

Kalua Pig (GF)

Teriyaki Chicken

Tofu Katsu (Vegan)

Vegetable Lo Mein (Vegan & GF)

Dessert

Pineapple Upside Down Cake (Vegetarian)

Haupia (Coconut Pudding) (Vegan & GF)

Trudy and I would like to thank John and Helen for the hospitality and generosity shown to us and to all of you for sharing in this special day with Michael and Grace. You become part of the cherished memories they will hold onto going forward.

Michael Driscoll and Dr. Grace Mahoney:

We both want you to know that from that place deep within our hearts we love you and are so happy for you! That the love and happiness you now share on this special day - and always - will only grow stronger over time as you write the pages of your life's book together.

If you let Love guide your hand, it will truly be a best seller.

And now an Irish/ Ukrainian /and American toast for the bride and groom: Slainte, Nostrovia and Cheers!

Congratulations, Michael and Grace!

Mikey's speech is sadly lost to the sands of time. His eloquent and well-timed toast reflected on his and Michael's brotherly bond, the family camp party where new romantic partners usually receive their baptism by fire, and how Michael's life is truly better thanks to Grace. Go Blue.

I want to start by thanking everyone who has dedicated the time to be here with us today. Grace and Michael are so very blessed to have such wonderful family and friends to celebrate with, and this day is made all the better for the love that you have all shown.

As many of you may already know, my name is Faith, and I have known Grace my entire life, although she was unlucky enough to have to wait three years before I came around. She made good use of her time being the center of our parents’ world while she waited. The jury is still out on whether or not she was excited to become a big sister, but like it or not, I made my debut and our brother Colin followed about two years later. Growing up, we certainly bickered and fought like any siblings would do, but our mom had a secret weapon up her sleeve to pull out any time we pushed her patience to its limit. A newspaper clipping, detailing the different types of relationships one would have during their lifetime. Any time an argument became particularly heated, she would remind us of this clipping, that has been stuck on our refrigerator for decades.

The clipping reads: Your most significant relationships, if typical, will be with parents, marital partners, brothers, sisters, and offspring - and the longest of these probably will be with your brothers or sisters. A student of such family matters asks rhetorically, “are you underestimating the importance of your relationship with your brothers and sisters?”

Looking around tonight, I think it is safe to say that the importance of our relationships with brothers and sisters have not been underestimated. So many people have come to show their love to Grace and Michael, and I can see that today we are joining two families that equally understand the value of these relationships. On this special occasion, both Grace and Michael have chosen to stand up with their brothers and sisters by their sides, and I think that speaks a lot about who they are as people, and why they are such a great team.

I have always felt that growing up with siblings has helped me learn how to navigate relationships of all kinds. You learn how to coexist with someone sharing your space 24/7, you learn how to choose which battles are worth fighting, and you sometimes learn how to team up against a greater force, usually your parents, when you have a shared goal. I like to think that learning these skills with siblings at a young age helps to prepare us to take on bigger obstacles in our relationships later in life. In any successful marriage you will need these skills.

And although these skills will help you navigate the practical aspects of marriage, there is so much more to look forward to. Passion, excitement, romance. Throughout our lives, Grace and I have been great lovers of literature, a trait we inherited from our mother. Although over time, our tastes in literature have changed and grown, ultimately I think we are both forever impacted by the stories of great women and their great romances that our mom read to us years ago. Lizzie Bennet taught us not to settle for less, and to expect our partners to love us as we are, not how they wish us to be. The Dashwood Sisters taught us that while life may be difficult, love should be easy. Anne Elliot taught us that when we are imperfect, the truest of loves will always find a way. Emma Woodhouse taught us that the foundation of love is true and honest friendship. And Catherine Moreland taught us that if we stay true to ourselves and seek our own adventures, that love may just find us along the way.

And although these particular words from Shakespeare may not be from his most romantic poem, I want to end my speech reciting the last few lines from "Sigh No More," in the hopes that tonight, and all your nights together, you can let go of your troubles and focus on your love for each other.

Then sigh not so, but let them go

And be you blithe and bonny

Converting all

Your sounds of woe

Into Hey, Nonny Nonny!

"Bubble Toes" Jack Johnson with special effects bubbles blown by our junior guests!

It's as simple as something that nobody knows

That her eyes are as big as her bubbly toes

On the feet of a queen of the hearts of the cards

And her feet are all covered with tar balls and scars

It's as common as something that nobody knows

That her beauty will follow wherever she goes

"Here Comes the Sun" The Beatles

Little darling

It's been a long, cold, lonely winter

Little darling

It feels like years since it's been here

Here comes the sun

Here comes the sun

And I say, it's all right

Little cousin Brooks took the mic to croon the newly weds and the crowd as per tradition at Mahoney weddings. Frank Sinatra has some serious competition!

About a dozen single ladies gathered to dance to Icon Pop's I Love It and jump for a bouquet made of cash and lotto tickets. Bridesmaid, Grace's new sister-in-law, and lotto enthusiast, Livi made the perfect catch!

We danced into the night. Everyone howled and head banged to Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" and we closed it out with a circle of good bye hugs to The Black Keys "Everlasting Light."