It's great to see everyone here tonight to celebrate this wonderful occasion, the wedding of Steven and Rachel. It was also nice to see so many people in New York City last night celebrating the Fourth of July, the birthday of our great country. Steven and Rachel are indeed very fortunate to have found each other and fallen in love. I can't help but think that the relationship they've developed and the future they are about to lead together are truly part of the American dream.
Nearly all Americans are here because, sometime in their family history, someone dreamed of having the opportunity to lead a better life. Interestingly, both Steven and Rachel have paternal grandmothers who spent years of their youth in Cuba and migrated to this country as teenagers to pursue their dreams. Steven's family settled in the New York area, Rachel's family in the southern and western parts of our country.
Our families were fortunate to able to provide Steven and Rachel a chance to chase their own dreams. For Steven, it was to be a musician. For Rachel, it was to dance. After growing up a continent apart, they both enrolled at Purchase College, and excelled in their studies. Like their grandmothers before them, however, they realized they needed to change their future direction.
Fortunately, Steven and Rachel had already found each other on the Purchase campus by this point. The strength of their relationship, along with the opportunity to dream of a better life -- something that is still easier to do in this country than in virtually any other part of our world -- has kept them moving forward together, Steven as an accountant, Rachel as a medical student.
Fortunately, Steven and Rachel had already found each other on the Purchase campus by this point. The strength of their relationship, along with the opportunity to dream of a better life -- something that is still easier to do in this country than in virtually any other part of our world -- has kept them moving forward together, Steven as an accountant, Rachel as a medical student.
In my travels and interaction with people from different parts of the world, I've heard that a defining characteristic of Americans is their happiness. Yes, we smile more than most people, and we have a more positive view of the world and our lives. It truly would be a fulfillment of my dream, as a parent and an American, and for our families who first ventured into this great land, for people around the world to see Steven and Rachel years from now and say, "Look at how happy that couple is. They must be Americans, in love!"
Steven and Rachel, we toast to your joy today and your dreams for the future. And when you look into each other's eyes, may you continue setting off fireworks like the ones over the Hudson River last night!
No comments:
Post a Comment