Recently, I was able to propose a toast to the bride and groom at my son’s wedding in Houston. That is nothing extraordinary. But few people know how close I came to missing out on this opportunity altogether.

I want to share a quick story. It will boost your faith in the amount of goodness in the world. On October 12, 2026, I had another surgery on my vocal cords at the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor. In early September, my vocal cords began to to decline so I began the process of scheduling as normal. It would be my 28th vocal cord surgery and about the 15th at the University of Michigan. It was time sensitive because my son, Michael, was getting married in two weeks and I wanted to be able to speak and breathe and perhaps even propose a toast at his wedding. At the time of my surgery, it would have been impossible for me to deliver a toast to a room of people. I could only whisper, and even that wore me out and challenged my ability to breathe at the same time.

Much to my alarm, I quickly learned that my doctor was fully scheduled on every surgery day in October. He had absolutely no openings. This had never happened before. So I prayed and waited. And waited. And waited. Just as I began to think thoughts of despair, my doctor emailed me with some great news. During that interim silence, the team at Michigan Medicine had taken the initiative to share my situation with another patient and asked if he might consider delaying their surgery so I could get mine in time for the wedding.

Would you believe that this patient, someone I had never met, a complete and total stranger, AGREED???

Because I feel such deep gratitude for that stranger’s generosity and for my medical team’s kindness and initiative, I wrote that unknown patient a thank-you card and gave it to my doctor just before they rolled me in for surgery. God is good. People are good.

We’ll, I’m happy to report that I WAS able to speak and breathe at the wedding! And the toast went off without a hitch. The video sound quality is a bit challenging, but you can find it here. Here’s the text:

Michael & Katie — Rehearsal Dinner Toast

October 23, 2026

On this, the eve of a moment in time that is certain to impact the lives of almost every person in this room, Michael and Katie stand at the beginning of a great journey, a great project, a great adventure.

Michael and Katie, you might think of your courtship as the slow ascent to the top of a roller coaster and tonight, the pause before the real drama of your life together begins.

Cling to each other.

Protect each other.

Be kind to each other even when no one else is.

You will not be alone. Many people in this room will be here for you. Your new journey speaks to the very heart of human fulfillment: a desire to love and to be loved.

The beauty of the Sacrament of Marriage is sublime. Think of it. How does God spread His love? Well, He created the world in such a way that marriage, a union of hearts, creates more hearts. Love begets more love.

Those little children that you hope will come from this union will have immortal souls. Once they come into existence, they will live FOREVER and you will always be their mother and father. This is the high and holy vocation that you have chosen.

Michael and Katie, this is a very difficult time in human history to raise a family. I commend you for your courage and generosity. But DO NOT BE AFRAID. Trust in the Lord. Life can get quite messy. It will never be perfect, but everything will be alright! You will be a light to others.

Since you are about to be called not just to live for yourselves, but to live for each other, your lives are about to become profoundly more meaningful. Marriage and parenthood is awesome!

Michael, you’ve been a great gift to your mother and me. I am proud of you, and am so grateful that God entrusted you to our care. Now go and be the husband and father that God is calling you to be.

Katie, we are grateful to take you as our daughter. You have a radiant soul, and it’s easy to see the goodness and beauty within you. From the moment he was born, Michael has been blessed with a strong will and intensity. Your genius, Katie, is that you help him refine and direct these gifts. I told him this morning at breakfast that you make him smile and relax in a way I’ve never seen before.

Katie, I don’t want to be all “extra” here, but Margy and I totally “stan” you. Your vibe is “high key fire.” You totally “slay.” “No cap.” 😉

Thank you Michael and Katie for bringing us all together tonight. Thank you for your faith in God, family, and each other. May Our Lord bless you abundantly, and Our Lady’s peace fill your home.

In the spirit of St. Peter’s Pub, Three Cheers for Michael and Katie!

Hip-hip-Hooray! Hip-hip-Hooray! Hip-hip-Hooray! CHEERS!

A Message to My Medical Team at the University of Michigan

NOTE: This was a very magnanimous act from the MSU Spartan, the OSU Buckeyes, and all the Notre Dame alumni who were present in this room (Michael even worked for Notre Dame football back in the day!) Way to put our football rivalries aside! I am truly grateful to everyone!