I want to tell you about how difficult yet easy this was to write. I wrote the toast that “officially” started their journey together. And I got to witness a mighty love. Now I write this toast which is not an end to the journey—it’s just another segment of that beautiful, beautiful, journey.

When I was asked to write the wedding toast, it was so easy because it was such a joyful occasion. When I was asked to write this toast my initial response was that this is going to be really hard, and then I started to think about Jennifer and I started to smile. And it became easier because I started thinking about all the wonderful things she did, and was, and is.

“Hello Mr. Peterson!” Most of the time when you’re called by your surname, it’s very formal. Jen was one of the three people (all in this family by the way), who called me Mr. Peterson, and it had such an unbelievable warmth that you could feel it.

Jennifer said to me—I love you to pieces. And I thought to myself, I know that! Jennifer made it easy to see. And I told her I love you to pieces too!—as I don’t always make it easy to see.

Please bear with me, this is the hardest part. Jennifer‘s death is a wake up call to all of us. Don’t waste this suffering! Jen lived her life to the fullest and she made our lives fuller. Oh yes, she did the mundane, the every day. She worked, she created, she loved, she lived. Jennifer loved life, there was rarely a time I ever saw her without a smile on her face. And it was an honest smile, a true smile, a smile that warmed you, a smile that welcomed you.

Jennifer was sticky. You met her and you clinged to her and she clinged to you. You know someone is truly special when your lottery dreams include them. But not only include them, they are first on the list, even before yourself. Jennifer loved Corvettes and fine Wine. My wish was to win the lottery and buy her a vintage Corvette and fill the trunk with fine wine.

Mary Oliver, a poet from Ohio wrote—“To live in this world, you must be able to do three things: to love what is mortal; to hold it against your bones knowing your own life depends on it; and, when the time comes to let it go, to let it go.” But the reality is, we can’t let go—because luckily, Jennifer is sticky.

I must truly thank Jen’s family for sharing the most caring, the most giving person, most wonderful friend we’ll ever know.

I want everyone here to make a promise to me, to Stephen, and most importantly to yourselves. Promise that you’ll always be there for him, because he’s going to need you not just through the short term, but through birthdays, anniversaries, holidays—any day. Be with him and be there for him. I know that Jennifer would want us to take care of him.

Raise your glass—To Jennifer!

[The toast from Jen’s celebration of life, by Oscar Peterson]