Weddings have always been an important day in a couple’s life. It’s extra special when a couple’s friends and family are present to celebrate the day. It’s always been a joyous celebration since the people who have witnessed their love are there to celebrate their union.
One couple not only had a merry union but also a heartfelt message from their best man.
Sam Waldron, 23, has autism. Despite being nervous and shy in social gatherings, he was willing to stand up in front of a crowd to give a best man’s speech for his older brother, Jonah. He loves his older brother and he was happy that Jonah found a woman that he will spend the rest of his life with.
Sam started his speech by joking that he was terrified.
He explained that autism can make him terribly scared in interacting with people, especially giving a speech in front of 170 people. Many people sympathized with the 23-year-old yet they all wore encouraging smiles on their faces. One notable audience was his brother.
Sam told everyone that Jonah was the best brother.
Jonah would tell him that “being different is a real strength, not a weakness.”
He pours his heart out in the speech and included his brother’s wife, Maddy.
“For me personally, Maddy, you know that sometimes I can get very uncomfortable and nervous around many people…I have never been that way around you. You give me peace,” Sam said.
He would also go and say that Maddy has all the makings of a great sister.
“You bring peace to all of those around you. I love you, Maddy.”
Everyone was in tears at his heartfelt message.
It only doubled when he began to speak about his brother again.
“Growing up as your little brother, you never looked down on me. You lifted me up — you looked out for me. You always reminded me that being different is a real strength, not a weakness,” Sam said.
He continued on with, “You were, and are, patient and kind. You love me just as I am.”
He finished the speech by asking God to bless the couple and offer them an old-school Irish toast.
It was truly a beautiful speech that came from the heart. His big brother was unable to hold his tears.
‘Once he began to speak, I couldn’t hold in the tears of happiness,’ Jonah said in an interview with Daily Mail.
Sam was diagnosed with autism when he was only 7 years old. The brothers went to the same school and his big brother Jonah would always be there to help him.
“He would come to see me during the school day, he would come for help with a subject or as a break.” Jonah recalled.
Due to Sam, Jonah was inspired to become a Special Education teacher.
It was at Wartburg College when he met Maddy. When Maddy and Sam met they instantly clicked. The two love each other which makes Jonah really proud.
He was even more proud of his brother for standing up in front of a crowd to give a speech.
Sam practiced for 2 days in perfecting the speech. He felt like he was not just speaking to his brother, but he was also representing the whole autism community.
He wanted to inspire others the same way his brother inspires him.
“I felt like I was speaking out to whoever has autism and that I was speaking for the autism community.” Sam shared.
Currently, the video has 779.1k likes and 27.8k shares.
We hope that others are inspired by Sam and Jonah’s brotherly love and strength.
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@scoutrueandfam We are so lucky to have you in our lives Sam! ❤️ #wedding #weddingtiktok #bestman #bestmanspeech ♬ original sound – Waldron Fam
