Sam Choi is one of the nicest/greatest/inspiring teachers/people I will ever meet in my life. I am so glad our paths crossed. He gave a speech for my wedding which I will share below:
Good evening all and congratulations to you both on this special day.
My name is Sam and I met John when we both worked at the same school years ago. Although we don’t work together anymore, I am still grateful for the ongoing friendship we still have and am honored to be here on this special day for John and Kat.
When you think about John Tran, what are some words that come to mind?
For all of us who know John Tran, I think we can all agree that he is probably one of the most unique and remarkable people we know. How many people do you know who have a google doc updated daily with things they did, ate, and people they saw? How many people do you know who have visited one restaurant 200 times AND has every visit documented? How many teachers do you know who write personalized letters to every student and coworker MULTIPLE times in a year?
But there’s another word that first comes to mind when I think about John Tran: he’s caring. I think he is one of the most caring and giving people I have ever met.
When we worked together, he would be a constant source of support and encouragement during the times I was the most stressed. Even after we stopped working together, it was him who was checking in with me and asking how my new job was or inviting me out for a meal or a hangout to catch up.
But his interactions with others is when I truly saw how much John cares for others. Despite his sarcastic remarks towards his students, it was clear to even his students how much John cared about them. He would give up his time to write them personalized letters, set up and arrange volunteer events, take students to phils and other outings, and more. John was constantly in the rooms of other coworkers checking in on them to see if they were okay and offering any ways to help or support them. I’m sure many of you here have experienced something similar.
When we worked together years ago, there were usually one of two things bothering John: 1. the typical stresses that come with teaching and 2. being single. Even in his late twenties, John would always share his worries about how he was getting to be too old and had missed the window to find the right one. He would tell me “All the good ones at our age are already taken! I’m screwed!” John, at 34, you think there’s still a chance for me?
Fortunately though, there was someone out there who still saw John as an eligible partner despite his “old age”.
It was pretty clear from the beginning that John was really into Katherine. After hanging out with Katherine several times, I could see why. She accepts John for all his uniqueness, is supportive of his life choices, and most importantly she cares deeply about John. She cares enough to hang out with our RKMS teacher group where 90% of the conversations revolve around our teaching experiences, which doesn’t seem to bother her (I think). From my perspective, John looked clearly happier once he started dating Kat and he seemed more assured about how his life was turning out.
John, I am so glad to have met you through Rise and am even more grateful for our lasting friendship. Katherine, we are all so glad you came into John’s life. John’s family and friends have all been rooting for his happiness and with you he has found it.
