A letter to Arielle and Aamir…

Aamir is always caring deeply about Arielle. For Arielle, here's your little bite to eat. Arielle, what can I cook you? Arielle has a special pasta made on their anniversary. They care deeply for each other. It's always about how the other person is doing. How can they make your life better? It's the definition of a partnership. It's never one-sided. It's always together, and always forward. I love you two. I hope you have the best wedding day and in the many years ahead I can't wait to see you grow and blossom and grow old together. You two are some of the friendships of my light of my life, and I would never want to live my life without you.

Arielle is absolutely the coolest chick I know. She's brave, bold, and beautiful. Arielle, you know you are our sun, our moon, and our stars. I thank God every day for the privilege of raising you and your brother. I'm incredibly proud of the woman you've become. The world is so much better because you are in it. When I grow up, I want to be just like you. Aamir, I want to extend my thanks to you for loving her. You have stood beside us and her and our family through good times and in bad. We love you with all of our hearts, and I'm ecstatic to call you my son. To you both, my heart is so full. It's not possible for me to be happier for you both. Your adoration and commitment to each other is all I could ever want, and a testament to your love story. I used to tell Arielle and Lorie they had special powers because they were the product of true love. If this is so, your children's superpowers will be exponential.

Arielle and Aamir met each other in high school, and I think they even now love each other as much as they did back then. I've watched them grow together, and it's an absolute pleasure seeing who they are now, and also knowing that they're perfectly well suited to each other. I'm sure they're excited to continue their journey of life with each other as each other's partners, and I hope life showers them with all the joy there is. Life has a way of throwing hardships at people. But I have no doubt that if such a thing was to happen to both Arielle and Aamir, they will face it together bravely, and they'll come out on top. When these two turn about eighty, old and wrinkly, I know they're going to stare at each other and still love each other just like they did when they were sixteen. While I wish you all the luck there is in the world, I'm certain that you both do not need any luck in order to have a wonderful future together.

I want to welcome each of you, and I want to thank you for being here because they are absolutely delighted that you are here today to share in their joy during this wonderful, wonderful moment in their lives. For by your presence, you celebrate with them the love they have discovered in each other, and you support their decision to commit themselves to each other. Today their relationship changes. It'll continue to get better. It'll continue to get stronger. Indeed, this is a day of great hope in which Arielle and Aamir demonstrate their commitment and devotion and mutual respect, as well as their faith and their love and one another.

Arielle, it is truly my greatest pleasure to stand across from you today as we start the next chapter of our story. Although the season is cold and dark, I'm glad we chose this time of year. After all, the winter always reminds me of falling in love with you. I'm reminded of how no matter how much time we spent together, it never felt like enough, and how it still doesn't. I'm reminded of the warmth you brought to my life, and how that warmth makes me feel like I could weather any storm with you by my side. I'm truly blessed to be able to call you my life partner, and very soon my wife. Arielle, I promise to give you the best version of myself as a man, as a husband, and as a friend. I promise to do everything in my power to make sure our home is filled with laughter and warmth. I promise that when life tests us, I will care for you with grace, compassion, and diligence, just as you have for me. And I promise to make you a priority in my life, to grow together, and to nurture our relationship. And, most importantly, I promise to love you unconditionally, with every fiber of my being, in this life and the life hereafter.

Aamir, when I was young, I used to watch The Wizard of Oz almost every weekend. My favourite part of that movie was when Dorothy woke up in Oz, and the world was in colour for the first time. Meeting you ten years ago was like seeing colour for the first time. And every day since has been bright, wonderful, and colourful. It has been my greatest joy to get to grow up alongside you, see the wonderful man you have become. We’ve come a long way from being two lovesick teenagers, but in some ways I think we're still very much the same. You are still the same boy who lights up every room with laughter. You have the same beautiful eyes, striking intelligence, and the kindest soul. You are the light of my life. You are the colour. Wedding vows traditionally state until death do his part. But I know there's no feasible way for which we could ever truly part. Because every part of me and it was made up of every part of you, to hum in perfect harmony together. And I vow to always add extra milk to your coffee, so it's just the way you like it. But most importantly, I vow to take each step of this life with you hand in hand, proudly as your friend, wife, and partner.

Arielle, I give you this ring that you may wear it as a symbol of the vows we have made this day. I pledge you my love and respect, my laughter and my tears. With all that I am, I honour you.

Aamir, I give you this ring that you may wear it as a symbol of the vows we have made this day. I pledge you my love and respect, my laughter and my tears. With all that I am, I honour you.

I would like to take the opportunity to thank the Almighty for giving me this opportunity to celebrate the union of two beautiful hearts, Arielle and Aamir, and the union of two families. And I continue to pray that both of you live your life happy, healthy, and with success all in your life and always.

As parents, watching your youngest son grow into a man he is today has been one of our greatest blessings. He's incredibly kind-hearted, honest in his values, happy in nature, and well respected among his peers. We are very proud of person he has become. Raising you has been the greatest pleasure of our life. Arielle, we couldn't have asked for a better life partner for our son, and we are pleased to welcome you into our family.

I can't believe my baby girl's married. My daughter, you look absolutely beautiful, stunning, and glamorous. You're a one lucky man, Aamir. When you were a baby and had collic and cry and cry at night, when this happened, the two of us would dance around the kitchen radio, and I would hug you tight and say to myself, "Nothing would ever be this great at a moment as this." Tonight, again, I will have that special dance with my daughter. I want you to know I'm proud of you and the woman you become, and to let you know that I'll always be here for you. To the bride and groom, may your love continue to grow and bring you happiness for the rest of your lives.

I think of you in the morning before the sun rises. I think of you when the first rays of sunlight spill like a waterfall between the blinds. I think of you when the sun is setting, and its final rays of light begin to fade. I can hear your voice, deep, soft, and slow, in my head. Words of beauty, joy, friendship, and everlasting love. My heart begins to sing a love song so sweet and so gentle. I cannot wait to share my day with you, and yours with me. And I am at peace.