A letter to Nikolina and Matthew…

I have the honour of standing beside Nikolina today as her maid of honour and someone who’s shared some of life's best moments with her. We shared lots of great memories at festivals, tournaments, and visiting each other in Chicago and in Toronto. If you know my girl Nikolina, you know she's very fun. She's quick-witted and doesn't take herself too seriously.

It's an incredible honour to be standing here tonight as Matta’s kum. When he asked me, I knew it wasn't just about today. It's about being by his side for life, and that's something I take to heart. Now, anyone who knows Matta knows he's loyal and he's always there when you need him. If Matta is your friend, you'll never walk alone. He's the guy who shows up at 2am if you call him.

Niki is an incredibly strong, kind, and selfless, beautiful woman. When Nikolina started to tell me about Matt, I could tell right away that he was going to be the guy she would spend the rest of her life with. And Matt, thank you for loving our Nikolina as much as you do. Seriously, the way you treat her and her entire family is a true testament to the man you are.

Today, you stand before God and promise to each other love that is faithful, patient, and true. May your marriage be strong as a stone, and may your love be abundant and rich.

[Vows in Croatian]

Just want to say thank you to each and every one of you for being here today to celebrate Matthew and I. It truly means a lot to us, and we can't thank you enough. We wouldn't be able to do this without you guys, so thank you very much. We love all of you guys, and we hope that you have a great night.

[Croatian]

And then there’s Niki. She came into the picture, and from the start, it was clear that she was different. She balanced him. She makes him happier, calmer, and more himself than ever. If I've learned anything from watching Matta and Niki, it's that they've already have what matters most: They laugh together, and they never forget to look out for each other. That sounds like the recipe for success, if you ask me.

Niki and Matta, I hope your life together is filled with love, laughter, health, and countless good moments. May God bless you both and your life together.