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I know it’s weird for a bride to give a speech, but to those of you who know me well, probably could have predicted that I wasn’t going to be able to leave my wedding without saying a few words.

I want to start by thanking my Mom. For showing me the struggle of becoming an independent woman, and for providing me with that motherly support that made me feel like I wasn’t alone in this world. Thank you for the discipline, those whoopings that you gave me when I started to act older than what I was. And I mean those good whoopings, the ones that make you fall asleep afterwards. Most importantly thank you for telling me all of your mistakes in life so that way I wouldn’t make the same mistakes, but make better choices. You installed in me the responsibility of reflecting on my decisions when life throws me rough situations. Aunt-TT, thank you for blessing me with the opportunities and materials that you didn’t have during your childhood. You made it your mission to raise me from a little princess to a beautiful black queen. You would always say, “The world is yours, and anything that you want is already yours, you just have to put your dreams into action.” To my queen, Memaw, thank you from the bottom of my heart for showing me humbleness, because even though this society tries to trick us into believing that money means everything you showed me that money has absolutely no value. “We weren’t put on this earth to make money, but to create relationships and connections”. Thank you for those remarkable words of wisdom that reminds me of who I am today. “A friend is an enemy you haven’t met yet”, you would always say. I never knew what that meant until someone I thought was my best friend had turned on me. Then I realized you had already warned me. I thank you all for the support, knowledge, and experiences that you have prepared me with. Because you all are the reason why I’m such a strong woman. You’ve helped me to grow into the person I am today. I love you three women with all of my heart.

I also would like the thank my bridesmaids, you all look so beautiful by the way. Thanks for helping me through this long journey of wedding planning. This has been a long process, many tears and heartaches. But thank you for helping me pull through.

But most of all I would like to thank my husband for being everything I could ask for and more, and for asking me to be your Mrs. I honestly can’t believe this moment is happening, I’m marrying my best friend and I’ve found my soulmate. You came into my life and changed it for the better, Je adore tu, mon ami. I definitely want to thank you for putting up with my annoying fits, attitudes, and bridezilla moments. You are my world and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you. I remember the first time we met. It was like we had already Knew each other. We bonded instantly and that had never happened to me before. No arguments, no fighting, and none of the distractions most couples endure. We liked the same stuff, we made each other laugh and It all felt like a fairytale. I remember I would always ask you, “What’s the catch? You’re too perfect! You would always laugh and say, Perfect? Nah, this is just who I am.

Last but certainly not least, thank you for everyone who came out and supported us on our special day. Our wedding wouldn’t have been the same without our family, friends, and loved ones.

Now please raise your glasses and drink a toast to, a happy ending and a wonderful future filled with love.