Felt Safe

On Saturday, June 21, 2025, I officiated Anjali and Bobby’s wedding ceremony at the Four Seasons in Mexico City, Mexico. Here are the remarks I shared with them and their guests:

Anjali and Bobby met through working at the same hospital. For five years their interactions were purely professional. Anjali liked what she saw: “I noticed early on he was quite shy and reserved but had a distinctly kind and genuine way about him. He wasn’t like most surgeons. There was no ego, he was not demanding and was quite respectful and understanding of some of the difficult decisions we often have to make in the OR. That alone is the way to an Anesthesiologists heart!”

Now how exactly they became a couple, I will leave that to Anjali and Bobby to fill you in on, but I will say it is one of those times when mothers know best.

Bobby describes the initial part of their relationship from his vantage point: “The first time we spent time with each other outside of work, it was like something clicked. She was easy to talk to, the conversation flowed, our senses of humor matched. I felt safe around her. I could be myself. The more I learned about her I saw that she is kind and caring. She has a generous spirit. She is thoughtful and introspective, something I value most.”

Anjali tells us what makes this relationship work: “Bobby, over the years, has exhibited the attributes that I have always hoped to find in a partner—he is kind, compassionate, patient, and loving. There is not a day in the past five years that I have not felt valued and truly understood, which is such a rare and precious feeling. The most important thing to me, though, is that he allows me to be myself. With him, I feel completely comfortable and accepted, without any pressure to be anything other than who I am. His love and support help me grow into the best version of myself, and I couldn’t imagine spending my life with anyone else.”

Bobby agrees: “Anajali brings out the better parts of me. We complement each other's strengths. We listen to each other and are able to compromise. We encourage each other, we make decisions together, and we are able to give and take constructive criticism. We have known each other long enough to be sure that what we have is a real commitment. Now we want to make the commitment official, and share it with our family and friends.”

Yahtzee!

On May 31, 2025, I officiated Kate and Josh’s wedding ceremony at the Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Here are the remarks I shared with them and their guests:

When Kate was a child, she cut her sister Caroline’s hair off while playing pretend wedding, much to her mother’s dismay. Kate joked, “Caroline made a very good groom for a day, but I’m far more excited for my new and real groom, Joshua!”

In fact, humor has been a constant in Kate and Josh’s relationship from the start with Josh’s goofy dating app profile proudly stating, “Dad jokes are the best jokes.” 

Josh recounted to me: “We had our first date in a bar. I can still see her walking into the bar, praying it was her, and knowing without a doubt it was.” Along with the romance, there was a humorous aspect to this first encounter too. Kate and Josh had both lied about their heights with Josh adding an inch and Kate subtracting an inch.

Their shared sense of humor was even key to their relationship winning family approval. When Kate met Josh’s parents and brother Alex at the Met, Kate and Josh made puns back and forth the whole time, cracking each other up and making Josh’s family constantly roll their eyes. Josh’s parents said they knew Kate was the one for Josh because they had the same silly sense of humor. In turn, when Josh visited Kate’s family for the first time, he was a good sport regarding all the pranks they pulled on him.

Humor even factored into expressing their feelings for each other. One Sunday they were trying to figure out what game to play and Kate said, “I love Yahtzee!” Josh mistakenly heard, “I love you!” and was shocked, as they had not been together for long. Neither of them were quite ready to declare their love, but from then on they would say Yahtzee to each other in intimate moments. 

Later that year, Kate and Josh had gone to see a musical and ended up at a 24-hour diner. Kate looked at Josh all dressed up and started crying because she loved him so much. Kate said Yahtzee and Josh told Kate he loved her. They will never forget that sweet moment.

Since then, Kate and Josh have gone on many laughter-filled adventures and created a home filled with love and their adorable puppy, Lulu. 

Kate and Josh, what a sweet tale. What we wish for you is that you continue to share your humor and your love, and that it always feel as fresh as it did that night in the 24-hour diner. 

With that, let’s move on to your vows. Yahtzee!

You are Mine

On May 18, 2025, I officiated Liat and Trey’s wedding ceremony at The Windsor at Hebron Park in Carrollton, Texas. Here are the remarks I shared with them and their guests:

Fun fact: The only person speaking the truth when they call Liat by her name is Trey. Li means mine, and at means you. Liat, therefore, means you are mine. 

When I think of that fact and of Liat and Trey’s relationship, a concept I never before had the words for comes to mind: Innocent excitement. 

What is innocent excitement? It describes a feeling of joyful anticipation or thrill that is pure, unburdened, and free from any ulterior motives or negative connotations.

It combines the purity associated with having no guilt, wrongdoing, or bad intentions, with the feeling of intense energy, anticipation, and enthusiasm.

This is well evident in how Liat and Trey speak of each other, their history together, and their relationship.  

Liat says, “There are several reasons why I want to marry Trey. First and foremost, Trey knows how to make me smile, he knows how to make me laugh so hard that my stomach hurts. Trey also knows how to make me feel safe. Trey has shown me that he loves me for me and doesn’t take me for granted. He has never judged me. He has always been there for me and has always loved me. I love you Trey with all of my heart. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.”

And Trey says, “There are several reasons why I would like to marry Liat.  First and foremost is her kind heart and devotedness toward me through thick and thin. She cares for and loves my whole family. She has never judged me for who I am.  She has guided me to be a better person…  Liat and I had a special bond.  Through all the turmoil I have gone through… she was and has always been there for me… I love you Liat with all my heart. I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life with you.”

Liat and Trey, what we wish for you is that your innocent excitement continue to manifest itself throughout your marriage. Through that, your bond will be unbreakable.