A Toast to my Friend

Note: Here's my toast to my best friend Vanitha and her husband Raj on their wedding day - July 2nd 2011...

Good Evening! I am Hephzibah Israel, the proud friend of our glamorous Bride Vanitha. First and foremost I thank the Lord Almighty for bringing the couple together on this joyous occasion; I find it a honor to be considered the Matron of Honor to be able to share a few things about my best friend Vanitha here.

I want to start by congratulating the bride and groom. Please know it is a special day not only for you, but for me as well and all of us here. You are looking stunningly beautiful today and Raj and you make a lovely pair! I admire how well you both planned out this occasion and congratulations on the success.

I wish to take you all fourteen years back in memory lanes to the time when I first met Vanitha. Her calm and pleasant nature and the beautiful smile attracted me to her and made it easy to bond with her. Looking back on our days spent together in St. Thomas Hostel in Santhome, Chennai I have nothing but fond memories.

The fondest memories include making paper flowers and teddy bears, taking off on rainy afternoons only to stand in the rain getting wet, singing our favorite song 'Eeechaka macha eecha poocha, chiyangu macha cholo' over and over again to the annoyance of our other friends, teasing each other and dreaming about our future husbands and planning out how many babies we would each have, etc. I am so glad we are now on this side of the aisle having everything we ever dreamed of and looking back to the dreams when they were just dreams.

We have come a long way since then and over the years I am fortunate to make friends with Selvi Aunty and JP Uncle, Vanitha's Mom and Dad. Their prayers for Vanitha have been constant through the years and they have longed to see this day come true with earnest prayers and steadfast faith. Today all their prayers and wishes have come true as Vanitha has found her suitable groom and the best companion in Raj to walk her side rest of their lives! From what I have come to know of Raj, I have no doubt in my mind about that.

Vanitha and Raj are both two remarkable people coming together today to complete and complement each other. Let me remind them that: Coming together is just the beginning; keeping together is progress; and working together is success.

I wish you success from the bottom of my heart. Years from now, may you look back on this day, your wedding day, with the same fondness you have for each other this very moment. I wish you the very best in everything life has to offer.

Please raise your glasses while I toast my best friend and her husband: Dear Vanitha and Raj! May the love of God shower on your family from this day forth for generations to come! May your love for each other be unconditional. God bless you! Here's to love, laughter, the newlywed and their happily ever after. Cheers!