Good evening.

First, I want to thank everyone for being here to celebrate such a beautiful day. Looking

around this room, it's easy to see how much love surrounds these two just by seeing how

people show up for them not only today, but every other day as well.

I have the incredible honor of not only being my mom's Maid of Honor, but her daughter.

In 2017 my Dad passed away very unexpectedly. Overnight, life changed for our family. For a

few years, it was just my mom, John and me. We leaned on each other through some of the

hardest moments of our lives, and I watched my mom carry more than anyone should ever

have to. She figured out how to run a business, be the head of our household, and supported

my brother and I through our grief. She showed us what strength, resilience, and

unconditional love truly look like.

As hard as those years were, God was preparing us for the next chapter.

Fast forward. In 2020, something amazing happened. My mom met Alex.

I’ll never forget how excited my Mom was when she told me she met this guy at Village Idiot.

She was especially excited that he had a nice full head of hair.

The night of their first date my Mom was actually really sick. But she knew she felt something

special with Alex and we both agreed she had to just get up and go. And thank God she did.

Now, I have to admit...the first time I met Alex wasn't exactly ideal. It wasn't at a barbecue or

a family dinner. It was at the hospital after my brother's girlfriend Rebecca unexpectedly

passed away.

It was one of the hardest days our family has ever experienced.

Alex barely knew us, but that didn't matter to him. He showed up. He supported my mom.

He helped our family. He was calm when everything around us felt chaotic. He didn't have to

do any of that, but that's just a testament to the kind of man he is.

I remember thinking, "Wow...Mom found a really good one."

What started as a new relationship slowly became something so much bigger. Alex didn't

just fall in love with my mom, he brought with him three incredible kids: Colby, Lukas, and

Allison who I am so blessed to now call my brothers and sister. We quickly blended and

started creating memories together.

The best part is, they weren't replacing anyone. They became something we didn't even

realize we were missing.

Watching our families come together has been one of the greatest gifts. It's reminded me

that families aren't only the ones we're born into, they're also the ones we choose, the ones

we build, and the ones that make room for even more love.

Anyone who has had the pleasure of watching these two together knows that my mom and

Alex are the most authentic versions of themselves when they're together. They're silly,

adventurous, and always looking for the next thing to do. Honestly, I don't think they know

what "relaxing" means. I'm half their age, and I can't keep up but Alex can do an Iron Man...

four times.

Their love story has always been one big adventure. Whether they're daring each other to

jump into the ocean in the middle of lunch, racing down hotel hallways like teenagers, or

flying down a slip and slide, they're always laughing. And I think that's my favorite thing about

them. They remind each other not to take life too seriously because they understand that

everything can change in the blink of an eye. They find joy in the ordinary, excitement in the

unexpected, and somehow manage to turn every trip, weekend, and every random Tuesday

into a memory worth talking about.

One of the greatest parts about Alex is his ability to make people feel seen. He’s observant

and thoughtful. If you tell Alex in passing something you like or have interest in, he is the first

person to show up with it the next time he sees you.

Alex took me and John in like we were his own. There was never a day I felt like he was just

my Mom’s boyfriend. He became a Dad to me and showed up for me and my children in ways

we desperately needed. He was never asked, he just did it.

Mom, you've always taught me that love is about showing up, even when life is hard. You

deserve every bit of happiness that today represents. Not many children get the privilege of

watching their parent fall in love. But watching you and Alex’s love story unfold in front of me

has been such an amazing honor. Seeing you smile the way you do with Alex fills my heart in

so many ways. Seeing someone so deserving of love being loved the way you are brings me

peace.

Alex, thank you for loving my mom so well. Thank you for welcoming my brother and me, and

for raising such amazing kids. Thank you for making our family bigger, louder, and full of love.

And thank you for being there right from the very beginning, even before you really knew us.

I knew my Dad would always be a part of our story. His love helped shape who we are, and I

believe he would want us to keep living and loving as deep as we do. Today isn't about leaving

the past behind. It's about honoring it, while celebrating the beautiful future that's ahead.

Love isn’t limited. It grows and it makes room for new people without ever replacing the ones

we’ve lost.

Mom and Alex, may your marriage be filled with laughter, patience, even more adventure,

and countless memories.

Everyone, please raise your glass.

To my Mom and Alex: thank you for reminding us that love can find us again, that families can

grow in the most unexpected ways, and that even after loss, life can still surprise us with

incredible joy.

Here's to your next chapter together. We love you both.

Cheers!