Kate for Conrad: 'I continue to see that fire every single day' - 2020

30 August 2014, Toronto, Canada

Today is the fourth Saturday in August, 2014. And I would like to take you back to exactly, to the day, 10 years ago, tonight.

The fourth Saturday in August, 2004,

It was Joe nightclub.

The 'it' spot at the corner of John and Richmond in the heart of Toronto's clubbing district. After one of our group's typical Saturday night, pre-drinks at Roger and Fifth's house. I found myself in the club's first floor dance floor. I remember distinctly Greg Jack and Rich were dancing to my left. Casey was doing her notorious two step bar move to my right, but I was really distracted. The, the elusive friend of this group, this Con kept catching my eye. I vividly remember him standing there. He was clothed in his favourite bar look at the time, which was bowling shoes from Aldo. Ripped and just slightly flared, light coloured jeans. And an open dress shirt that was too big, unbuttoned too far and untucked. Oh, and if few 'Live strong' bracelets on.

I noticed at the pre-drink that he was a little bit more chatty than usual. And here he was again, slowly creeping closer on the dance floor. Before I knew it. we were dancing and the rest of the group had gone upstairs. Soon. Dad, my young 19 year old self was pinned up against the walls of Joe nightclub. And so follows the story of our first kiss.

If Con has ever tried, or ever tries to tell you this story differently, I promise you he is lying.

Con and I have not been together since that night at Joe nightclub. While I spent a decent amount of time obsessing over him after that first night. For some reason, it took him a little while. However, this dynamic was never that obvious to me until I recently pulled up some old MSN history:

"November 1st, 2005, 8:50 PM. KT: Hey, your Halloween costume was hilarious last night.

8:57 PM. KT: It looked like so much fun.

<laugh>

9.15: Okay. Have a great night. TTYL

I was bold and I initiated our next chat:

 November 12th, 2005, 12:45 PM: Hey Con.

KT. I saw the picks from last night!

There were no pictures. I didn't see anything. CCM decides to respond three hours later. I, I remember running to my computer when I heard the little like 'uhoh' or whatever it was. <laugh>

His response: Ha! BRB.

Once we got past the hurdle of Con playing it just a little bit too cool, we have somehow always found our way back to each other. It has never mattered where our different paths have taken us. It has seemed like it has never been an option for us not to be together. Since the early days of our meeting, there really has been a magnet between the two of us. Everyone has their own love story, but for me, what's been so amazing about ours is that there's just been something between us that's impossible to describe. There's a feeling that I have to be around you.

I'm good [crying]

Um, I can't explain it, but I can feel it and I always have. You do something to me. And for me, that is our love story. Your mom always talks about the fire that's been inside of you since you were a little boy. And I continue to see that fire every single day. You constantly surprise me with your nonstop determination to drive forward and to never settle . From a hockey player, to an MBA grad, to a banker, to a saxophone player, You can literally accomplish anything that you put your mind to.

One of my favourite quotes reads: "you can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him". And if that holds true, Con you have the most incredible character. You always see the best in people. You see intentions and actions through a positive lens. You have more integrity than anybody I've ever met, and see things as right and wrong. Your heart is always in the best place. Your happiest when people you love experience success, finding such genuine pleasure in seeing those you care about do well through the way you live your life. You provide me with everyday reminders that all that's important in life is here in this room.

There is nobody who can make me laugh for a whole night straight, who knows me at my core better. Who makes me feel the most comforted in their presence, who enables me to find pleasure in everyday things simply because we are together.

And so, to my gorgeous husband, there's no one on this earth. I would've rather been waiting for me at that end of that aisle today, whatever life has in store for us, I will always be beside you and on your side.

Ray Wilson: 'Can you imagine how good it feels to have a son who sees so much good in others?', for Ned and Olivia

9th January, 2010, Red Hill, Australia

Thank you Harvey,

Welcome to this part of Ned and Olivia’s wedding. And on behalf of Margaret and Ned’s brother and sisters, welcome to our place at Red Hill.

This is a very special place for us as now all four of our children have been married on the hill up there. Each has been special in its own way, but before today, we’d never had the cavalcade of grandchildren precede the bride down the aisle. A sight I’ll not soon forget.

We particularly welcome the Carter clan and their friends, and look forward to catching up with you through the night, and tomorrow.

I just want to mention two things.

The first is that Ned is our lucky child. Good things happen to him with, how shall I put it, economy of effort. Later, his brother Tony may give examples of Ned’s ability to achieve terrific outcomes while simultaneously conserving maximum energy. It could be super-efficiency or it could be just luck. I’m going with a fair dose of luck.

Which brings me to Olivia. Here, Ned has excelled himself. He pulls the perfect match looking no further than the next street. Knock over a few trees, and he could almost see her front door from the couch. Even then it took him twenty-seven years to lift his eyes that high. But what a find when he finally did.

I’m sure others will speak at length about Olivia, but sufficient for me to say that she has been a wonderful addition to our family and we all love her very much.

The second thing is something I decided about nine years ago to say at Ned’s wedding. It concerns one of the best days of my life. I can’t remember where I was or what I was doing. Why this day is so special is that a particular thought crossed my mind. I then spent five quiet minutes testing whether it was true, and concluded that it was. Then I felt wonderful.

The reason is I could not recall one single time Ned had bad-mouthed a friend or complained about his or her character or personality. Can you imagine how good it feels to have a son who perpetually sees so much good in others, and if he sees short-comings, never thinks them important enough to make them the focus of his conversation. Ned personifies peace-on-Earth, goodwill to all men.

That day I was overwhelmed with pride, and Ned, I feel proud of you every single day, and I know Margaret, Samantha, Tony and Pippa join me in wishing you and Olivia the happiness two such intelligent, decent and loving people deserve.

Thank you, and enjoy the night.

Abe: 'We combined forces, and we built a dynasty', For Greg and Lynette - 2013

3 August 2013, Minnesota, USA

[Series of thankyous]

Greg’s family has been so good to me, I’ve known Greg since 1996, which is how many years ago, seventeen? I’m not a mathematician. I was actually talking with Ben and Lexi, the cousins, and I was with Greg and I was saying I’ve known him since 1996, when I was ten years old, and Ben said, ‘yeah I was four’ and Lexi said,  ‘yeah I was one’ and it was like, yeah, I get it, I’m not in college anymore, thanks for rubbing it in.

Thank you so much to the guests that are here. I know there are some here from Florida. Some people from Michigan, Virginia? Anyone from Minnesota? Thanks a lot for getting here. It’s a lot with the travel, but we do it for these two.

Thank you to the wedding party, the groomsmen, the bridesmaids, the true MVPs of tonight. And most importantly, thanks to Lynette and Greg. I guess we’re all here for you guys, it’s a big night, it’s a special night, everyone is here for you.

It’s a big honour to be Greg’s best man. I guess we met in 1996, we went to Blessed Trinity, any BT grads in the house? In # Minnesota. We were in fourth grade and myself [names friends] we were the top dogs in the playground. Not so much in the classroom but definitely in the playground. We were not scholars. AndGreg comes in, Greg was at Burroughs, public school kid coming into a private school, and everyone liked him. The girls liked him, a lot of the guys liked him, and I could not stand Greg. He walked in, and he was a little too confident, you know he’s coming into our playground, coming into my territory, trying to take my girls, and I wasn’t cool, I wasn’t cool with it.

And everyone liked him, everyone liked him. Like I said the girls did, the guys did, and I figured I better join forces. I’m not going to beat him, so I better join his team. So we met in a dark alley. I told him where to meet. I told him not bring anybody. I wanted to be one on one. Because I knew i could take him.  So we met and shook hands and we made an agreement. And you know, we combined forces, and we built a dynasty. So myself Greg, Scott and Zac. It was really great ... so. [applause] Thank you.

So I was talking with Greg on the phone one day, and you know, we talk all the time, saying hey how’s your day going, and he says, yeah I’m pretty good, I took this girl Lynette out, and I said,  ‘ok, tell me a bit about her,’ and he said ‘she went to [names colleges] and so I said, ‘ok clearly a smart girl’, and said ‘what does she do now?’ and he said ‘she’s a teacher, she’s a special education teacher, working with younger kids,’ I said, ‘ok, she’s got a heart, that great, that’s great.’ I said, ‘Ok, how does she look?’ and Greg said, ‘oh, she looks good man. She looks real good.’ And then I ask him the most important question, the question that I think every best friend, every best man should ask his best friend, when he starts seeing a girl. ‘Does she have a sister for me?’ And he said ‘no’ and I said, ‘you gotta cut it off! You gotta cut it off! This isn’t going to work. This isn’t going to work for us, we’re a team.’

Clearly, he never listens to me, he did the opposite to what I said, and I’m glad he did. I’m really glad he did. So like I said, it’s a great day, it’s a special time for the families, for the friends, but I guess most importantly we’re here for two people and that’s Greg and Lynette.

And so because it’s such a special day, I thought I’d write a poem. And I don’t, I don’t really write poems. The last poem I wrote was in fifth grade so – it was haiku. It was a haiku. And so, I thought I might brush off the poem skills, and see what we could do. The title of the poem is ‘Greg’s Most Embarrassing Moments ’96 to 2013’. I’m kidding. It’s actually called ‘My Brother’.

[To Greg] You good? Right. You’re giving me that look man!

August 3rd, 2013. Here we are on your wedding day.

On such an occasion I think it’s a must that we take a trip down memory lane.

We met in third grade, you were the new kid in school

The girls liked you immediately, they thought you were cool,

At first I was not, Greg’s biggest fan

But we spent more time together, and I realised he was the man

He’s really not, but it rhymes, so I had to make it work.

Greg was an only child, just like me

His dad’s name was Mike, and his mom Mary

His favourite team was the Packers, (Booo, Booo!)

That made me want to hurl

And his favourite band at the time, the one and only Spice Girls

The fact he liked the Packers, while friends laughed and jeered

And Greg knowing all the Spice Girls dance moves, was just plain weird

We got close fast, we created a wolf pack

The four of us together, Greg, Scott, Abe and Zac

Has anyone seen The Hangover? Does anybody remember Alan? Greg was our Alan. It was eerie how much he was like Alan.

Our friend would cause mischief, harmless little fun

Throwing water balloons at cars, and teepeeing on the run

I wanted Greg on my side, we made a killer team

And if angry parents ever chased us, they would catch him before me

Like most great friendships, there were some bumps and cracks,

But we kept looking forward, and never looked back

Greg was always in my corner, he pushed me to improve

And whenever I had doubt, he helped me fight through em

Not sure of the month, not sure of the day,

But at some point, something changed

No longer a friend that you see,

But so much more, a brother to me,

My brother all day, my brother all night

My brother tomorrow, my brother for life

Loyal, fun, popular, honest

The shorter, less-good-looking brother that I’ve always wanted.

Now here we are, on your wedding day

It’s time to party, to celebrate

You stand beside, your beautiful queen,

She’s smart, genuine, the opposite of mean,

And warm and caring and lovely and kind

How you pulled this off Gregors, really blows my mind.

Enough of this poem, you know that I care,

Just one last thing, that I’d like to share,

There will be times in your marriage, when you’ll be frustrated with Lynette

Just know that you can call me, if you ever need to vent

You’ll say she’s done this, you’ll say she’s out of line

Just know that I’ll be siding with Lynette, one hundred percent of the time.

You know I love you guys, this is a huge honour, this is major, everyone can raise your glass. To Mr and Mrs Gregory Manderfeld.

Love you guys.

Tom Fletcher: 'I've married this girl, who's out of this world', Tom & Giovanna - 2012

5 December, 2012, One Marylebone, London, United Kingdom

So um, Giovanna can tell you that the only nerves and anxiety I’ve had about the wedding has been about giving this speech. I absolutely hate public speaking. Me and public speaking are just not compatible, we don’t go together very well. I think mainly because I don’t have any idea how to write a good speech, but I do know how to write a song ... so I hope this isn’t cheating my way out of this too much.

Recently i've been
Having a wedding
I've married this girl
Who's out of this world
Believe me

We are so grateful
To so many people
But we're saying thank you
To only a few
I'm sorry

So if i don't thank you
It means i problaby just forgot you

But obviously, that doesn't mean
We are not grateful
Sorry if your name's not in this song
Here we go
I hope i don't get this wrong

Hey, i'm saying thanks to my ushers
My managers and gi's brother
There's so much i could say
But i haven't got all day

So mario thanks for making
The suits us guys are wearing
We're looking fine and that is why
I wrote this song to say

Thank you
Thank you for being my ushers
Thank you
Fletch you're awesome, the coolest guy
Thank you
Thank you for being my ushers
Guys, i gotta tell you
You couldn't be better ushers
Unless you were usher

Bridemaids
I can't stop thanking you
You look amazing
Wish i could marry you too

You all are so special to my new wife gi
And you mean so much to me
'cause you truly are
The best bridemaids that's ever been
Oh, yeah

So thank you's not good enough
For katie and savanna
You've been there when times are rough
So please, don't go changing

So thank you's not good enough
For laura and kara
You've put up with so much stuff
So thank you's not good enough

Giorgina
You're now my sister in law
But giorgina
You were like a sister before

You are truly a friend
And that means a lot
'cause it's pretty cool that
My sister-in-law is so hot

So thank you's not good enough
Carrie you've done so much
I can't believe you're so grown up
So please, don't go changing

Thank you's not good enough
For singing as we tied the knot
So carrie and georgina
Thank you's not good enough

Thanks to my bestmen
You are the best friends
That i know i'll ever have

You're more like brothers
And sometimes lovers
But we won't tell'em about that

We've been together
For what feels like forever
But i'd do it all again and again

But we're only getting started
And i know mcfly will never end

So lets start with harry
You've been there for me
For all the good times and the bad

Dougie without you
Don't know what i'd do
But i know my life would be sad

Thank you danny
For making me happy
By thinking eggs are vegetables

'cause things like that remind me
How lost i'd be without you all

Thanks to my mum
Thanks to my dad
You've both been the best
Mum and dad i could have

I won't say too much
'cause i know you'll start crying
You gave me everything
From music to flying

I'd be nothing without you
So i hope i've made you proud
You've given me an amazing life
And the groom never lies

Thanks to gi's mum
Thanks to gi's dad
Kim's profitoroles
Are the best that i've had

I hope one day
We'll have a son or a daughter
'cause gi will be a great mum
With the things you've taught her

So kim thanks for being
The best mum-in-law in town
And just look into my eyes
'cause the groom never lies

Mario
Mario

You've made me part of your family
You deserve a medallion
Because i know only
How to swear in italian

But i love your daughter
And you let me make her my wife
So i'll love her for i'll my life
And the groom never lies (he cries, though)

Yesterday you asked me something i though you'd knew
But today you made me smile
By saying i do

Then i whispered in your ear and i said thank you
You have made my life worthwhile
By saying i do

And i would answer all your wishes
Don't need to ask me to
And if you deny me one of your kisses
I won't divorce you

So here's my speech
Or really, it's just a song or two
And this one should make you smile
It's all about you

It's all about you, it's all about you baby

And i would wash up all the dishes
If you asked me to
And i'd even dry and put them away
'cause that's what husbands do

So hold me close
And say three words like you used to do
Dancing on the kitchen tiles
Yes, you make my life worthwhile
So i told you with a smile

And i would answer all your wishes
If you asked me too
But if you deny me one of your kisses
Don't know what i'd do

So here's a toast
Please raise your glasses and champagne flutes
It's to my beautiful wife
From today for all my life
Especially on our wedding night
It's all about you

It's all about you, it's all about you baby

It's all about... you

Tom sings in a band called McFly

https://itunes.apple.com/album/memory...
www.twitter.com/tommcfly
www.mcfly.com

Daniel Buccheri: 'They're stuck together for life', for brother Adrian and Sarah - 2015

29 March, 2015, Melbourne, Australia

Guess it’s true, what they say

When you become a man

When you find the one and take her hand

Luckily for you, it all went to plan

And she didn’t say no, ‘cause that’d be sad.

Now you’re here with me,

I’m singing my best man’s speech.

For my brother and his wife

Now they’re stuck together for life.

When we were kids, trying to get to sleep

You’d say to me, ‘be quiet please, I’m trying to get to sleep’

But every breath you took,

Used to sound like this [snooore!]

So when you moved out of home, I thought, 'Thank the Lord

I won’t be missing you.'

And then you hook up, with a special girl,

Thought you were dead!

Never saw you again,

Then she found the ignition,

Let you sleep in the kitchen

Had you feeding the dogs,

Doing the laundry and dishes

Your independence is gone,

No more fun on your own,

Except for your bucks last weekend,

When we were having some fun

And although you met, on the internet

I know this love is true

It’s enough, to let the dogs on your expensive rug

And not keep them outside

And hey my new sister

From anther mister

You look so great on your wedding day

I hope it’s been the perfect day

And hey my new sister

Thanks for making him so

Happy all the time

Because his loneliness had never been a friend of his

So he searched and searched for you

Then one day in the craziness you came along

He couldn’t get you out of his head

It was Sarah this, it was Sarah that,

And Sarah this

Oh I knew that he loved you,

Sarah this, and Sarah that

And Sarah this

Oh I knew that he loved you

[musical interlude]

Adrian now, you’ve become a man,

We’re not the kids, we used to be

Though we’d scream and fight, as children

Now I really like it, when we two meet

I’m so proud of you,

All you’ve done for me,

Do you realise or not,

I’ve always looked up to you,

It’s okay, if it gets you emotional,

It’s the same way, I feel for you,

All the time that's gone,

Where have the years gone,

Adrian, I’ve got so much love for you.

So won’t you raise your glass,

[raise your glasses]

For these, these special two

Wish you nothing but the best

For your lives and all the rest

This is love, it’s clear to see,

Oh this is love, it’s clear to see,

So won’t you raise your glasses with me

This is love, it’s clear to see,

I wish you joy and happiness

For eternity

Thank you guys, have an amazing life, I love you both.