This photo is worth more than 1000 words, she was born in to this role! I said this at her wedding, but I think it's fitting for all of you to know too, I believe in life we all have soulmates and beyond the shadow of a doubt, she is mine. I said then that I was more than happy to hand her over to the love of her life, and now, not long after, the time has come for her handover. If she was a colour she would be yellow (this also happens to be my favourite colour - coincidence? I think not!). Now why, you may ask, it's because, to me, she embodies all things free and good! There is nobody like her, light follows her wherever she goes. There is not a soul on this earth more worthy of the title "maid of honour". FUN FACT: She once told me that if I ever stopped loving her she would skin me alive and roll me in salt.

Better known to me as "My Amber". A day one, she's been around for 10+ years, and undoubtedly for all the days to come! The definition of the phrase "life of the party". Mother to my God-son (he happens to be absolutely GORGEOUS). My favourite TikToker. The toughest woman I know. Ohh, I could type for hours about the countless memories and pure joy that I have shared with this woman, but just know she has seen it all, the good, the bad and everything in between, without even batting an eyelash. Her home has been a safe haven for me over the past few years. I'm talking leaving my own home to go and visit my other (I have to throw some credit in here for her hubby too, my Kelsey). FUN FACT: Will NEVER turn down the opportunity to dance.

One third of the "Three Muskateers" - this magical trio was formed in our second year of university, needless to say we have gone through it together! We always say we owe the achievement of our degrees to one another. Ohhhhhh, there have been many all nighters (for the purposes of both work and play), but let me tell you, she has no problem sleeping until 6pm and then waking up to greet the new day (that evening). Perhaps the most effortlessly funny person I know, as with Nikita, our humour is deeply rooted in insult and mockery (in my opinion this is the best kind of humour). Kelly is travelling from faraway lands (EC) to be with me on my wedding day, which is so special! I can't help but want to sing "reunited and it feels so good!", because it truly is hard when a chunk of your heart lives in another province. FUN FACT: We debated for years (around 3, to be exact) about who had the bigger head. It gives me great pleasure to announce, that one day during a lecture we took the time to measure and, drum roll please, SHE DOES!

Everyone, please say hello to my future sister-in-love! Let me tell you, I'm pretty freakin' lucky! More bubbly than your favourite bottle of champagne, bringer of LOLs, storyteller extraordinaire, Switzerland (perhaps the thing I admire most about her), she is all of this among MANY other things. This is a cliché, but I feel like I have known her forever, I am pretty sure she crawled into my heart, without me even knowing it, on the day we met. Matt said I needed to include this, she is also known as Lollas or Yenifer or Tittie. Also PS: when you're admiring how beautiful my nails look on the day, all I'll say is you know who to call @HudsonsNails (wink wink). FUN FACT: She answers the phone whenever I call by singing the words: "Baby girl you so damn fine though!" - always enthusiastically, and hits the high notes too. FUN FACT #2: When they were kids, if Matt was defeated in "combat" Lauren would return to finish the fight, it usually came after a report that went something like this: "Lauren, they hurting Matthew!"

Another third of the "Three Muskateers" . Nikita, however, was my first real friend at university and I swear it required zero effort. It was surely meant to be. We've been glued together since! Always ready to talk for hours about everything, and also nothing - I'm talking deep meaningful conversations, pondering the meaning of life, problem solving sessions until 5am with intermissions for insults, mockery and laughter. Instrumental in my love developed for deep house and amapiano - nobody loves music more than this woman! She will unapologetically pause movements of significance to tell all present to "just listen to this quickly" or ask "can I play ONE song (SPOILER: It's never just one). FUN FACT: Deeply afraid of and disturbed by vomit but with the utmost dedication once faced cleaning some off my shirt (we won't go in to detail about how it got there).

AKA Rocky... A well deserved title! The eldest of Mumi's hatchlings. A brother that can only be spoken highly of, a true role model and a man who earned the title of Boetta. His presence intimidating yet at the same time as warm as the palm of 1000 angels. I couldn't be more proud to have climbed out the same womb as someone like him. As proud as Mumi was to call you a son, I am to call you my brother. You are a hero Rocky. But most of all, thank you for being your baby brothers' Best Man. The memories might fade Rocky, as the winds of time blow, but the love we share will only grow. Love you always, boetta.

AKA Mr Lakay... We met on our first day starting at WOOLWORTHS together, a few days later we became the best of friends bonding ever since. We went from SMC to AIT and I pray we continue to "break the system" for years to come. Mr Lakay spent months training me on shift (them 12 hour curses) to be where I currently am, my achievements will always have his name written in them. I cannot express just how grateful I am to him for all he has done and all he helped me get through, for he was there when I needed support the most. We have faced the dragons of the North, the Nazgul and Souron, walking out even greater and greyer. He is a true prodigy and a man I will always look up to. I'm ever grateful to have him in my life.

AKA Mr Vlotman... Mr Vlotman and I met in highschool, we were in the same grade and stoner elites! We spent many hours grinding the charts and I appreciate his influence and teachings. Through many bottles and fun times we have come to this point where, not only do I call upon him stand with me as I marry Jamie, but I call upon him as my brother. I have never spent as much time laughing around someone as I do around him. His presence brings me a joy like no other. A character unmatched and never changing lol. I respect Mr Vlotman greatly, I'm excited for the rest of our lives. When he's around I get a sense of home, like my heart is where it should be. If there was ever a void, he is to know he played a big part in filling it. I appreciate him giving me a third chance lol. Mr Vlotman is a man that I can truly say, words cannot express how valued and appreciated you are, the magic that is Mr Vlotman is best experienced with him at your side. I love his aura, it's warm, loving and extremely funny. Blessed Mr Vlotman, thank you for being who you are, you are 1 in 1000000 points! #NASDAQ

AKA Derrums... I met him on a double date where I had to gain approval from himself and Amy-chan in order to date Jamie, I loved his presence and taste in anime immediately! One of the realist niggas I know and a man I'm glad to have met that fateful day . Knowing he will be at my side puts me at ease, I trust and cherish him greatly. We may not have known each other for years and years but the time we have spent together has had an amazing impact on my life. A true friend, a true Otaku and a man I look forward to sharing many more memories and adventures with. Thank you for being a part of my story arc I graaan you bra.

AKA Reeko... This man went from being one of the people I hated most, to someone I cannot live without. When we met I couldn't stand even seeing his face, then he invited me over to play games (Naruto) and immediately he earned my respect for his gameplay was nearly as grand as my own. Over the years we spent hours and days (3 days in a row) gaming. We bonded to a point where "Moms" was always happy to see you, just how "Uncle" was to see me. I am glad he is my friend, I am glad to have met him for we truly understand each others pain. Reeko is a friend amongst friends, a brother in arms and the greatest duelist I know. I am proud to call him my Rival and I'm grateful we have grown to the point of me calling upon you on the greatest day of my life.

To our jiggles, AKA GG. We love you greatly Gia Vava, you are the kid version of Ma and it brings me great joy and your mom great frustration, for you ensure she is always kept in line. Please keep it up, we are all proud of you and your super brain, you may have lost your cute cheeks but you are still our baba! "Super King Matthew Dragon Fire Rune Lord 5 Star Triple OG, sekai ni itami O" - never forget your password GG for the day will come you need it lol. You are an amazing young woman and far more beautiful than Yenifer, but dont let it get to that BIG head, and one day, may you truly be "rich and famous and living the dream, living the dream, living theee dream!"

To our son, we love you and we are so grateful you are as excited as we are (perhaps even a little more considering you ask each day if the wedding is tomorrow), for the start of our forever as an "official" little family. May you always continue to shower us with love, laughter (and grey hairs) in all our days to come. We promise to do that and so much more in return. You are truly one in a million! Here's to waking up almost every Saturday morning when you burst in the room and scream "ARC" to Matthew to signal that you are ready for the gaming session to begin. PS: Know that this kiddo is fully prepared to deal with anyone who poses potential threat to the rings, he has assured us that he is taking his duties very seriously.