Good evening, everyone. For those who don’t know me, I’m Manisha, Nina’s oldest sister. Except, Nina is not what typically I call her. I call her Naniben. Nani - baby. Ben - sister. Naniben. Baby sister.
Tonight, I see her sitting there, a grown person who just married her best friend a couple of hours ago, a strong, smart, sassy, gorgeous woman, but even still, the fact remains, she’ll always be my baby sister.
Nina and I have a solid sisterhood, and very close friendship. We have always confided in each other and asked for advice. So, I knew something in Nina’s world had shifted very shortly after she came home from her first break in college. She had a long distance suitor at the time, but all of her stories revolved strangely around this boy from Long Island, a charming, funny, bookworm with the surname: Mogavero. Sara and I teased our 18 year old sister about her “boyfriend Michael.” “My best friend,” she would quickly correct. Sara and I would glance at each other as if to say “yeah right, just a friend.”
Except now, all these years later, it’s clear to me that in those moments, all three of us were all right. Michael is her best friend, yes, but never “just a friend.” As I’ve watched these two come into their own, I see a steady partnership has emerged - a strong, responsible, and steadfast partnership.
You know what else I see when I watch them, though? I see a funny, solid, fulfilling friendship. Michael and Nina live for adventure, and know how to find, make, and have fun. They are playful together, often affectionally and gently teasing the other. They make each other laugh all the time. They listen, and take each other’s concerns seriously. Every chance they have, they find things to do together - and most importantly, they enjoy each other while they do it - kayaking, spearfishing, traveling. As any pair of good friends should, the two of them continuously remember, explore, and identify with the things that made them even like each other in the first place.
To Nina - Nani, I love, adore and treasure you. I look up to you as much as I look out for you, and I am so happy to see you married to your best friend.
To Michael - Brother, I love, adore and treasure you. If I could have designed a partner for Nina, it would have been you.
To both of them - Michael and Nina, love, adore and treasure each other. Protect each other from the world, but protect your friendship above all us.
So now, if everyone could please raise their glasses, a toast - to Nina and Michael. May you remain fabulous friends forever. Congratulations.
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