My best friend, Fiona. :) We've known each other for a long time now, 20 years to be exact! Fiona and I first met in grade 9, and, boy am I glad that I invited her to my 14th birthday party because ever since then, we've literally been attached at the hip for the next decade through high school and university! Fiona is that once-in-a-lifetime friend that everyone wants, but only a few of us come across. Fun, loyal, down to earth, understanding, and always honest, I couldn't ask for a better best friend :)
The only thing I could fault Fiona for is moving away to Calgary, but I'm so happy that she has found her forever soulmate in Wilson. :) I'm so honoured to be able to be a part of your big day!!
I would offer up great stories of how Fiona and I met, which involved a lot of dodgeballs, but for the sake of time I’ll just fast forward to one of my favourite memories of this girl! One word: Chungmuro. Fi is one of the most genuine and honest people I know. She’s never afraid to tell it how it is, even if things can be difficult to hear. She’s smart and generous, and never fails to put a smile on my face. I’m incredibly happy for Fiona & Wilson, and can’t wait for the big day! xoxo love you!
I met Fiona when we were freshmen in university back in 2004. I noticed an Asian girl heading out of our res (probably only like 3 Asian girls on our floor), walking in the same direction as me towards Business 101. Although we were awkward and shy as most freshmen are, we eventually became very close throughout our university life sharing our ups and downs, laughter and tears. It's been 15 years since I've known Fiona, and now I consider her as one of my closest, most treasured friends. Although we are physically far apart and I do not get to see her often, I feel like it was only yesterday since we've been apart when I do see her. Fiona I love you and wish you all the happiness in the world because you are truly an amazing person.
"He was not conspicuously tall, his features were striking but not conspicuously handsome. His hair was short and stood up like sparse cacti in the desert. His skin seemed to be pulled backward from the nose. There was something very slightly odd about him, but it was difficult to say what it was. Perhaps it was that his eyes didn't seem to blink often enough and when you talked to him for any length of time your eyes began involuntarily to water on his behalf. Perhaps it was that he smiled slightly too broadly and gave people the unnerving impression that he was about to go for their neck."
A tale of two wrists:
I met Wilson in the emergency waiting room of a walk-in clinic. We were both holding our wrists and accompanied by our mothers. Wilson always re-tells this as the time we both broke our wrists and started our bond as friends…I’m pretty sure I just badly sprained my wrist, but Wilson was always good at elevating stories. He was destined to be a lawyer.
As we proceeded on our journey through High School we would continue to strengthen our friendship, and our wrists. We bonded over our enjoyment of art. I would use my repaired wrist to help create the art and Wilson would use his to sign it. It was a great partnership.
All jokes aside, Wilson will always be one of my most cherished friends; and I hope we will remain that way till wrists do us part.
“QUICK! THERE’S NO TIME TO EXPLAIN! JASON, WE NEED TO GO!”
I whirl around and shield my face as I can feel the wormhole tugging at my suit jacket. I have to squint at the bright lights and gusting winds as the portal ripped through time and space.
Then I see him.
Faint at first…just an outline…but as his face comes into focus and I see him reaching out to me with his outstretched hand…there is no denying it. It was Wilson.
“Oh my god! Wilson! I haven’t seen you in-“
He reaches out. Looking me in the eyes he grabs my collar without saying a word and yanks me into the portal with him. We blink out of existence.
…
As we fly through the cosmos, I see glimpses of what is to come. At first small and fleeting, but as time went on the images became more clear and vivid.
I see memories not yet formed. Moments of Wilson and Fiona at their wedding. Of them traveling and seeing the world together. Of their happy moments. And their sad.
I see their love for their friends and family. I their determination reaching for new goals and dreams yet to conquer. I see them sitting in rocking chairs as their bones start to ache. I see them embrace each other with the love that will last a lifetime.
Suddenly, a burst of light sends me back to the beginning. I see a young child running through a grass field. This little fat kid with a bowl haircut runs with heavy breath. He runs up to another young child and stammers.
“H-H-Hi I’m Wilson! Nice to meet you!”
My younger self stammers back.
“H-H-Hi, I’m Jason.”
As old memories flicker in and out of existence, it’s clear Wilson always had a way with people. With one friend made, that was only the beginning. I see Wilson making friends through his humor as a child. Through his loyalty as an adult. And through his story telling as an old man.
And finally…we arrive.
He beckons to me and gestures toward the portal.
I peer through the void and to my surprise I see Wilson. Younger, a bit less confident, but unmistakably Wilson. Standing at a bus station. Nervously checking his watch. Waiting…for someone.
I look back and see his face once again. I finally notice how different he looks. His hair has greyed and years of laughter has caused his face to wrinkle. He gives me a nod.
I know what I must do.
I stretch my hand out of the portal, reaching desperately for this young man.
“QUICK! THERE’S NO TIME TO EXPLAIN! WILSON, WE NEED TO GO!”
Position: Groomsman
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 205lbs
40 Yard Dash: 11.30 seconds
Hometown: Calgary, AB
Alma Mater: Sir Winston Churchill
Years of Experience with Groom: 20 years
Favorite Hobbies with Groom: Backyard wrestling and playing N64
Despite being utterly terrified of birds, Ricky is willing to risk everything for his big brother (including leaving his newborn behind) and return to Europe to face his deepest, darkest fears.... (it's pigeons, normal, everyday pigeons)
I met Wilson when I was a young lawyer and Wilson was still in law school. Time has quickly flown by with intermittent and precious memories formed along the way.
Whether it was a soccer team, a Halloween party, a quick work lunch, or a weekend dim sum meal, I have grown to know Wilson as an intelligent, warm, trustworthy, and dependable friend.
Through Wilson I have had the opportunity to meet the lovely Fiona. It is clear Wilson and Fiona are fortunate to have chosen each other.
I remember spontaneously reaching out to Wilson one day over social media quite a while ago and Wilson told me he was about to propose to Fiona at the Eiffel tower in Paris. Wilson was a little nervous that day, but everything has worked out how it was meant to.
When Wilson and Fiona told me they were thinking about getting married in Portugal, I initially tried to talk them out of it. I thought it would be a big hassle and too expensive. Wilson explained to me that what he really wanted was to be together with the people he cared about and to have fun together.
Once I understood the intention and how serious they both were, I said "if anyone can do it , you two can do it". It would appear I was not mistaken.
Wilson and Fiona are a great team and an inspiration. I feel very honoured that I and my little Josephine can be a small part of this magical and wonderful celebration.
Josephine Mairead dos Santos (Josie, Joz, Jozue) is three and a half years and sometimes says she is four and a "big girl".
Josie met Fiona and Wilson a few times over the last year or two and has bonded with this very special and lovely couple initially over dim sum and later over flower girl dress shopping.
Josie likes rainbows and unicorns and the colour pink. It is highly likely Josie has the equivelant of a toddler girl crush on Fiona (sorry Wilson).
This willl be Josie's first time being a flower girl and her second time in Portugal. Although she doesn't look it, Josie is actually half Portuguese on her father's side.
Josie can't wait for Fiona and Wilson's big day, to share her mischievous smile and winning way with everyone present!
