Speech by Andrew Moir

Speech Type: Best man
Speech Creator: Andrew Moir
Speech Date: sep 2002
Good Evening everyone. For those of you who don't know me, my name is Andrew Moir, and I am very honored to have been Mario's best man today. I would first like thank Sue and Mario for arranging such a splendid reception hall and inviting everyone to share this special day with you both. I would also like to thank each one the guests for coming, especially those who traveled far to be here for this great day.

Now I've known Mario for a long time. And what I thought I'd talk about today is the Mario I've known through the years… as seen through my eyes.

I first met Mario in 1982 when we started Grade 9 together at Canterbury High School. That was way back 20 years ago in the days when Michael Jackson came out with Thriller, kids in grade 9 wore pants that fit, and of course that year, Italy won the world cup in soccer.

Now, when Mario started high school he wasn't the lean and fit man you see today! He was kind of pudgy, shy, and he read a lot of comic books basically….he was a dork. I know it must be hard for you to picture him like that….If only you could see him as I saw him when I first met him…….oh wait a minute….I just happen to have his grade 9 school year book picture! [Show big blown up picture to everyone] Ahh yes THIS is the Mario I first met back then. Well since I was pudgy and liked comic books too… we soon became fast friends.

We spent time together outside of school as well, especially as we both ended up working at the same place for our very first job. ….The Golden Arches…McDonalds! While working here we were known as the closing crew, as we were often working together in the last shift of the night. While I had the easy life working the cash and asking people if they would like fries with that, Mario was in back sweating over the grill cooking Big Macs and Chicken Nuggets. Ah yes those were the days. I know it must be hard for you to imagine Mario working at McDonalds, dressed in polyester and wearing those funny old paper hats, especially now with him all dressed up today……If only you could see him as I knew him back then….oh wait a minute……this might help… [put on McDonalds hat and shirt on Mario] Ahhhh yes THIS is the Mario I knew back then. Well we soon got sick of the food and finally left our careers at McDonalds behind us.

Now we all know that in High School, boys and girls notice each other, romance blooms and soon the're dating. But, I have to say, that I think Mario's first love ….was his bike! At some point I don't remember exactly when, he discovered this fantastic invention, and from that point on he was always on his bike. Soon he was cycling everywhere, …he started to buy lighter and more expensive bikes, and began to enter competitive races! I say his bike was his first ‘love’ because it….was a complex relationship. He lavished attention on her…ahh it, took pride in the appearance of her …ahh it, Spent lots of money on her…ahh it, and spent all his time on top of and riding …..ahh it. I knew it was a serious relationship when he started to make extreme life style changes…..Like the strange day Mario showed up to school with his legs shaved, his head shaved…..and who knows what else shaved! You know…Mario, It can be pretty traumatic when your close buddy in high school starts shaving his legs… and head…now I know this must be hard to picture today, what with him all dressed up and all….if only you see him as I knew him back then….oh wait a minute……this might help… [put on swimming cap with hair dots]. Ahhhh yes THIS is the Mario I knew back then.

After High School Mario and I went our separate ways for a few years. Mario worked in Florida for a while before ending up at the University of Waterloo studying Kinesiology…the science of movement and sports medicine. Although I always suspected he just took it to learn how to give a really great massage…..any comment on that Sue? Mario then continued to move around, working in Toronto, Ottawa, living in Italy for a year, then moving back to Ottawa and while studying computer programming.

Eventually he ended up working in the high tech business on a contract in Paris, France for a year. When this ended he came back to Ottawa to stay. I knew he had changed and matured during his time away in France. He had been living on his own, in huge city, in a different culture, where apparently they never get haircuts because when Mario came back from France he had huge hair…with long black locks! His hair must have fought back after all those years of shaving his head. I know it must be impossible to picture what he must have looked like,….if only you could see him as I knew him back then… oh wait a minute….this might help…..[put big black wig on Mario]…..ahhh yes THIS is the Mario I knew back then!

So here he was back in town, with the crazy hair still working successfully as a developer in high tech….and then he met Sue. Within a week of meeting her his hair was cut (and I think he was showering again), and he was the happiest I had seen him since he discovered his bike. I remember one Sunday in particular. It was about a month after Mario and Sue had been going out. Mario and I were eating bagels at a shop after inline skating together and I asked Mario “So tell me about this new girl you are seeing”….and boy what he told me…she was wonderful! She was beautiful! She was smart and sexy! She had a Masters in Biology, had a successful career in high tech, was a talented singer that sang regularly in a Disco band. And she also had her own Karokee business on the side, which she managed herself. Wow! I was impressed! But Mario what the heck does she see in you??

Mario and Sue's relationship continued to blossom and well…here we all are celebrating the happy couple on their wedding day. I've had had the pleasure of getting to know Sue, … Mario….You couldn't have made a better choice!

Its clear that Mario's life was leading up to this day with Sue. In grade 9 he and I became friends….and here I am honored to be best man at his Wedding. From McDonalds he learned the importance of avoiding fast food and eating healthy, his bike taught him to keep fit and active, and his homecoming from France and his meeting Sue taught him the importance of personal hygiene. All of these attributes I'm sure Sue has noticed and appreciated…especially the hygiene.

Sue, Mario, I'd like to say how happy I am for the both of you, and how honored I am to be a part of this very special day for you both.

I would now like your indulgence as I make a few toasts:

First off a toast to the lovely Maid of Honour and the beautiful bridesmaids who did such a excellent job today. Thank-you.

Next, to the proud parents of the bride and groom, Mrs. Porebski, Mr. Mastrangelo and Mrs. Mastrangelo thank you for helping make this, such a special day.

And lastly, It would give me great pleasure, to invite you all to stand and raise your glasses to join me in a toast to Sue and Mario, the bride and groom. We wish you health, happiness and a long and fruitful life together. Cheers!

Thank You