Armin Hasanbegovic
Best Man
Emir first met me when he was a little bit less than 5 years old. For the next 13 or so years we were inseparable. Mainly because we shared a bedroom. He was always taller than me but that changed not too long ago. I take much pride in that now. Growing up, playing basketball and video games was fun. He would always get the good controller, the good side of the keyboard, the car in Monopoly, and godamn Mario (leaving me with Luigi). He would bulldoze me in basketball and then have the audacity to call a defensive foul. It was pretty much a very regular younger brother older brother dynamic. But he did teach me to program, and he also bought me my first non-plastic rollerblades. I also remember him sprinting after a few kids that were picking on me when we first moved to Toronto. I didn't forgot those things Emir. I'm not a man of many words, sooooooo Love you. XOXOXOX
Kyle Partridge
Bridseman
I walked into McDonalds for my interview and I was so nervous. I went to my seat and this girl walked over and she had really long hair. Loooooong hair. Like to the bum long. She introduced herself as Laura, one of the Shift Managers, and 10 years later we still get along as well as we did those first 5 minutes. It may have started with the fact that we both went to Mayfield for Drama, but quickly we developed a strong bond that I still cherish to this day. Whether it was me getting my first real taste of downtown by hanging out at the condo with her and Robert, introductions to martinis and new restaurants, connecting over music, countless Pride Parades or our 10 day, mostly fun-filled trip to Costa Rica, every hang out, every conversation has made me feel like I've got a friendship that'll last forever. She's been there for me through thick and thin, as have her wonderful parents, and I am beyond happy that I get to stand up there with her as her Bridesman - plus I get to wear a sweet suit as well!
Heather Payne
Bridesmaid
Laura and I met when I was 15 at Wal-Mart McDonald's in Brampton. I'd just gotten a job there, and Laura was a manager. I quickly (almost effortlessly) became one of her favourites, but it wasn't until I was promoted to management that the fun really began. From making scripted announcements about "Manager's Specials" over Wal-Mart's PA system, tag-teaming busy Saturdays and taking on special projects to make our store better, we were always on the same wavelength when it came to work. Outside of work, we became friends, with Laura introducing me to a lot of "firsts" throughout my formative teenage years. I went away to school, and then moved to China, but a chance encounter with Laura upon my return set the rest of my life in motion. We hadn't seen each other in years, but her company was hiring, and I needed a job. We started working together for the second time, and our friendship outside of work flourished. Laura and I work together again, this time as partners. Our relationship has many layers, and is made up of a wonderful and unique blend of professional and personal. There's always so much to talk about. I couldn't be more excited to be part of Laura and Emir's special day. They're wonderful together, and perfect for each other.
John Poetker
Groomsman
I first met Emir at what used to be the A & P warehouse, we were lifting boxes while Emir was making his long journey through school, and happen to have a conversation about music. Since, we have been to more concerts than I can remember, and some we can't. Through the years I've had a chance to meet Emir's wonderful friends and family. When I met Laura, I knew Emir had found someone special. Although she has not yet joined us for a concert I look forward to many years of wonderful friendship with the both of them.
April McConkey
Bridsemaid
I met Laura in Grade 8 at the Mayfield highschool orientation. I knew then that we would be friends with our nerdy sweatshirts, me in my Northern Reflections and Laura in her... Mickey Mouse possibly. I remember the first time I had to remind Laura to swallow her fries because if you got Laura laughing while she was eating fries and coke it was unpredictable, to say the least. Unpredictable was also our Thursday girls night outs, which were mostly spent in Toronto "hitting the clubs", jumping the turnstiles at the subway to make the last train or hopping into a random limo. Life was always unpredictable with Laura Plant. I am so glad that Emir is taking care of my precious Laura, but don't forget Emir, if you ever need me I will be there. PS, Emir if you hurt my Laura....you know....
Dzemal Trtak
Groomsman
Well for me this story began in 1994, on the first day of school, 4th grade. We were all going down a staircase for lunch and I heard a boy ask me, "Hey whats your name?" and I answered, "Dzemal, you?". So he replied, "Emir. Since we're both Bosnian we should be friends." And so it was. So now, you guys must be wondering where this is all going. Well, it brings us to 2011 when my wife and I were first introduced to Laura.
It was Canada day and we had the pleasure, Rachel and I, to spend the weekend with the couple, as well as Deanna, Wayne, and Shirley. It was like we never missed a beat, as it always was between Emir and I ever since his family had moved to Toronto. It felt the same with Laura the first time we met her, as if she already belonged to the family.
We were team LauraEmir from then on.
Katelyn Plant
Maid of Honour
Years ago, and infant so, my mother held me down below. To a youngster she did show, a canvas blank, a Plant to grow. Off to the school, to show and tell, where little ones, learn to spell. The youngster held me, till the bell, and proudly wished her sister well. As years went on, the youngster grew, her tiny Plant began to bloom. She taught me much, and all she knew, and mothered me as sisters do. She dressed me up, and spun me 'round, like figure skaters, but carpet bound. And if I toppled to the ground, two loving hands would soon surround. Next a lunch, thank you and please, her favourite thing to hate: grilled cheese. Or Hamburger Helper! Or Ricearonie! These were Laura's specialities. But as I grew, she grew beyond, and explored the world outside our lawn. At dusk the city, and home by dawn, she often left, but never gone. A while more, her condo years, with morning teas and evening beers. Strings and songs and paintbrush smears, we'd fall asleep as morning nears. Hard at work, but loves to play, thanks for editing all my resumes! And making sure that I'm okay, and always knowing what to say. A wedding gown, and corral tie, I cannot promise that I won't cry. The world approaches, this wife to be, and no matter what she'll always have me
Deanna Hergert
Bridesmaid
April and I had grade 10 history class together. We both loved Jewel and that was pretty much all you needed to find a bosom friend in those days, or in the very least, be invited to her cool Hallowe'en party. Riding in the back of my father's pick-up truck, I nervously approached my first high school party. I was a country girl, and this was a city party - the kind of thing I needed my grade-school best pal, Mel Hanisch, to walk beside me through, just in case everyone there was too cool to even consider talking to me. The most dreaded moment by far was walking through the door, where potentially everyone in the room was going to look up from what they were doing to see who the latest arrival to the party was. Thankfully we entered almost completely unnoticed, except of course by our gracious host. But what was that chaos happening in the corner?! Some poor, awkward, girl curled up in a ball with legs and arms flailing as she is being attacked by a crowd of silly-string projectiles; I remember it like it were yesterday. What a sight! She had to be the dorkiest, most awkward person at the party....and I knew immediately that she and I would get along juuuuust fine. The rest of that evening sealed the deal, with good ole' fashion clapping games and a session of voice-straining Jewel sing-a-long. It was destiny.
Robert Joseph Martin
Groomsman
Emir (insert myriad nicknames) and I became friends in our early days at U of T, through our mutual association with the Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI). Living together in the Chapter house on Madison Ave, we shared many hilarious and noteworthy experiences. Emir has always been a great brother and true friend, it will be a pleasure to stand by his side on this special day. Laura is a very special lady. We were all very pleased when Emir met her. The two of them are obviously meant for one another and over the years this has only become more evident. I was there when they made the first steps to live together, eventually becoming engaged. I could not be happier for them and to be a part of their lives and this wedding celebration.
Gurpreet Lakhanpal
Bridesmaid
I met Laura in 1995 on the playground at our middle school. We were enrolled in different classrooms, yet somehow, perhaps through our common love of Leonardo DiCaprio in Baz Luhrmann's production of Romeo and Juliet or our unconventional style of wearing overalls, plaid shirts and platform Converse-esque shoes we became fast friends. Fortunately our styles have since matured and I am so blessed to have remained great friends with Laura over the years. She is a true gem of a friend! I am honored to be part of your special day with Emir!
Adrian William Barek
Groomsman
Once upon a time, Adrian and Emir met while pledging a fraternity at U of T. As an undergrad, Emir was known for his long hair, shabby clothes and shirking responsibility in favour of playing epic guitar solos well into night. In a transformation fit for reality television, Emir cleaned himself up by cutting his hair, buying some new clothes and focusing on school and work. When the lovely and enchanting Laura entered Emir's life, his fairy tale transformation from awkward caterpillar to beautiful butterfly was complete. Adrian is honoured to be a part of of Laura & Emir's wedding, which marks the happy end of one story and the first chapter of another. Congrats!
Joseph Adam Plant
Groomsman
Once upon a time
In a place much like this
There lived a darling princess
Who had but one wish.
For that of a prince
For her and no other
And as fate sometimes twists
She landed a brother.
But a cruel disappointment
Is not what she'd felt.
This princess made due
with the hand she'd been dealt.
She loved her new friend
And did from the start.
Yet something still missed
From with'n her heart.
She searched long and hard
For the fateful ommition,
And it all soon made sense
As if it'd been written.
A sonnet inscribed
On the hallways of time
Will lead to elation
and conflation of soul.
And a love that shines brightest
When it peaks through the clouds
Leaves a brother inspired
and a family proud.
For to love is to live;
A worth while toll,
'Cause it's only in giving
that we find ourselves whole.
