First of all, I would like to thank everyone present here today, Milan’s family in particular, and all the friends who have traveled from near or far to attend this incredibly important event: the wedding of Alicia and Milan.

Alicia was born in the very heart of the Brussels winter, and for someone who truly blossoms in the sun, it wasn't a given! Her first outing was bundled up tight under falling snowflakes; heavy coats, gloves, and beanies were her daily life during her first few months. But that was without counting on the joyful and life-of-the-party personality of this adorable little girl. Always happy, always moving—and she certainly knew a thing or two about movement, swaying to Michael Jackson songs before she could even walk. Later on, in her stroller, we would pace the streets of Brussels, singing at the top of our lungs.

Then began our nomadic life. As you probably know, my job took us to cities that were all incredibly different from one another. We went from Brussels to Paris, then Lisbon, then to the African continent in Maputo, followed by a return—oh, how difficult that was—to France, in Nantes. Then back to Africa, in Luanda, followed by a lovely two-year stay at her grandmother’s in Thuir, where she formed lifelong friendships, as proven by everyone here today. Luanda wasn’t our most beautiful destination; Alicia was bored to death at the French high school there and spent most of her time writing songs during class instead of listening to the teachers... Our last destination together would be Washington.

Finally, it was in Amsterdam that she would pack away her suitcases for several years and meet Milan.

While all these destinations might sound interesting or even exotic, we shouldn't downplay the difficulty of having to adapt every 3 to 4 years to a new country, a new environment, and making new friends every single time. It isn't easy, and yet Alicia did it with disconcerting ease, blending into the local landscape and juggling languages:

Perfect Portuguese in Lisbon, the singsong accent of Mozambican Portuguese in Maputo, an American accent in Washington, and maybe even a Catalan accent in Thuir...

In the end, it was perhaps Dutch that gave her the hardest time. Milan, I’m counting on you to help Alicia improve on that minor shortcoming...

Aside from Alicia’s joyful personality and her multiple artistic talents (she gave us a memorable show on stage at the international school in Maputo, channeling Michael Jackson and his famous moonwalk!), I must admit she was a very easy child to raise, loving, and a source of immeasurable support to me when we accidentally lost her father. It is thanks to her that I made it through, and that the three of us were able to keep moving forward on our little path in life.

Alicia is also a beautiful person with a huge heart.

In Maputo, she would drag me to the local orphanage to spend the afternoon looking after the children (if I had listened to her, we would have adopted at least one—which I actually almost did).

In Washington, I was recruited as her personal driver to do outreach in poor neighborhoods, bringing food and blankets to the homeless. And as if that weren't enough, at the age of 16, she organized a charity concert to fund water pumps for villages in Africa...

Later, while studying in California, she decided to rescue a puppy from the hands of an abusive owner, hiding him in her apartment for months even though pets were strictly forbidden! That dear dog TACO—because yes, that's exactly who we're talking about—forced us to move when she came back to Washington because animals were banned in our building too!

That is just so typical of Alicia! But I believe that when it comes to animal welfare, as with many other aspects of life, Alicia and Milan are on the exact same wavelength.

MILAN, the man with the magnificent blue eyes, just as she described him to me after meeting him for the very first time...

MILAN... I think that aside from his beautiful eyes, Milan has many other qualities, and he complements Alicia beautifully. Milan is always there to channel her incredible energy, offer his wise advice, and above all, encourage her in all her projects.

I know he is a pillar of strength for Alicia.

And even if you have to face hardships, you will face them together, just as you always have up until now.

Alicia, Milan, you are a perfect match of love and you make a true team. I am so proud of you both.

TOAST

I raise my glass to your marriage. May the future bring you all the joy and happiness you so truly deserve!