Mike's vows to Aude

Aude,

First of all, I'm just glad you pulled the "do-your-vows-in-a-second-language" card during the wedding planning process!

Over the last year, in the time we haven't spent wedding planning (which frankly doesn’t seem like much these days), I've spent thinking about you and our relationship, trying to put down into words what it all means to me.

Aude, I still remember the exact moment when I read your WhatsApp message telling me you needed to reschedule our first date, how close I was to canceling, and how something inside me told not to… that something about this girl could be different. Someone that I hadn't even met, somehow I thought to myself, could be the type of woman I could see myself marrying. It sounds crazy, but what I've come to realize is that love itself is crazy.

A kid from a tight-knit California family meets a girl from a tight-knit French family…while living in Miami, during a once-in-a-century pandemic, goes to Tulum on a third date, takes their relationship trans-Atlantic and then settles down together in LA. Crazy enough?

Aude, I still remember the minute I met you. You came to our first date with your make-good jar of salted caramel, as promised, and with a smile on your face, a smile that three years later, I've rarely ever seen missing from your face. Aude, the truth is, you have a sense of happiness and optimism about you that I've rarely ever seen in a person.

But back to the salted caramel! It really meant everything to me. It meant everything because it's exactly what I would have done. And it's exactly what I did!

But I won't pretend like I can compete with your salted caramel. Nor can I compete with the care and thoughtfulness you put into it three years ago. It's the same care and thoughtfulness I've seen you put into every friendship, every relationship, and of course, in caring for Nox! Whether in your rainboots in the pouring rain or your heels after a late night out with yes, a few too many tequila shots, the love and care you show Nox is remarkable. It's the same love and care that leaves no doubt in my mind that you will be the most amazing wife and hopefully mother one day!

Aude, I can't believe how lucky I am to get to marry you. You're everything. Kind, loving, smart, and of course, beautiful. When I'm with you, it's like nothing else in the world matters. You inspire me to be the best version of myself and challenge me to reach new heights. You're always up for an adventure and I can't wait to embark on the adventure of life together.

Aude, today is the best day of my life. But when the music turns down and the fireworks are over and it's just us, that's what this is really about and that's what I'm really excited for. Spending every day with you, waking up next to you, cheering on your successes and supporting you through life's challenges. When life gives us lemons, I promise I'll make cocktails!

Aude, I promise to love you with my full heart every day for the rest of my life. I promise to cherish you and our relationship…to build and to strengthen…trust and respect…share and compromise…listen and empathize. I promise to always put you and our relationship first. I promise to be your best friend, biggest fan, and lifelong dance partner!

You know, people always say "love requires work". And maybe they're right. But as someone who knows a thing or two about work and effort, I can honestly say that loving you is one of the most effortless things I've done in my life.

Aude, I have spent my entire life searching for perfection… often driving myself, you, and probably everyone else here a little crazy in the process. People always tell me, "Perfection doesn't exist." I don’t agree.

Perfection is your smile when I come home every night,

The way you make sure to do your hair just right.

Perfection is the way you can't help but dance to Enrique

Perfection is…you and me. Every day.

Je t'aime mon ange!

Photos