My Wedding Speech in Costa Rica

Good evening, everyone.
For those who don’t know me, I’m Julie, and I’ve had the joy of watching Liz and Matt’s story unfold from the very beginning. In fact, it all started over ten years ago at Greg’s birthday party at Odd Duck in Austin, TX. Matt made a drunken confession to everyone and it went like this…

*Takes a shot*
“Lizzie is fucking hot”

And that’s when I realized, my dear friend Matt, had a huge, serious crush on my best friend, Liz.

I was thrilled for this potential chemical concoction – something about Matt and Liz sparked. But I was also a bit worried. After all, they were both newly single, and I didn’t want this spark to fizzle out before it had the chance to grow. Still, deep in my soul, I knew they were perfect for each other. And somehow, so did everyone else. Even their exes saw it coming – before there were any signs to see. No flirting, no one-on-one hangouts, no obvious buildups. But the connection was there, quietly undeniable. What began as a crush has since grown into something rare, something real, something built to last.

Liz and Matt, your journey together is a testament to how love can take root in the most unexpected places—quietly, powerfully, and in perfect timing. It reminds us that something greater often weaves through our lives, even when we don’t realize it. Whether you call it divine orchestration, fate, or simply the mysterious unfolding of the heart, your love is proof that the unseen matters just as much as the seen.

It’s been an honor to witness this journey and to see how it’s led us all to this sacred night—where two souls step into a shared life, not by becoming the same, but by choosing each other fully.

So here’s to Liz and Matt—may your love continue to grow, stretch, and shine. May it reflect the kind of grace that transforms not only your lives, but the lives of everyone around you.

Cheers to the beginning of a beautiful forever.

– Julie Mizuki Walters

6/6/2025