May 2024: The real packaged deal

On April 6, I had the honor to serve as Best Man for the wedding of Chris and Katie Balestras.

It was a night that I will never forget- filled with so much love and live music. Every detail was nailed to perfection. And a fancy weekend away in New York City for a bunch of stressed parents brought an extra level of energy that will be hard to replicate.

At the center of the festivities was an amazing couple who deserved the most epic celebration. And I get the sense that their party is just getting started.

So if you can raise a glass, here’s my toast to Katie and Chris:

“… I’ve been best friends with Chris for about 15 years.  We met at Penn State, joined the same fraternity, and since Day 1 we’ve been each other’s ultimate wingman. 

We were a packaged deal like Vince Vaughn & Owen Wilson from Wedding Crashers…or some might even say…Joey Fatone & JT from Nsync.  

Whatever comparison you want to make…It was always “Balestras & Janiec.”  

And as each others’ wing man:

1. We could always count on each other to get the party started.  Even if we might’ve overused the cheesy toast from Hitch one too many times during our fraternity pregames. 
2. When the live 90s cover band would play songs like “Mr. Brightside” or “American Girl,” we’d always run up to each other with our air guitars singing together at the top of our lungs. 
3. We’ve always cracked each other up and have never run out of things to talk about.  Even as life has gotten busy, Chris- you still keep in touch better than anyone I know.
4. We’ve always been there to encourage each other to be the best versions of ourselves. 
5. And as we’ve grown up and navigated big life decisions, we’ve often turned to each other for guidance.  

So when Chris called me up and told me about this super smart, fun, beautiful girl named Katie that he met in the cocktail lounge at the New York Athletic Club (NYAC), I knew I needed to meet her.

So I went up for their Christmas Party a few weeks later and got to see how awesome she really was.

And I’ll never forget that night at the Christmas Party, when the live band played “Mr. Brightside,” I ran over to sing the chorus with Chris as we always do.

But this time he turned away from me to sing with Katie!…That was the moment I knew that this must be real.

The next morning at breakfast, Chris was blabbering on about how he’s falling in love.  All I could say was “Yeah, you gotta marry her!” 

Katie- you are everything Chris described and more.  As I’ve gotten to know you, I’ve also seen you are one of the most thoughtful and caring people I’ve ever met. 

For the record, my 5-year old daughter puts “Aunt Katie” up there on a pedestal with Taylor Swift as one of her role models. 

So if I’m going to officially pass the torch as “Chris’ best friend and #1 wing-person,” I’m so glad that it’s to this beautiful bride right here.  Because you two are the real packaged deal!

I mean- clearly you know how to throw a party! You two would’ve made a far better social chair duo for Pike than Chris and I ever did.

I love that you make each other laugh and you’re always doing something fun. 

You both really support and bring out the best in each other.  Before you met, you were both really thriving and enjoying your own separate New York City lives, but you soon found out that you’re even better together. 

I love how you immediately embraced each other’s friends and family as your own.  I mean look around at all the friends and family that you brought together here tonight.  It’s a special group because you’re a special couple.

And yes, I love the way you sing your favorite 90s songs together.  Katie, I’ll gladly hand over my air guitar to you, any day of the week.  But promise me this, when you’re 80 years old, you still better be belting out these jams!

As we heard in the ceremony today: your love is patient, it is kind, and it is powerful.  And I can’t wait to see the life you two build together.

Chris- as our favorite movie character, Hitch, says: “Life Is Not Measured By the Number of Breaths We Take, but By the Moments That Take Our Breath Away”

This right here – tonight- is one of those moments.

And I’m excited for you two to experience all the moments that will take your breath away from this day forward. 

So in my final act as your wingman…to officially pass the torch, I need you guys to come up here so we can do the toast from Hitch one more time.  

Everyone, please raise your glass:

“Never lie steal cheat or drink…

But if you must lie, lie in the arms of the one you love

if you must steal, steal away from bad company

if you must cheat, cheat death

and if you must drink, drink to the moments that take your breath away.”

Cheers to Katie & Chris!”

Here’s a recording of the actual toast: