Munira Premji

July 31, 2016

I have loved Sabrina every day of her life.  I remember how beautiful it felt to hold her in my arms for the first time, 28 years ago.   She clasped my finger with her tiny little hands and from that moment on, she captured our hearts, love and imagination.

As a child, Sabrina would rush into our room in the morning, climb up the exercise bike and jump on our bed while shouting at the top of her lungs, “Good Morning World.  It’s going to be a Fabulous Day!”  Her enthusiasm was contagious and her energy was boundless.  She taught us to play.  We have wonderful memories of 10-year old Sabrina organizing Friday night arts and crafts activities in the basement where she would be the teacher encouraging us to draw and paint, have tea parties with little cups and saucers, and read out stories aloud.  Her dreams were enormous and as we cuddled in bed together one day, I remember her telling me that she wanted to be a teacher on Monday, a doctor on Tuesday, an explorer on Wednesday, a scientist on Thursday, and a President on Friday. When I asked, “What about Saturdays and Sundays?” she promptly responded “A mommy!”

As a teenager, Sabrina lived in Shayne’s oversized, hand-me-down t-shirts and jerseys.  Her joy came from playing baseball, hockey and basketball.  I loved our “cuddle-cuddle” time and tucking her in every night.  I loved how she shared details of how her day went.   I remember asking her an endless stream of questions; listening to her talk about her dreams and hopes. Playfulness gave way to reflection, introspection and structure as she planned out her life.

As she became an adult, we could not keep track of all her wonderful accomplishments and we watched with wonder as she tackled one thing after another in her own quiet and humble way.  In the past year alone, Sabrina has been recognized by Elle Magazine as Canada’s Female Entrepreneur of the Year.  She wrote a speech for the Queen of Sweden at the UN.  She was featured in Vanity Fair and The Guardian.  And somehow, she found the time to turn down Harvard and graduate from Columbia with a Masters in Public Administration in Development Practice.

As a mom watching Sabrina grow up, I used to wonder who would possibly be special enough for her.  Who would be the one.   And for the longest time there wasn’t anyone she liked enough to date.  We had a standing joke that she was a late bloomer and that one day she would find her Prince Charming when she least expected it.  Then she met Afzal and told us that he was the one that made her soul dance.  This is before they had even started dating when she was moving halfway around the world to work in Kenya.  When we finally got to meet Afzal, we could see the attraction in the way they looked at each other, in the way they brought out the best in each other and in the way they just fit. We knew that the two of them were destined to be together

Today Sabrina married her Prince Charming, her soulmate, the love of her life, Afzal, in a beautiful ceremony where they pledged their love and promise to each other.

Sabrina – You are pretty much my most favourite person of all time, in the history of ever.  As you and Afzal begin your journey together we wish for you an outrageously brilliant future together filled with wonderful adventures and new paths to travel.  We wish for you your heart’s desire, every need met, every prayer answered and every dream come true.  And we pray that God’s grace and mercy always be with you.

To get a glimpse into the wedding ceremony, we invite you to watch the same-day-edit video below:

41 Comments

  • Anonymous , August 12, 2016

    Congratulations to the whole family! Beautiful bride &handsome groom!Wishing Sabrina & Afzal a lifetime of happiness good health & barakaat.Thanks for sharing such beautiful story & the ceremony!

    • Munira Premji , August 12, 2016

      Thanks! It is a beautiful story and I am teary-eyed every time I see the video. Amen to all your prayers.

  • mylegacytoyou , August 8, 2016

    Beautiful bride, ceremony, and pictures! Congratulations to the happy couple. You look gorgeous as always Munira. Bless your family…

    • Munira Premji , August 12, 2016

      Deva – – I cant wait to sit with you and tell you all about the event. It was truly a fairy-tale wedding! When can we get together>

  • Lucy , August 7, 2016

    congratulations Sabrina and Afzal-Happy life ahead.

  • Nargis Hajee , August 6, 2016

    Congratulations to all of you in the family, including the beautiful bride and the groom.
    Thanks for sharing the highlights of the wedding. You all look so amazing!
    May Mowla bless you all with success in all aspects of your lives. Ameen.

    • Munira Premji , August 12, 2016

      I had no idea how much fun planning a wedding is! Thoroughly enjoyed every moment leading up to it. I continue to be on such a high! Thanks for your prayers for the family!

  • Shaniza , August 5, 2016

    So beautiful! Thanks for sharing and congratulations to you all.

    • Munira Premji , August 12, 2016

      Thanks for responding. It was so beautiful. She was so beautiful!

  • Begum Janmohamed , August 5, 2016

    Congratulation to Groom’s and Bride’s family. Thanks for sharing this wedding memories. The Groom’s mother is my brother in laws Niece. Small world. Once again Mubaraki to Groom and Bride, they both look so GOOD.

    • Munira Premji , August 12, 2016

      Wow – it is a small world indeed! I think Sabrina and Afal were meant to be together! Mumbaraki to you as well because you are family too!

  • BJ , August 5, 2016

    Congratulations! What a happy event and time for you all!

    • Munira Premji , August 12, 2016

      Hi BJ! I really took the time to be and was mindful of each moment. It was one of the happiest time for me ever! I wish Sabrina and Afzal a lifetime of happiness…

  • Francesca , August 5, 2016

    Congratulations Sabrina! God bless your marriage

    • Munira Premji , August 12, 2016

      Thanks Francesca! I wish the same for Sabrina and Afzal!

  • K. Amersi- Vancouver, BC , August 5, 2016

    Thank you for sharing this precious time with us. You all look great. Wishing Sabrina and Afzal every happiness, success and an extraordinary journey together.

    Congratulations !

    K.A xox

    • Munira Premji , August 12, 2016

      Thanks so much Karim. It was an extraordinarily beautiful event and represented who they are. Amen to your prayers!

  • salome , August 4, 2016

    mumbaraki to all of you and may Mowla give them lots of happiness and barakat
    was so very happy to see it, it was so nice and it was a pleasure to be able to sit and watch from your desk at home and be part of it ,excellent

    • Munira Premji , August 12, 2016

      I am so glad you felt a part of the event Salome, It was a beautiful and moving event!

  • abatada123 , August 4, 2016

    Congragulations to you both this happy occasion.

    • Munira Premji , August 12, 2016

      Amen to your prayers for Sabrina and Afzal!

  • Elizabeth Lancaster , August 4, 2016

    Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. What a gift to see so much happiness and love expressed by a truly lovely couple and for them. And so great to see you so happy and delighted Munira. What a loving, connected mum. And what a loving and connected family.

    • Munira Premji , August 12, 2016

      Elizabeth – – I am still on the top of the world! I cannot describe the joy I felt when I saw and felt the love and energy that enveloped the entire event. Feeling so blessed to be able to witness this milestone event in their lives! How are you doing?

  • Parin Sunderji , August 4, 2016

    Lots of mumbarakis to you, Nagib and the rest of the family. Your mom looks to be in her element and the bride looks absolutely stunning.

    I knew about the wedding and was waiting for your blog. I knew you would not let this opportunity to write a post pass you by.
    Did you know that Alia, one of the bridesmaids is my niece?

    • Munira Premji , August 12, 2016

      Dear Parin – – Yes I know Alia so well. She is like a daughter to me. Sabrina was stunning and there was so much love at the wedding. I am so thrilled that this was captured in pictures and the video. I am thinking of writing a whole bunch of posts describing the “stories behind the stories” leading up to, during and after the wedding. What do you think?

  • Nancy Simpson , August 4, 2016

    Lovely, lovely, lovely!!! Such charming traditions. Sabrina was a beautiful bride. I wish the bride and groom many, many years of happiness and love!

    • Munira Premji , August 12, 2016

      Nancy – – I too wish Sabrina and Afzal an etermity of happiness. It was an incredible event and I am still so joyful about it!

  • zuby shariff , August 4, 2016

    Very nice thanks for sharing

    ________________________________

  • Dilshad , August 4, 2016

    OMG Munira Mukhianima….I didn’t realize the wedding was this past weekend!!! Her dream day came so fast!! You all look so beautiful and HAPPY – you all deserve all the happiness in the universe!!!! Congratulations to you all and may Afzal and Sabrina be blessed with an everlasting, eternal, happy, content and peaceful married life (and may all their troubles be “little ones”)!!!!
    All our love,
    Arif, Dilshad, Nareesa and Tahara

    • Munira Premji , August 12, 2016

      Dearest Dilshad – – Can you believe Sabrina is old enough to be married?! She made a beautiful bride and happiness just exuded from both of them throughout the event. It was magical! Amen to all your prayers and wishes!

  • karimahabib2012 , August 4, 2016

    Congratulations to you all!!!!
    Thanks for sharing the highlights I feel like I was there with you!

    • Munira Premji , August 12, 2016

      I was so hoping that the story and video would capture some of the joy of the event Thanks for letting me know it did! It was so much fun!

  • Anonymous , August 4, 2016

    What a beautiful bride! Lovely couple!

    • Munira Premji , August 12, 2016

      I agree. Lovely couple!

  • Anonymous , August 4, 2016

    Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful moment in your families’ lives. I wish them both much happiness and endless adventures. Mumbaraki to all. Sabrina looks absolutely stunning and you my dear friend Munira, look just as beautiful as you always do.

    • Munira Premji , August 12, 2016

      Thanks so much for your very generous comments and wishes for happiness and endless adventures!

  • Faiza Venzant , August 4, 2016

    What an absolute honour to witness this happy time in your family’s story.

    • Munira Premji , August 12, 2016

      Thanks Faiza. I too am so thrilled that I was able to witness this celebration of love!

  • Anonymous , August 4, 2016

    Such a beautiful wedding with beautiful people. Congratulations.

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