Michaela has been Aiste’s best friend for nearly 13 years, since their middle school days. From silly sleepovers to unforgettable firsts, late-night movies, and all the little moments best friends share, their friendship grew right alongside them. Even as life took them to different high schools and colleges, their bond never wavered. It remained strong enough for Aiste to stand proudly by Michaela’s side as her Maid of Honor in June 2024, and to cheer her on once more as she welcomed her baby boy, Xavier, in November 2025. Michaela is truly a treasure and an irreplaceable part of Aiste’s life.

Bela and Aiste first crossed paths while working together at Express, where work jokes quickly turned into after-shift drinks and an instant friendship. Even as life took them in different directions, they never lost touch, always finding time to meet up and catch each other up on all the juicy details. Bela went on to marry Terrandon in June, and together they mean the world to both Alex and Aiste.

Marius is Aiste’s younger brother, and the two have been inseparable since day one. When you only have each other, you hold on tight and through their adoption and navigating a whole new world together, that bond only grew stronger. Now Marius works for Alaska Airlines at DIA, which basically means he’s the family’s official plug for flight perks and travel gossip. On a day this important, it only makes sense for the person who’s always been by Aiste’s side to be standing right there with her.

Marina, Alex, and Aiste have been inseparable since the early days of high school, almost 10 years of inside jokes, late-night hangouts, and growing up together. Even after Marina traded coasts for cowboy country and now spends most of her time teaching in Texas, she’s stayed just as close to both of them. She brings the perfect mix of heart, humor, and hype-girl energy, making her an unforgettable bridesmaid.

Nick Giacomozzi has been Alex’s best friend from day one. From going to the same middle school together, to graduating college at the same university, it has been a remarkable friendship. Nick has graduated college with a bachelors degree in psychology and is exploring the route of Industrial and Organizational psychology.

Daniel James is another one of Alex’s cousins. Daniel and Alex have been known to be spontaneous, and adventurous together, at one time buying and planning a trip to Mexico within a race of Mario Kart. Whether it’s Daniel begging Alex to go skydiving, exploring graveyards at night, or making a quick trip out to see one another (usually Daniel does the visiting) the two of them have had an unbreakable bond their whole lives.

Stephen Butler-James is one of Alex’s cousins and was born only a couple months before Alex was. Alex and Stephen grew up together, spending almost all of their summers together when Alex would visit him and his family in Utah. Since the two of them were so close in age, they got the opportunity to experience life’s greatest moments together and were able to share those feelings and experiences with one another. Stephen is currently teaching in Ogden Utah.

Bridger-Butler James is Stephen’s husband. Although Alex has only known Bridger for a little while, the two of them have an incredible bond and were able to grow closer when Bridger and Stephen visited Alex during his study abroad in Italy, while they were on vacation. Bridger is currently a teacher in Ogden Utah.

Matthew Woodford was one of Alex’s fraternity brothers who helped start Pi Kappa Phi at Creighton University. From freshman year to senior year their brotherhood grew and stayed strong over those years and the years after. Matthew is currently a Market Development Representative for Whirlpool.