I met Kylie at the same time that I met Lahra. A true free spirit, passionate and unique, she marches to the beat of her own drum, then tells the drummer to quiet down so she can take a nap. We've been through ups and downs together and have come out on the other side, closer and stronger than ever. Knowing Kylie has helped me to learn who I am and to be brave, despite myself.

A true friend, Tom is always there when you need him. Whether it's for a fun night out, a shoulder to cry on, or a buddy who encourages you to play Super Smash Bros (and repeatedly kicks your butt) to help to distract you from whatever BS life has brought. Through ups and downs, even within our friendship, he is understanding, trustworthy, constant and compassionate. I also have him to thank for bringing Christine, his lovely wife, into my life. It's shocking to meet someone and within about a second see how perfectly they fit with one of your best friends. I, with Lahra and Jana, began (probably annoyingly) probing him to make it official immediately. I am so deeply happy they found each other, and I'm so lucky to have them in my life!

Our wedding day would not be complete without the eldest of the Stoppiello gang, Brooke. Over the years our relationship has evolved so much. Over family get together, milestones and random references we didn’t realize the other would know. We’re so lucky to have her in our lives. I can’t wait to call her my sister.

I've been living with Tommy for almost my entire life, with the exception of some short stretches of time when I first moved in with Angelica. We've shared a lot of our time together, and I feel lucky to have probably one of the best Drummers in New Jersey, and be able to say that for the majority of his playing career, it's been together with me. I'm happy to have seen someone who grew up from the kid who pulled out my memory cards because it said "Do not pull out memory card", to a brilliant young man with the world at his fingertips- who is moving with many broad strokes in life towards the next steps in achieving his goals.

Between third and fourth grade Mom, Justyn and I moved, and although it was in the same town, I had to change elementary schools. I hadn't quite found my people yet, so I didn't like my new school very much. Lahra and I met on the school bus home, one fateful afternoon in the fifth grade. Her seatmates and best friends, Kylie and Gabriella, were on her last nerve(again), bickering over something ten-year-old's bicker over(again). Annoyed, Lahra rolled her eyes and shifted in her seat, only to lock eyes with yours truly. I smiled, she smiled back and said hi. And that was all it took. In a moment so brief occurred a cosmic shift, unknowable to even ourselves. We had just met someone who would play a significant role in our lives, altering who we may have become otherwise. We've been sisters since then, so much so, that our families are joined by the marriage of my brother Justyn to her sister Jana, resulting in our incredible nephew Nathaniel. Lahra is sunshine on a cloudy day. I literally couldn't imagine my life without her. I cannot wait to have her by my side on my wedding day.

I've been very lucky throughout life to have met and made the friends I consider family, and Zac was there from the start (of my recorded memory). There exists a video of us in kindergarten at an X-mas pageant stammering through a version of a Christmas song while banging sticks together. As the years went on we shared the same friend groups, played in bands, got into mischief, and simply put. grew up together. Zac's always been my boy, and now I'm honored to call him my best man.

My cousin Jazzmyne has always been like a big sister to me. From when we were little, she has always been there for me through the ups and downs life throws at you. She taught me how good it felt to express your feelings with music, singing out loud and proud or dancing however you want to express yourself. A dedicated mother, she keeps showing me how far determination and faith can take you in life.

Michael "The Buffalo" Minkin has this way of putting a smile on your face, no matter what. He always seems to give off a positive vibe that brings up the room. Everyone has their own story, and knowing Minkin has taught me a lot about inner strength and resilience of spirit. He's never let life break him down, so I've seen him accomplish huge goals he set for himself. I'm lucky to have such accomplished and talented people in my life, bringing good energy and sharing their happiness. Minkin is just a down dude, through thick and thin, fun times and bitch sessions. He's our Buffalo and we love him.

Growing up as the eldest brother of 3, I never had to wonder what it was like to have an older brother of my own, because after meeting Zac, Erik (Zac's brother) made me feel right at home. Our first memorable moment together was at my first (of many) sleepover at Zac's house, where Erik bet me I couldn't beat him at Mortal Kombat for the Super Nintendo. That moment sparked a rivalry and friendship that's lasted throughout the years. Some of my favorite times with Erik include the time we gathered all the snow from his back and front yards and built an igloo that we all hung out in for 10 minutes before getting paranoid it would collapse on us. Then there was the span of months that Zac was away at school and Erik and I hung out all the time playing different video games on his computer. Also, through Erik's passion for film, the boys got a Camcorder for Christmas one year, and for a few years we would make our own shorts and eventually a 40 minute character piece on old war hero that got himself into some nasty habits. Unfortunately through Erik's never ending quest for more hard drive space, the film was accidentally deleted, but we'll never forget the time we had creating it. Erik's a great guy and someone I always looked up to like an older brother, he was a couple years older than me and it made the phases you go through while you're a kid into young adulthood less intimidating.

When I was in elementary school and had just met Lahra, Jana was her big sister in high school, always going here or there or helping us kids make home videos, but older and with her own agenda. Little did she know, Lahra and I had "plotted" to have my brother marry Jana so that we could be sisters. By the time we were in college, I had suffered yet another ACL tear, Jana just so happened to be living back home, so one day during my recovery she was volunteered to keep me company. We realized quickly that we were meant to be, spending the days crutching me through the mall for too much shopping or lounging with snacks, watching re-runs of our favorite shows while I ice. She helped to keep my spirits high, and still does. Oh, and she did end up marrying my brother, go figure. Jana has brought so much happiness to my life simply by being her wonderful, beautiful, happy, loving self. I wouldn't be the "me" I am without her endless support, encouragement and love. She is spectacular, and I am so lucky to have her as my sister.

Jaime and I's friendship goes way back to early childhood, growing up on the same street together. Every day after school was an adventure. I'm thankful we grew up before smartphones came out, because my favorite memories we have (and there are many) are the days where we made our own fun. Riding bikes through the forest and to the mall, playing catch in the always too short summers, and my personal favorite- standing behind the line of juvenile delinquency and kids just trying to have a great time. A couple highlights include smashing an old car that sat in his backyard for years (who needs a "Break" room!) and digging 2 huge holes that we filled with water and swam in because neither of us had a pool (sorry, Barbara). When we reminisce together we never run out of awesome times we shared to talk about, and I'm lucky to have shared them with a friend as great as Jaime.

Mary Susan is my oldest friend. We met on the bus to school, sharing Cheerio's, chatting our five year old chatter, forging a bond that unbeknownst to us would be a friendship like no other and would last our lifetime. A sisterhood controlled by the universe, the stars aligning to bring us together, providing each other a support we couldn't have asked for but desperately needed. Two little girls. Walking our neighborhood streets and exploring the woods back when that wasn't a terrifying thought for two second-graders to do. Philosophical, challenging, curious, fanciful, and together, free. So much time playing pretend. When home wasn't "suitable" for us, we just needed to be together to be anywhere or anyone. We played dress-up till our play gowns didn't fit anymore. We stayed up way past our bedtime, telling 'Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark', flashlight in hand, spooking the bejeezus out of ourselves. Or more often giggling our heads off at a silly nothings, desperately trying to muffle our laughter, always knowing we failed at the sight of her mom's silhouette in the doorway. MS and I have been through everything together, and as we matured so did our relationship and so did the struggles we dealt with. Over the course of our 25 year friendship we've only actually lived in the same place for 8 years, carrying on via telephone and joyful visits. Supporting each other from afar, always together in heart. I don't know who I'd be without her, my sister I met when I was five, I'm lucky I'll never have to know.

Tom and I met a that critical moment in our lives where we we're both navigating through the pressures of finding out who it is you are and who you want to become. High school was sometimes a never ending barrage of awkward encounters, difficult break-ups, many first time experiences, and being thrust into situations you weren't sure how you'd get through. Without Tom by my side through those times, I honestly don't think I'd be the person I am today. We always had this kind of duality between us where we balanced each-other out like yin and yang. His sardonic cynicism at times would be softened up by my lighthearted cheer, and my naivete was stifled by his ability to not be afraid to tell me the truth, even when it hurt. I feel like without ever having to acknowledge it, depending on the situation, both us had the ability like comedians to play the "straight man" or the "stooge" interchangeably. Like true friends, when we need eachother, we're there for eachother, and I'm confident that's the way it will always be.

Kristi was the first of the Stoppiello siblings I met. At Eddie's 13th birthday, a huge party overwhelming with family and friends, none of whom I knew. We were introduced and I found her to be gorgeous, kind, thoughtful and quiet. We bonded pretty quickly, and over the years she's proven to be all those things and so much more. She's honest, trustworthy, so funny, and her still waters truly run deep. I've gotten to share experiences with her that I never ever will again, for instance seeing Celine Dion in concert, or before that seeing Sir Paul McCartney in concert. She's a constant source of calm, up for anything, and always there when you need her. Lovely and easy to love, I can't wait to call her family.

When I was 11, our family was blessed with the birth of my youngest brother, Eddie. I was lucky to be there often as he grew up into the man he is today. Video games are a passion of mine, and I'm happy I was a part of the reason they became one of his, because those memories will stay close with me forever. We played everything from the classics like NES to the current generation releases. I remember our parents asking us if he was too young to be playing Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, and thinking to myself "of course he's too young! " but then telling them that I played those games at his age and turned out just fine. Seeing him nowadays, anyone who knows him would agree. Aside from the fun things, I'm especially proud of his diligence in school, something I'll admit I never shined too brightly in. His hard-work is inspiring to me, even as the "older" brother. Even though we are 10 years apart the age gap never got in the way of the love we share as brothers.

Peter "Beans", where to begin. He's my ride or die brother from another mother. I don't even remember where or how we met, one day there was Pete and over the years our friendship has turned to "familyship". I know his family and he knows mine, we celebrate holidays and birthdays together, our lives have become intertwined. A true Mr. Fixit, I've benefited often from his handiwork, though I know I've benefited from his kind, funny heart more times than I can count. I'm thankful for him, always.

Nico has been a dear friend of mine since the days where you could knock on your friends front door and not get strange looks or the urge to ask "Hey, everything ok bud?", in fact, it's how we met. In the years we've known eachother we've shared memories that I'll never forget. Perhaps my favorite is when I flew and visited him in Florida for a week, then we drove up to New Jersey and he spent a week up north. Great times. We started a band after highschool, and even though it didn't all go as planned, I'm still writing and finishing the music we started back then, and he's created the accompanying art to go side by side it. I credit Nico for helping me discover myself as an artist. Making music is my favorite thing to do, and without witnessing his attitude and approach to it, I believe I wouldn't be as confident as I am when I'm creating something new.

I've known John for almost 17 years, we met in my freshman year of High School when my first band, The Elites were in search of a drummer that was looking to join a band. Jim, a great friend and the bassist of the group, got word from a classmate that her brother was a drummer and was looking for a band. A few weeks later, we were in John's basement writing and learning songs. 16 years later, I'm still in a band with John, and this year we'll be releasing an album of music that we worked really hard on for a very long time. I've always appreciated his work ethic, and it's something that I've tried to adapt to my own attitude and outlook. John's been a wonderful friend, and I'm thankful for the time we've spent and will continue to spend as bandmates carving out our own corner of the musical universe.

I met Will after I transferred into a new English class and I happened to choose the seat right behind him. The class was in the middle of learning about the hero's journey, and our teacher chose to play Star Wars for the class. Will and myself bonded over the series, after a funny interaction where he wasn't sure if I liked it too so he didn't admit it until I said I did too. A very "high school" moment that we both laughed at then and until this day. In the summer a year after high school, I was in search of a bassist and singer to play in my new group, and I was struck with the memory of seeing Will playing solo bass and singing at an open mic downtown. To me, it was a very brave thing to do. Just a guy and his bass singing his heart out, something you'll rarely see. I asked him if he wanted to join, he agreed, and very quickly we began writing songs for our first album. I've always appreciated our ability to just click together when we're playing, and it's something that we worked at for a long time until things were just natural anytime we picked up the instruments. Throughout the years and over 150 gigs later, the moments that stick out most to me were when we we're just two young guys that wanted to succeed, and we'd put ourselves through hell practicing in a freezing cold garage just to get a little bit better, or to finish whatever song we we're working on. That wistful ignorance we felt trying to beat the odds. Of course things aren't over yet and we're about to release our best work yet, but no matter our legacy in the long run, I'll never forget the time we spent getting to know eachother and working together doing something we both loved. For a time, I'm pretty sure between living together, playing in a band, and working together at Big Ed's BBQ, we saw each other every day for 3 or 4 years. I believe if you can spend that much time with someone and still enjoy the time spent, it's a sign you've made a friend you'll have your whole life long.

I have a lot to thank Justyn for.