Brian and Andrew have known each other since the beginning of time (well, at least since they were in the womb together). Having done everything together as kids, often in competition with one another, Andrew has to admit that Brian ended up being the cooler twin. That's just one reason among many that Andrew is so honored to have Brian stand by his side on the big day.

Phil and Andrew got to know each other their freshman year at Williams College, when they spent many late nights playing very low-stakes poker. Their friendship truly blossomed when Phil slapped Andrew in the face a few years later because Andrew (allegedly) insulted the premise of "The Hydrogen Economy," a book by Jeremy Rifkin that predicted a worldwide revolution in energy based on hydrogen power. Andrew believes his skepticism was ultimately vindicated.

Since freshman year at Williams College, Andrew has known Johnny as a gentleman and a scholar. This was true despite Johnny's frequent challenges to others to wrestle him, Greco-Roman style. Johnny's wit is outmatched only by his generosity. Case-in-point: when Andrew visited Johnny in DC shortly before Johnny shipped off to Japan to serve as a Navy doctor for several years, Johnny gifted *Andrew* an expensive bottle of scotch for no discernible reason, rather than accept a going away present. You can't teach that sort of class.

Ashwin and Andrew first met in high school marching band, when Ashwin relished every opportunity to bully Andrew (in a fun way). Fast forward a decade, when Ashwin and Andrew connected in NYC over their shared misery as corporate lawyers and a shared love of Atlantic City. Ashwin now lives in California, but Andrew is still hopeful that his campaign of convincing Ashwin to move back to the East Coast will be successful one day.

Gordon and Andrew became good friends their freshman year at Williams College, when Gordon quite literally lived in the basement with Johnny Greenwald. When the two traveled in a group to Montreal their sophomore year, Gordon was the only person who could speak enough French to get directions and order a decent meal. The current state of Gordon's French is unknown, but he remains one of Andrew's most reliable friends and sounding boards.

Since college, Andrew has always admired Ben as a man of refined tastes. Calzones delivered to the freshman dorm at 1:00AM. Bruce Springsteen. And relaxing in the style of a much older man from an ex-Soviet country. Whenever Ben visits NYC, Andrew knows he's in for an obligatory trip to the Russian baths, where deep conversations are held in 175 degree rooms.

Though it took a year or two, Natalie and Anna have been best friends since Natalie discovered this attention-hogging new baby sister was actually a lifetime playmate. Even after Anna was old enough to get her own room, she would spend most nights on Natalie's pull-out trundle bed so playtime and silly talks could last well into the night. Whether it's in car seats, Winnie the Pooh twin beds, chair lifts, bar stools, beach chairs, behind their childhood "talk show" news desk, or standing together on her wedding day, Anna is grateful to have a sister like Natalie always by her side.

Avery and Anna met in preschool and, despite their first playdate ending in a fight (the cause of which is still debated), have been friends ever since. Avery, Anna, and their two sisters grew up enjoying duelling American Girl doll collections, (professional-quality) homemade films, sleepovers achieved by parent-convincing powerpoint presentations, and annual ski vacations. They may not spend as much time these days playing with dolls, but their love of boy bands remains strong.

Though friends since preschool, Anna and Chelsea's bond was truly forged through high school Gilmore Girls marathons, Chelsea's musical theater shows, and that one time they saw The Head and The Heart's lead singer walking to his tour bus but were too scared to say hi. Chelsea's aptitude as a concert buddy is matched only by her unfaltering thoughtfulness as a lifelong friend. The two are still able to pick up right where they left off no matter the city, hometown bar, or show where they reunite.

Anna and Jazmin's origin story is one of hotdog carts in Amsterdam, sneaking onto VIP stages at Belgian nightclubs, and using Jazmin's Spanish to haggle with cab drivers while the two studied abroad together in Spain. Stateside, Jazmin and Anna took on a new adventure together: becoming New Yorkers. While the two no longer live together in a European hostel or a Brooklyn brownstone, Jazmin is still Anna's favorite adventure partner and confidant over a glass of wine, Rioja or otherwise.

Forever grateful to the random roommate generator at Loyola University Maryland, Aneek and Anna were roommates three out of four years at college. Their late nights spent studying (mostly laughing at Vines, remember those?) and eating Annie's Mac and Cheese are now matched by post-graduation reunions in Boston, New York City and more. Getting together with Aneek, no matter the occasion, always reminds Anna that the good old days aren't so old after all.

Working together as camp counselors, Sonia and Anna trauma-bonded over comforting homesick children while trying to plan 24-hour trips to Cape Cod on their days off. Also known as Mama SC, Sonia teaches by example how to not only have a truly good time, but how to be a truly excellent friend. These days, her trip planning skills are used to ensure visits with one another are never too far apart, even if it's just to watch the latest Bravo scandal or terrible Netflix Christmas movie together.