There are friends, and then there are the rare ones — the lifers. The ones who stand beside you through every high and every low. For the past 24 years, this man has been that constant in my life. He’s been there through every chapter — the late-night calls, the big wins, the heartbreaks, and the moments when everything felt like it was falling apart. No matter what time it is — even if it’s 3 a.m. — I know I can call him, and he’ll answer without hesitation. That kind of loyalty doesn’t come around often. I trust him with my life — and even more than that, I trust him with my son’s future. If something ever happened to me, he’s the one I’ve chosen to protect and guide the most important person in my world. That’s the kind of man he is. A good man. A real one. We’ve already lived through so much together, and we’re not even close to finished. There’s still a lifetime of memories to make, and this — today — is just another chapter in our story. My father once told me, “If you find one true friend in your entire life, you’ve done good.” Well, I did good. I found mine. Here’s to you, my brother — my best man. Thank you for always being there.

My sister—my rock! There are no words that could ever fully capture how much my sister means to me, but I’ll try. She’s my younger sister by birth, but in so many ways, she’s been my protector, my advisor, my cheerleader, and one of the strongest women I know. As a devoted wife and loving mom to two amazing kids—my sweet niece and nephew—she somehow manages to balance everything: a full-time career, a beautiful home, and a family that adores her. And still, no matter how busy life gets, she always finds time for me. She’s walked with me through some of the hardest moments of my life, never letting me fall too far, never letting me give up on myself. Her support has been unwavering, her love unconditional. She believes in me when I forget how to believe in myself. She’s also an incredible aunt to my two boys. Her love for them is as fierce as it is genuine, and they light up every time she’s near. Having her stand beside me as my matron of honor means the world to me. It’s not just about the title—it’s about celebrating the bond we’ve built, the memories we share, and the strength she has poured into me all these years. I’m so lucky to call her my sister.

I met Lou later in life, but in just a few short years, he’s become one of my closest and most trusted friends. From the start, we connected on a deep level—our shared values around family, business, and faith made it easy to build a strong bond. He’s the kind of guy who just gets it. He’s a great coach—not just in a professional sense, but in life. He leads with wisdom, patience, and purpose. He’s the kind of man you can count on, who shows up when it matters most. What sets him apart is not just his character, but his heart. He’s a godly man, someone I deeply respect and often turn to for advice. And perhaps one of the greatest honors I can give someone: I trust him with my son. That kind of trust doesn’t come easy, but with him, it came naturally. That’s why I asked him to be a part of one of the most important days of my life—not just to stand beside me, but to lead me into this next chapter. It means the world to me that he’s officiating my wedding to the woman I love. Because there’s no one I’d rather have guiding us into marriage than a man who lives with integrity, leads with love, and walks with God.

As I stand in front of everyone on one of the most important days of my life, I want to take a moment to recognize someone who couldn’t be here physically—but who absolutely deserves a place in this celebration. Ty—my brother from another workplace mother. Ty isn’t just a coworker, and he’s not just a friend. Over time, he’s become one of my all-around best friends. He’s the guy I can count on—whether it’s for a quick laugh during a tough day or for something way bigger, like holding it down while I’m off getting married. Now, being my friend isn’t always easy. There are responsibilities—real ones. Like manning the store, making sure the wheels don’t fall off while I step away for a bit. And without hesitation, Ty stepped up. I trusted him with that role because that’s who he is—solid, dependable, and always showing up, even when he’s not in the room. I know Ty would’ve loved nothing more than to be here today, and honestly, I’d love to have him by my side too. But in his absence, I just want to say this: Ty, thank you. For being the kind of friend who shows up when it matters. For being someone I can trust, lean on, and laugh with. You’re my honorary best man—not just for today, but every day you’ve had my back. Let’s all raise a glass to Ty—my dude, my friend, and the MVP holding it down while I get married. Cheers, brother.