Not everyone gets to meet their best friend as early as Dylan did. Most people find their lifelong friends in high school, college, or some group activity. But Dylan met Jess on the same he met the rest of the world. And from there, Jess and Dylan became an inseparable twin team that were always up to know good but always with lighthearted intent. Now thirty-one years later, eight states apart, and three beautiful, wonderful nephews added to the mix, Jess and Dylan are still the best friends that they were growing up just with more adult responsibilities. Dylan would not trade a single day of being Jess’ best friend even if did get him a 1st edition Holographic Charizard priced at $100,000.

Dylan knows many strong, willed people in his life, but not many can compare to Beni Kayla Acevedo. They are a whirlwind of strength and compassion when it comes to being Dylan’s best friend. They met in Middle School where Dylan and Beni/Kayla fatefully sat next to each other in their 7th Grade History class where Beni/Kayla offered to help Dylan with his notes since he ended up in arm cast due to some sort of shenanigans. Ever since then Beni/Kayla and Dylan decided to be the best of best friends where they spent after school together cooking, baking, and playing video games. Beni/Kayla even became an honorary RIT student disguising themselves as Dylan’s fellow college mate, so they could experience all the fun activities that RIT had to offer.

Dylan met Sarah Gumina after she transferred to Olympia in the beginning of 10th grade. She happened to be in quite a few classes with Dylan, but their story began in their French class. Dylan would say that it was Sarah’s intellect and love for French that drew him to her, but Sarah most likely would say that Dylan knew Sarah was smart and wanted good grades (lol). Either way, there friendship started to blossom. Sarah was the friend whose house was always the meeting place. They would hang and watch movies or work on projects that they were partnered for, or Dylan would just come over to eat Sarah’s food, which she let him unbegrudgingly. And really from there, they just naturally found themselves being best friends. Sarah introduced Dylan to Michael Bublé, Mika, and so many amazing artists that he still listens to today. She even once threw him a “surprise” Watermelon birthday party! (If you’re wondering why surprise was in quotes, ask Sarah lol). Sarah was also the friend who encouraged Dylan to try out for the school musicals. And those became some of Dylan’s best memories.

Dylan met Rodnesha, also know as “Rho” (pronounced like “row” but spelled like the Greek lower-case letter), at RIT, but not in the way that most people do when they are at college. Some people meet in classes, study groups, through mutual friends, or parties; This was not the case. Rodnesha ended up getting Dylan’s number through a chemical engineering classmate merely on the basis that Rho and he liked “Naruto” (long running and popular anime). Rodnesha wrote some highly sophisticated text messages where, on one occasion, Dylan had to look up a few words that were used. Instead of meeting one another in class or at local place, Dylan happened to be at the same apartment Rho lived in with her roommate at the time. And she literally stepped out of the shadows of her room to start up a conversation on “Naruto”. From there they learned they had a similar love for coffee, food, and humor which makes up 90 percent of who Dylan is today. Naturally, they became closer friends. They would have anime Friday nights where they would watch new animes after they had gotten Starbucks and a pita from Pita Pit. After long friendship at school, Dylan decided to drag Rho back to NY where they became roommates, homeowners, and co-parents to a Doodle named Sammi. So yeah, you could probably say they are best friends too.

Rafe and I have a long history that started when I hired him to work for Herkimer ARC back in 2011. While he was only an okay employee (sorry buddy) we did become fast friends. We shared a love of cars, shenanigans, and general tomfoolery that has made our friendship endure over the last 13 years. Together, we have been on more fantastic, and often sketchy adventures, than I can count; each one is a moment that has undoubtedly enriched my life. When you have been friends for well over a decade, you get to watch each other grow up and grow into the people we are today. We’ve been there for each other on all levels that true friendship brings. I even was bestowed the honor of officiating for Rafe and Michelle’s Wedding which I could not have been more overjoyed. And this time, I am elated to have Rafe participate in another huge milestone in my life.

Greg and I first met through our local car club back in 2011. Through that club we were able to have a many great adventures together! I even managed to back one of my cars lovingly into the fender of his Supra as the brakes decided to fail (I am still sorry buddy). When I moved to Albany, we fell out of touch a bit, until Rafe and Greg connected and became friends of their own. A short while later, Rafe had successfully managed to convince both Greg and I that buying old Volvos was a fantastic idea and that it wouldn’t cost us much at all! This led to the foundation of what we now lovingly refer to as “the Swedish Country Club”. The three of us can often be found doing questionable things with gasoline powered vehicles and laughing at our own jokes until our stomachs hurt. I am so grateful to be able call Greg my friend and for him to be a part of this next chapter in my life.

I met Lance though numerous events associated with the online LGBTQ car group “The Car Gays”. Lance is the type of friend that will show up to help you without hesitation thought but will bust your chops about it the whole time. Through our numerous adventures, motorsports events, and camping weekends, Lance and his partner, Dan (this is why wedding party Dan is also known as Becky), have become dear friends of ours, and we’re always up for making the trek down to PA to be able to spend

I met Dan (aka Becky) through numerous events associated with the online LGBTQ+ car group “The Car Gays”. With his quick wit and huge heart, it was hard not to be friends with him. Over the years, we’ve gone on numerous adventures, road rallies, track crosses, and even a ski-weekend in the Adirondacks. Out of all the amazing memories we’ve made, I’ll never forget riding along with Dan in an obnoxiously red Mercedes G Wagon, listening to Cannon in D, while we drove through rural Pennsylvania. I’ve never felt as pompous as I did that day, and the amount of laughs that one simple ride provided were simply epic. Dan is the kindhearted, selfless type of friend that anyone would love to have, and I am overjoyed to have him as a part of my wedding party.

I first met Jake through a car event known as “The Pumpkin Spice Rally “where Jake assists with coordinating each year. This was my first event associated with the online LGBTQ+ car group “The Car Gays”. The group and the event, in tandem, opened-up my world as a queer automotive enthusiast. Like most large groups of people, you tend to find the special ones that you really connect with, and Jake was definitely one of those people! Since we first met, we have gone on many more road rallies, track crosses, and other adventures together. Dylan and I will find any excuse to make a trek down to the greater Philly area to hang with Jake, especially if we can get the opportunity to watch one of his theatrical performances. We are so grateful for Jake’s friendship and the honor of him officiating our wedding.