Jessica: I met Jessica when I was almost 2 and my parents brought her home, much to my chagrin. Although our relationship did not get off to a great start, we get closer every year. Despite not having the best older sister role model, she has grown up to be an amazing person. Jessica is a trivia loving, hard working, board game playing, unconditionally supportive friend and sister. The coolest thing about being sisters is that no matter how much distance there used to be between us, we somehow talk exactly the same, have approximately the same tastes and interests, and share a common understanding that no one else in the world has. I am so excited to deepen our relationship and I am so glad she agreed to stand by my side through all the wedding craziness.

Lizzie: Lizzie and I have been best friends since 3rd grade when we got put at the same lunch table because we happened to have the same name. We have been through so many ups and downs over the years, but through it all, Lizzie has been the level and reasonable voice in my head. I’ve lost count of how many times Torin has said, “Thank god for Lizzie” due to her stable and pragmatic approach to life and her calming presence. Lizzie is the Abbi to my Ilana. She is loving, family oriented and balanced. I am always so impressed by her strength; she has navigated so many tough situations and came out on the other end even stronger. I am so proud to call her my lifelong friend.

Alisha: From the first day of 8th grade cross-country practice, I knew I found a keeper. Alisha is hilarious, fun, insightful, and always down to have a good time. She has always been incredibly responsible, hardworking and honest. Somehow we got past all of the times I followed her around crying and quoting emo song lyrics. Alisha is one of the best friends possible, we haven’t lived in the same place since 2007, but somehow have stayed just as close due to her love and consistency. I go to Alisha for advice about teaching, social interactions, weight lifting and anything else I need help with. I am so lucky to have a friend like Alisha in my life!

Lindsey: Lindsey was my freshman year roommate. Watching She’s the Man over and over again brought us close in a way that only Amanda Bynes movies can. We survived some weird phases after college (but luckily she forgave me!) and only got closer with time as we discovered we were back on the same wavelength. We spent 9 days traveling the southwest in 2017 and had the best time together. The comfort of freshman year quickly returned and it was amazing to connect as adults on an even deeper level than before. Lindsey is honest, open, and she loves learning about the world around her. I am always impressed by her drive to improve, her curiosity and the way she reflects about herself and the world around her.

Juno: I met Juno when I started working at the YWCA and she refused to show me how anything worked. Imagine my surprise when we became best friends a few short weeks later. No one I have met has challenged me in the same way as Juno. From obsessing about Peace Camp, a day camp we created and ran by ourselves- to hiding out in the counseling room at the Y for hours discussing every detail of our lives, she quickly became my confidant, inspiration and reality check. This girl literally saved my life. I owe so much of the person I am now to Juno’s guidance and confidence building. Juno motivates me to be a better person every single time I talk to her. She is always focused on growing and has something new she is working on each time we talk. I never end a conversation with her without wanting to be more honest, healthier, talk to strangers, question the world around me or show more gratitude for what I have. I know when we are in our 90s we will still be pushing each other to be the best versions of ourselves.

Charissa: I am honored to have Torin’s sister, his number one protector, advocate and ally as one of my bridesmaids. Charissa is extremely loyal and will do anything for someone she cares about. Charissa is not afraid to stand up for what she knows is right. Always pushing herself to keep growing, she inspires me to live more intentionally, ask more open-ended questions and better care for the people around me. As part of the Murphy family now, I can guarantee someone will always have my back and I feel so lucky! It’s so cool thinking that our kids will have Charissa as their aunt to take them on adventures, help them to see the beauty of the world around them, and push themselves to be brave and strong.

Suzanne: Suzanne is probably the only person I could spend 4 straight months living in a car with (Sorry Torin!). During the road trip, I would text her from outside when I was gone for more than 15 minutes. Suzanne and I bonded over our existential angst, deep love for David Foster Wallace and our desire to get out of Bloomington-Normal. Suzanne more than anyone is the person who pushed me to be honest and vulnerable in my communication and showed me the world of possibilities that open when you approach the world this way. From the saddest girls at Riot Fest, to 2girlz1car to 2 mostly sane and happy adults, we have grown so much together and I am so proud to call her one of my best friends.

Haley: For better or worse, there’s probably not another person on this planet more similar to me and who gets me better than this guy. He’s Mini-Big-Me. (Hale, if you ever look at this...you probably won’t...just know that I could have bigger muscles than you, but I choose not to, it’s a survival tactic, I need to be quick on my feet and big muscles would weigh me down) Anyways, Haley is and has always been my best friend, my numero uno, my number one guy, my best pal - you get it. Sadly for him, he didn’t have much of a choice, he was pretty much born into the role. A role that he graciously accepted early on, even if that meant getting relentlessly teased and messed with, and always, if he happened to be around, which he always was, being on the wrong end of those weird temper tantrums I would throw when I had no idea how else to express my frustration. But he stuck around (most likely because we lived in the middle of nowhere and he had no one else to play with). On weekends or during the summer, Haley and I would spend entire days playing. And as soon as indoor home run derby led to shattered ceiling fan lights in our mom’s insanely huge basement, we moved it outside, where our mom’s house served as the fence and we didn’t stop playing until the ball got stuck in the gutter. I cannot tell you how many different types of balls we got stuck in those gutters (Sorry Pops!). It didn’t take long for Haley to surpass me in athletic ability, and although I’ll still never get over never being able to beat him in basketball one-on-one again, I take solace in the fact that he can never see my jumper. (Nor can of any of you coming to this wedding. Go ahead, challenge me) Haley and I can, and often do, laugh at each other for no apparent reason, and it can go on long enough for the people around us to be like, “wtf is wrong with these two?”. Haley is one of those rare people who can be a calming presence no matter the situation. I feel better just having him around. He has a huge heart to match his huge muscles and is as loyal as they come. I know he’d drop anything in a moments notice, if any of us ever needed him. Haley’s resilience is something I’ve always aspired to attain and something I’m sure I’ll never be able to match. I’m fortunate to have Haley in my life and couldn’t be happier that he accepted my offer to be my bestman...not that he had a choice, I would have totally told our mom, if he hadn’t

Bryland: Man, how do you describe Bryland? I’m pretty sure my dad says he’s a “wack-a-doo”... or something like that (I’m not sure. Sometimes it’s hard to understand what my dad is saying with that Brooklyn accent) To say, Bryland is unique, would be, an understatement. To say Bryland marches to the beat of his own drum, would be, an understatement. Bryland is the Loch Ness Monster in a world of unicorns and leprechauns. Bryland has always done his own thing and has done it so unapologetically that you can’t help but respect the hell out of it. When I was a kid, I wanted to do everything like Bryland. I wanted to play the same sports, I wanted to dress like him, talk like him - you name it. If Bryland wore shirts that were 5 times TOO big, you better believe I was wearing a shirt that was 10 times TOO big. If Bryland got his ear pierced, you better believe I was giving my mom those puppy dog eyes, as I was on the verge of a full blown breakdown inside the Claire’s at the mall because there was no way I was leaving that place without getting my ear pierced. I remember Bryland started playing roller hockey and I have no idea how it happened but at some point during those two or three years that he played, my parents somehow managed to get me on one of his teams. I think I was 7 so that meant he was 12 or 13. It was definitely a nerdy little dude with the glasses from Little GIANTS showing up to practice covered in mattress pads type of situation. Bryland definitely had to put up with a lot, having two younger brothers who wanted to do everything with him and always wanting to be around him must have been awful, but he dealt with it. He included us, when he could (or when our mom made him) and he always looked out for us, and still does. We give him a hard time...for lots of different reasons. But when it comes down to it, Bryland has been there for Charissa, Haley and I for as long as I can remember and he’ll be the first one there for any of us in a crisis (partly because he drives 1000 mph). Yeah, a majority of that time he may have openly expressed his annoyance at our existence, but I promise you, if you were that kid he saw messing with us at school, he wouldn’t think twice about throwing you into a locker and scaring the crap out of you real quick. That’s kind of how Bryland rolls - think quick, act fast, regret nothing. He is a person I have always strived to be more like. Bryland has been a better brother to me than I will ever be able to be to him. Thanks for not holding it against me, bro! Glad you’re in my life and in my wedding, like you had a choice either...mom definitely would have forced you to do it, just like she forced you to let us play with you when we were kids

Kevin: Kevin, aka, Red, aka Stinky, aka pump-ko-lantern (thanks for the nickname, Bryland) Kevin is one of my cousins. Kevin is always the first person to offer help, and is always prepared to handle a crisis. It’s no wonder he became a firefighter. Selfless is probably the best word to describe Kevin. He is always putting everyone before himself and looking out for everyone else. He takes it upon himself to make sure everyone is comfortable and having a good time. At family gatherings, he is all over the place. Seemingly all at once, Kevin can be cooking, cracking jokes, quoting movies, assessing the situation to make sure everyone is doing alright where ever we happen to be - and when something goes wrong, he’s always the first one to figure out a solution. Kevin is beyond generous and has the biggest heart of anyone I know. He’s always been a person I know I can rely on, and there is certainly no way I will ever be able to re-pay him for all he’s ever done for me over the years. Kevin is funny as hell and always ready for a good time, just be careful because it’s nearly impossible to keep up with him. He moves at a Long Island/NYC pace, and most of us just aren’t cut out for it, I know that I’m not, at least. I’m very appreciative that Kevin agreed to be a part of my wedding and am excited to have him as one of my Groomsmen.

Tommy: Choo, choo mother******. Tommy, aka Gio, aka Thomas the Train (thanks again for the nickname, Bry) Tommy is one of my cousins. (You won’t believe it because they look nothing alike but he and that guy above are actually brothers) Tommy followed the Pecora family footsteps and became a hairdresser. He’s Gio by day and Tom/Tommy by night. I know that by the end of one of my trips to Long Island to see my family that Tommy and I will have had a heartfelt, sincere and deep conversation. Tommy is one of the more self-reflective people I know and is constantly wanting to grow as a person and better himself. This is something I really admire and try to follow his lead on. I really appreciate how honest and self-aware he is. These are just a few of the things that have drawn me to him over the years. He’s always wanting to know what is going on in my life and I feel very comfortable opening up and being honest with Tommy. I know that when we talk that there is no judgement, just love and sincerity. I’ve always looked up to Tommy as an older cousin, which is probably why there are so many similarities between us. Tommy is an extremely loyal and empathetic person and I know that I can rely on him for anything. I’m honored that he agreed to be my Groomsmen.

Sammy: Sammy, aka, Sammy the Seal (3 nicknames created in one night, impressive stuff, Bry) Sammy, Sammy, Sammy. Where to begin with this guy. Sammy is one of my cousins. It’s funny to me that the Sammy you all will meet and get to know at the wedding (probably because he’ll be walking around with nothing but a G-string at some point throughout the weekend) is quite the opposite of the Sammy I knew in the early years of my life. Sammy and his family used to come down to VA from NY every Easter. It was a visit that we all looked forward to - everyone, but perhaps, Sammy. Sammy was a bit of a Mama’s Boy and would often get hurt or upset about something or another, at some point during their visit. It’s possible that Sam’s sister, Shannon, my siblings and I may have bullied the hell out of him, but there’s no proof of this. Anyways, nowadays, it is hard to fathom that Sammy is the same person as the scrawny, super-sensitive Mama’s Boy we used to pick on back in the day. If you can find me a person more confident than Sammy, I’d love to meet them. Sammy is the epitome of a smooth talker. He’s insanely smart, funny, and quick. Which is probably why he has been so successful as a salesman. Sammy constantly joked with me once Elizabeth and I became engaged asking me every time we talked if he was going to be my Best Man and telling me all the things he would do as Best Man, already knowing that I had asked Haley. I think he was still holding out some glimmer of hope that Haley would decline. Either way, I know and really appreciate how much Sammy wants to be and is a part of my life. He’s always there when I need support and advice, and I’m very happy that he was able to set aside his pride and accept my offer to be one of my Groomsmen.

Evan: Evan, aka, E-Dub. Evan and I have a long running joke of answering the phone “Ay buddddddy” whenever one of us calls the other. It comes from one of the Friday movies...and it still cracks me up, every time. There’s just something about hearing that on the other end of the phone that brings a smile and deep sense of comfort to me. Evan is my oldest friend. We went to school together from kindergarten through high school and I’m sure we knew each other even before then since Bryland went to school and used to play sports with Evan’s older brother, Lee. It’s hard not to love Evan. Unless, you hate laughing and having a good time. In that case, you’d definitely hate Evan. Evan can get along with anyone, and I mean anyone. I’ve never met another person who is able to connect with anyone they come into contact with like Evan does. He has an infectious personality and can light up a room. There are not many people who can make me laugh like this guy can. Evan has shown me what it means to be a good friend. You know that friend that is also like your older sibling because you know they’d do anything for you and don’t let anyone mess with you? That’s Evan. He’s been looking out for me since we were little and has been a better friend to me than I’ll ever be able to be to him. I love that with Evan we pick up right where we left off, like nothing has changed, even if it has been months since we last spoke or saw each other. There are not many people like Evan and I am fortunate to have in my life. I was honored to be a Groomsmen in his wedding and am even more honored that he will be one in mine!

Derek: Derek, aka, D-Bay, Der, DerBear. Derek and I have been friends since we started middle school in the 7th grade. Derek was as silly then as he is now...and he’s pretty silly. Derek was easily the class clown in 90% of all the classes we had together. But somehow, he still managed to be loved by all the teachers, regardless of how ridiculous he was in class. Derek is one of the smartest and most efficient people I have ever known. He just gets things done. It’s something I’ve always admired about him, but have never been able to emulate. The only dumb thing that I can say Derek has done (at least, for the sake of this very public post) is when he left CO a few years ago. But he and his wife, Jess, quickly realized CO was where they wanted to be and moved back. To say the least, I was beyond excited to hear that they were moving back! Derek and I have lived near each other for a majority of our lives, at this point. While I was in Blacksburg at VT, Derek was down in Radford just 25 minutes away. It was nice to take a break and come down and see him. (I’m not sure that he would say the same about my visits...) It’s nice to have Derek 25 mins away again. I definitely enjoy when we are both able to take a break and game some ping pong in at his new house. Derek is a very thoughtful and generous guy and he’s been a good friend for a very long time. He has more close friends than anyone I know and I’m not sure how he even keeps up with them all. I was surprised but very happy to be asked to be one of his Groomsmen and I very happy that he will be a Groomsmen in my wedding.

Josh: Josh, aka, J Ball, J Bizzle, Jabes, Dr. Ball, The Doctor. Josh is one of the first people I met at Virginia Tech and is the first friend I made there. He lived across the hall from my roommate, Bob and I, with our good friend, Conor. We quickly formed a close bond and I’ll always remember Josh’s recollection of me chasing him through “The Cage” parking lot (this giant lot where students who lived on campus parked their cars) the first night we ever went out together. I also love Josh’s story of how he remembers when we first met and shook hands the day I was moving into my dorm and how he was certain in that moment that we would be really good friends from then on. This is something that I love about Josh and have always wished I could be more like. He is 100% honest and 100% himself and he doesn’t care at all what people think. As a college freshman, he unapologetically expressed his love for Christmas, Harry Potter and Taylor Swift. And in my eyes that’s what it meant to be a real man. And even though I knew it then, I never had the courage to be as open and honest as Josh. I’ve always admired this about Josh. Josh and I have had some good times together and some serious bonding since meeting each other as 18 year olds. From life in ‘The Nub’ at the West AJ dorms with Porter, Jeff, Bob and Conor to forming a huge group of friends formerly and currently known as the ‘The Meatheads’ (did we really ever wonder why there were only a few girls who hung out with us on a consistent basis?), Josh and I have been through a lot together - from tragedy to triumph. And through it all, we’ve remained close and have only gotten closer. Josh is a CO native and in college would constantly tells us all that we had to come check out CO. I like to nag him now that he didn’t do a good enough job selling it. But in all sincerity, he was right. And I am grateful to be out here and to have him just a mile away, nowadays. Josh recently got engaged himself and I couldn’t be happier for him and his fiance, Sarah. I’m very happy that Josh will be joining me on my wedding day as one of my Groomsmen.

Robyn: Robyn has been part of my (Elizabeth's) life for as long as I can remember and I am so honored that Robyn agreed to officiate our wedding. She used to watch me on the weekends so that I could get some one-on-one time with an adult as my parents were navigating having two kids at home (How lucky am I?!). Our families have become incredibly joined together over the years - I babysat her son Ben, learned to cook and meal prep from her, made delicious meals for our families with her, and spent countless Thanksgivings as the Sevel-Rardin- Martin-Walter- Chadwicks. Our families have been there for each other for so much. Her wedding to Gregg was the first wedding I ever cried at and I just remember being so overcome with the beauty of love and human connection. Her calming presence, analytical nature, and insightful thoughts have made her a trusted confidant during all the various phases of my life. When my mom and I were struggling to get along or communicate, I knew I could count on Robyn because she loved and cared for both of us. I am so excited for Robyn to share her wisdom, thoughtfulness and warmth with everyone at the wedding!