Alex and I go way back, all the way back to when he was born! He's my younger brother and has become one of my closest friends. He once told me he never wanted to go on another adventure together (because I led us on a path where we had to swim across a frozen lake) but we've been on many more since and I'm thankful to have him by my side as Erica and I start the adventure of marriage.

Jordan and I first met in college through connections to the swim and dive team. In Jordan's words "After realizing that we had more in common than just our love of chlorinated-hair-speedo-wearing men, Erica and I grew our friendship through Thanksgiving trips, dining hall dates, running adventures, Gilmore Girls marathons, ice cream pint eating, and pretty much nonstop dreaming about our weddings/obsessing over Brilliant Earth rings." I like to joke that I was in two long distance relationships for my years in DC since I had to be far away from both Jordan and Ryan, but in all seriousness Jordan's unending love and encouragement is definitely a reason that this day is happening!

Linsey and I became friends in college through Iron Sharpens Iron (ISI) and the women's bible study. Linsey says it best "We both were getting involved in ISI for the first time in a real way, and we were able to relate to one in another especially in the joys and challenges of thinking about a career in medicine, being a person of faith in college, and our love of Starbucks. Over the years, we had many study parties, late night talks, wine nights, Starbucks dates, and just hangs in general, and Erica quickly became one of my most trusted friends." When I got back from abroad Junior year, Linsey was actually the one who introduced me to Ryan. She probably thought nothing of it at the time, but I'm so glad she's been a part of this love story since day one, and even happier she'll be with me on the big day!

Paul is my youngest brother, tallest brother, and goofiest brother. He's helped Erica and I keep things in perspective during the wedding planning and thinks that he can beat me in a race. Although he got his fishing trip canceled the day we got engaged, he's excited to finally have a sister. I'm pumped to have Paul standing with me and I know he'll have some good stories to roast me with in the toast.

Marisa is the closest thing I'll ever have to a sister (especially now that I'm marrying into a family with all boys!), although we definitely fought way less than most sisters. We grew up across the street from one another, and probably spent as much time in each other's houses as we did our own, "until [her] parents decided to move 15-minutes away and ruin our lives. Since then we have always counted down the days till we both got home from school to plan family dinners, ski and do what we do best - eat and watch TV." I always knew Marisa would be up there with me when I said I do, and I'm so excited that will be the case come April!

Brian is currently in Army flight school in Alabama (but he told me he couldn't fly us to portugal so I don't know what he's learning there). Brian has been with me since high school and has helped me grow into the person I am today. It has been so fun spending time with him and Erica and seeing that relationship grow over the past few years also. He's always good for a sarcastic comment and I'm alway ready to give him a quessadilla so its a pretty fair friendship.

Andy is the only married one of the bunch and he really loves to surf. He's one of my oldest friends and it has been so much fun to transition into this new season of life alongside him. His favorite foods are sunkist gummy snacks and peanuts! He's also one of the most positive people you'll ever meet and he kind of looks like buddy the elf when he grows his hair out.

Alex and my mom met in our neighborhood when Alex was one month old and I was one month from being born. They immediately became friends, and we've been friends ever since too. We grew up only a few minutes apart, started school in the same class, and soccer and swimming on the same teams. By middle school we spent less time together as we got busy with our different schools and activities, but through it all I always knew I could count on Alex to be there and pick up right where we left off.

Colby and I were randomly assigned freshman year roommates at Notre Dame, and someone was definitely looking out for us when they made that happen. I probably was a terrible influence when it came to sleep patterns and study habits, but there's no doubt we helped get each other through freshman year, and come Sophomore year that random assignment was a chosen friendship that I'm forever grateful for. I'll never forget sitting in Colby's dorm room senior year and gushing about Ryan (she totally called me out on liking him before I'd admit it) and I can't wait for her smile to be there to make our big day even more joyful.

Anthony is one of my best friends from Notre Dame and partner in trying to escape the Notre Dame bubble when possible. We studied abroad together in Jerusalem and spent most of our time exploring the city and meeting people instead of studying. Anthony had a huge beard before he started his finance job but he'll always have a little Pacific Northwest hipster in him. He is great at bringing people together and I'm excited to have him stand with me on this day.

Liz was the senior year friendship I never expected. Although we'd played football together since freshman year, it wasn't until we became RAs together in the Pang that we really became friends. Ryan third wheeled plenty of nights when Liz and I hung in the dorm instead of getting rowdy with the rest of the senior class (only sometimes because we were on duty and had to, more often because Liz's futon was really comfortable), and was always the trusted friend who would come home early from Finni's with me. Liz caught on pretty quick that I liked Ryan as a little more than just a friend (pretty much immediately, actually) and I think her calling my bluff for months straight probably contributed to the fact that Ryan and I finally did start dating.

Will is Erica's oldest brother and one of her closest friends. He also is responsible for my nickname in the Mitchell family (Gunner). It is beautiful to see the love that he has for his sister and it has been great getting to know him over the last few years. Will founded his own company and spent the last summer living in the bay area so we had a chance to spend more time together. I'm thankful that he'll be supporting us as Erica and I enter into marriage.

Ryan is Erica's younger brother and currently goes to school in New York City. It has been awesome getting to know him over the last few years. Ryan is a world traveler and can become friends with pretty much anyone. He came to our engagement to surprise Erica (the video is pretty sweet) and it was fun getting to celebrate that time with him as well. I'm excited about the ways our relationship will continue to grow.

Adam was one of my first friends at Notre Dame and became one of my best. He's helped me grow so much in my faith and in my life throughout college. We really bonded when we unknowingly almost died in a coal mine but we've both learned from that experience. Adam lives in Indianapolis and mistakenly believes his sunsets are better than the ones on the pacific ocean or over the rockies. He's been a part of my relationship with Erica from the start and I'm so thankful that he'll be a part of our wedding day.