"Maddie and I have been best friends since the 7th grade! She got married in 2022 to Alex and has an adorable dog named Cookie. Maddie, Alex and Cookie live in West Chester, Ohio but are constantly on the go with travel and spending time with family and friends. Maddie is a completely selfless person and sees the good in everyone and everything. Maddie inspires me to aspire to be a better person, and to appreciate the many blessings I have in life. No matter how much time goes by, when Maddie and I get together again, it's like nothing has changed and our silly sense of humor comes right out. We laugh at things that most people would probably not think is funny, and we sometimes wonder what our parents thought of our 7th grade selves. It is truly an honor to have this girl not only be apart of our wedding, but be my Matron of Honor. I am so blessed to have Maddie in my life from that day in 7th grade where we became friends, to the very end of our lives." -Jackie

"Lexi and I have been friends since college and she currently lives in Strongsville, OH with her husband Billy and two dogs, Cooper and Baker. There is never a dull moment with Lexi. She keeps me laughing when we hang out together and she loves to have fun and enjoy life. I miss living under the same roof as Lexi, let alone the same city, but at least we don't get in as much trouble together anymore (until the next time we hang out). Lexi prioritizes her family and friends, and is an extremely supportive and caring friend. She also is the biggest dog-lover and if there is ever a dog in her sights, she must go give it pets and love (especially if the dog is wearing a vest that says 'Do not pet', she will still try her darndest). Lexi is such a light and she has taught me over the years to be silly and just have fun. She keeps me on my toes and gives me the feeling that everything will be alright, no matter the situation." -Jackie

"Haley has been my ride or die since the first day of college. We lived together all 5 years (college victory lap) in Athens, Ohio and grew together through some of the most influential and changing years of our lives. I wouldn't be where I am today without Haley. Haley is a very caring and loyal friend, inside and out. She is a NICU nurse at Cincinnati Children's Hospital and is responsible for saving lives each and every day. Haley is a free spirit and consistently puts those she loves before her own needs and wants. We have thousands of memories together and I know we will make millions more." -Jackie

"Rachel and I met a few years ago through Joe and Gary when Rachel and Gary started dating. Sometimes in life you have those people who you meet and immediately know you will become lifelong friends. Rachel is one of those people for me. If I could describe Rachel in one word, it would be sweet. She has a huge heart and loves deeply. Rachel doesn't let hard times define or change her, but rather, she grows from them and keeps moving forward with a positive and loving attitude. Rachel and Gary are now engaged (yay!) and have a chunky and beautiful dog named Meelah. They all live up in Cleveland, Ohio in a house they bought a little over a year ago. When I need someone to drink tequila with me, Rachel is my go-to girl. I love the memories we have made together and I am so excited for the future memories we will make." -Jackie

'Gretchen and I have become really close friends over the past couple of years here in Columbus. We became close from our early morning gym workouts and mid-week wine nights. Gretchen is a no non-sense type of girl, and has an incredibly sarcastic and ornery sense of humor. She is also an extremely loyal friend who I can depend on for anything. It's hard to find new close girl friends as an adult, but Gretchen has made it so easy, especially when she brings over free wine during the week from her day job. Gretchen lives with her fiancé, Alex, and they are right around the corner from us in Grove City. I am grateful to have a friend like Gretchen and for her to be apart of our wedding day' - Jackie

"Janie is my longest friend, dating all the way back to the 3rd grade where we met on the playground. The reason we initially became friends is because we were wearing the same Ohio University sweatshirt (3rd grader logic). As we grew up, Janie and I learned a lot of life lessons together and helped each other through the difficult ones. We learned how to play guitar together, wrote songs, made music videos and thought we were going to be famous one day (at least I did). Janie and Maddie and I became quite the trio of friends growing up and are still extremely close to this day. Janie lives in Goshen, Ohio with her boyfriend, Andy, in a house they bought together a couple years ago. They have been doing an incredible job of fixing it up and turning it from a house to a home. Janie is a remarkably down-to-earth person, and she enjoys the experiences of life, rather than the materials. Janie enjoys being out in nature and admiring the beauty that this earth has to offer." -Jackie

"Joe and I became friends in 2nd grade. We have competed with each other in just about every sport throughout our childhood and through high school. Joe quickly became the brother I did not have growing up. Our families spent endless summers together traveling Ohio for baseball tournaments. We have been best friends since I can remember. Freshman year of College I visited Joe at Ohio University, while I was attending Saint Leo University in Tampa, FL. That weekend I met Billy, Sam, Spencer, and Andy as well. That following week, I put in my application to transfer to Ohio University for the Fall 2014 after one weekend with those guys. I couldn't imagine going through the life changing experience of college without them. Joe is always a voice of reason for me, and for the most part he is correct. I would not be the person I am today without having a best friend like, Joe. " - Joe

"I met Billy during freshman year of college in 2013. He was roommates with Joe Houk. During our first encounter, I knew immediately that Billy and I would be friends for the foreseeable future. He quickly assumed the role as my rival when playing any video game or competing in anything for that matter. Billy and I had the pleasure of bartending together for 2 years at the J-Bar. We experienced some of the best and longest night of our lives behind that bar. Billy has always had my back whenever we found ourselves in a tough situation. He is a great friend, and I can't wait to take our families on vacations in the years to come. " -Joe

"James has been my best friend since we were in diapers. Although James grew up one street away from Emerald Woods, he was still part of the "hood". James and I have always been close. We always had a strong chemistry on the soccer field or playing for our Church basketball team. Our families have been friends for 20+ years and I know it will always continue. James and I manage a mediocre fantasy football team together in the world-famous North Coast Fantasy Football League. We will figure it out one of these years. " -Joe

"I met Nate in 4th grade. We immediately became friends through our love of baseball and soccer. Nate, Joe Houk and I quicky developed a close friendship and spent weekend after weekend with each other growing up. Our friend group has remained strong for 20+ years and I know it will continue. Despite, Nate, being a Pittsburg Steelers fan and living all across the country in the last few years, we still manage to keep in touch and support each other." -Joe

"I met Gary during Junior year of college when he transferred to Ohio University. Gary and I became friends right away. We shared a lot of classes together and were both part of the entrepreneurship club at school. I have always been able to convince Gary to agree with me, which immediately puts him towards the top of my list of best friends. I was able to convince Gary to get a dog and since we have spent a lot of time together since college with our better halves and our dogs. Gary and I lose a lot of Euchre to Rachel and Jackie, but I am not sure if that is our faults or the bourbons." - Joe

"Spencer has been a friend to me since 2015 when we both transferred to Ohio University. I had the opportunity to live with Spencer for multiple years in college and our friendship has always been strong. He helped me raise my dog Xena when I rescued her during our last year in school and he holds the role of god-father to Xena."

Dan plays a unique role in our lives and we could not think of a more perfect person to marry us. I met Dan when I was hired at the Jbar. Dan, being the social butterfly and wingman he is, took me under his wing and introduced me to his good friend from The Crystal, Jackie Tate. We could not be more thankful for the role Dan has played in our lives and the great friend he is today.