Jim has known Alex since she was born, cause, well...she's his sister! Growing up, they would play lots of games in which Alex would get really mad if she lost, and literally beat Jim up. She is generally the stronger one. One time they were playing Chase the Princess, a completely made up game in which Jim would chase Alex as if he were a pirate chasing a princess, complete with a metal bat as a sword, but never hitting her, of course...it was all pretend. They ran around, then swapped roles, ('cause who doesn't want to be a princess?). Alex then took the metal bat from Jim, brought it over her head, and hit him with every ounce of strength she could possibly muster in her 6 yr old frame. She's very strong. As they got older, they would deal with bullies (Alex would whoop their asses), bad friends (they'd drive the neighborhood and spy to expose the lies of shady kids), and sporting events (well...that's a stretch on Jim's side because Alex would be really proud of his musical theatre performances, which she never missed...if you can call that a sport...and he'd go to her basketball games and watch her literally destroy some girls - ask me for specific stories).Alex has always been there for Jim, in good times and bad. Although she's younger, he has always looked up to her as the perfect example of how to be a tough, strong person with a deep moral center, while at the same time being fun, compassionate, and caring. I love you, Sis.

Emma is Dan's Go-to. Go-to what? Go-to Pretty-much-everything. If speeddial were still a thing, she'd be at the top of his list, and he'd be at the top of hers. They talk through everything - from job woes to people-watching adventures to deciding which type of cookie to get for a snack (her favorite is Oatmeal Chocolate Chip). They've been siblings for as long as they can remember, and partners in crime for almost all of that time. Even as kids, they'd swap war stories of attempts to out-logic Mom & Dad in arguments and debates. In college they were each other's artistic sounding boards. And since then they've both served as life coach and therapist and cookie-cake-creation-collaborator all in one. Neither ever attempts a major life decision without the other's input. In fact, years ago they decided that they each have complete veto power against the other's suitors, and they've both used it. Luckily, Emma loves Jim almost as much as Dan does, so it didn't come into play this time. Emma is honest and determined, laid-back and a perfectionist, and has more love to give than just about anyone in the world.

Jim and Charlie are bros! Literally! They have seen every version of each other's hair (Jim: Curly, shaved, & mullet; Charlie: bowl cut, shaved, hipster shaggy). Growing up, they loved playing video games together, going to high school plays together, (seriously, Charlie and I should have been critics - he came with me to see a production of Gypsy at our mom's alma mater that was 40 minutes away - that's true love), and more than anything, fighting with each other ALL THE TIME. It probably stems from a fight they had when they were super little in which Charlie got the Darkwing Duck stuffed animal Jim wanted on Christmas. Cue the crying and fists. Another time, they were on vacation and Jim "accidentally" punched Charlie across the face, and when Charlie started crying, so did Jim, who blamed it on Charlie. Charlie got in trouble. (Sorry brother!)Charlie is Jim's brother. Throughout their lives, they've been each other's nerdy pals, screamed and cheered for each other from the stands (or the audience), and also traded blows a couple times (Charlie always wins). But more than any of that, they love each other hard, and have always been protective of each other as they have gone through life.

Dan has always looked up to Chris. Chris has looked up to Dan since Dan hit puberty. Dan has evaluated his jokes solely on Chris's reaction for decades. Chris has stolen bites of Dan's hamburgers whenever possible. In high school, Dan strived to reach the bars Chris set so high a few years before. Chris taught Dan how to play beer pong. The list goes on and on. The moral of the story is that for Dan's whole life, Chris has been a role model and a mentor, helping Dan to become funnier, work harder, write better, and drink more beer ("fuck that cider"). Even now, Chris has become one of the most enthusiastic supporters of Dan's artistic work and is therefore (whether he knows it or not) one of Dan's biggest inspirations. Dan can't imagine having a brother with more passion, more brains, and less height than Chris. He's the best. Plus, they tend to have mostly-matching hairstyles, even though they live in different cities and never discuss it. So I guess all the looking-up is paying off :)

Adaire is Dan's other soulmate. They became friends in high school when Sophomore Dan thought that the best way to flirt with the cute and talented freshman girl was to peel a piece of duct tape off the wall and put it over her mouth. Seriously. You can't make this shit up. Somehow she didn't shun him forever, but instead, taught him how to perfect a southern accent, became his best friend, and for five years, his girlfriend and partner in all things. When Dan came out, she was the first to know, and she was there for him every step of the way, even despite what that meant for her. She's still Dan's #1 girl and will be till the day he dies.The first time Adaire & Jim spoke was on the phone while Dan and Jim were drunk on the Red Line. They connected so quickly and so lovingly that Drunk Dan started openly weeping because he was so happy they got along so well. Adaire is hilarious, beautiful, strong-willed, and incredibly brave. She's a keeper.

Excluding siblings, Jessica has been in the picture longer than anyone. They go all the way back to 7th grade summer, when they randomly started playing Line Tag together at the pool. Through high school they did every project together for German class, goofed off backstage of many a school- and church-musical, and quoted way too many movies line-by-line. They've stuck with each other across long distances now for almost two decades - being sure to call each other whenever there's major life news to be shared. In addition to being one of the funniest and loyal people Dan know's, Jess is also a great judge of character. She's that friend that won't sugarcoat her opinion about anything, including the people you're dating. So it was even that much sweeter when she met Jim for the first time and decided instantly that they were best friends. Jess is as dedicated as any best friend can be. She has an unending well of enthusiasm for her friends' successes, and of compassion when they need it most, plus a healthy helping of take-no-shit determination to fight for her friends and what she believes in. We couldn't get rid of her if we tried - and we'd never want to!

Jenny and Jim met in Memphis, where Jim was following his bestie Josh (see below) to party for New Years'. They weren't in love with each other at first sight (probably because Jim was tanked from the moment he walked off the plane, sry not sry, he was ready to ring in that New Year). Later, they both learned through this Josh character than the other person was moving to Chicago, without much of a support group, at the same time. They arranged to meet at a shady sports bar in the loop, and sat down for a beer. And the rest is history. Later, during the weekend in which Jim and Dan had over a crazy weekend of concert-going, Jenny was introduced to Dan (literally the night after their second date) and clicked with him instantaneously. She sort of sealed the deal, in a weird way. :) Jenny is one of Jim and Dan's closest friends who is unflinchingly loyal, outspoken, and passionate about her friends and loved ones. She takes care of people, loves the arts, loves artists, and loves to laugh. She is a one of a kind person and Jim and Dan are so lucky to have her in their lives.

Laura met Jim at a Goodman Theatre opening, after they had talked on the phone pretty much everyday for weeks on end (him from his internship at Stewart Talent, her doing a casting internship for the Goodman). Immediately he was taken by how FREAKING GORGEOUS she was, and eventually, due to their constant phone interactions, went to a MIKA concert together and became fast friends. They still talk on the phone everyday for work (although she's full time at Chicago Shakes now). They probably still would even if they didn't have to. Laura eventually met Dan through Jim and now probably prefers Dan's company (jokes jokes). Laura also REALLY likes champagne. Like in a special way.Laura is a strong, passionate, intelligent, and fierce young woman who both Jim and Dan look up to and admire. They love her deeply and wouldn't be the same as a couple without the smart advice, carefree humor, and twinkle in the eye that she brings into a room.

Liz and Jim met as interns at the Goodman Theatre together (edited) years ago. Towards the end of their internship, they shacked up as roommates in what was, without question, the largest, cheapest, and most awesome apartment in the city of Chicago. Dan was introduced to Liz when he and Jim started dating, and when you get three nerds in a room that all love games and the culinary arts, you get some awesome friends. The three of them lived in harmony together for a year and a half, in a much smaller but equally as awesome apartment. Although they now live apart, Liz is a phenomenal cook, and Jim & Dan both love eating delicious food, so their friendship will forever be unbreakable. Jim thinks she should go on MasterChef someday. Seriously.Liz is thoughtful, rational, intelligent, and straightforward. She is a good, compassionate human who loves her friends and family, and whom Jim & Dan love for keeping their heads screwed on straight when they need it most.

Danielle and Jim met in a very #shady fashion, when he started his Goodman Theatre internship two days late. Danielle was suspicious of this late start, and why exactly he wasn't bundled up in the intern closet with all of the other interns. This intense curiosity eventually brought them together, and they started hanging out. Or something like that. After intensely bonding at several group events, and the pride parade, Jim started dating some dude named Dan who Danielle was kinda like..."yeah he's cool". And yet the intense curiosity came into play again, drawing them together so much to the point that they moved into apartments a mere block from either other! #wow! Danielle then went to comedy school, returned, and had changed. Nah, not really. She just makes more jokes now.Danielle is the person you can always count on. She remember your birthday, holds you when you cry, picks you up from the airport when you're broke, and never misses an event important to you. She is a nurturing and intensely devoted friend to Jim and Dan, who has the best and most infectious laugh in the world. Without her, their life would be a lot harder. And would have less jokes. #comedyschool (D, did we do a good job with the jokes?)

Josh and Jim have known each other since they were freshmen in high school. They met in line at an audition for Temple University's groundbreaking production of "Company" (there was an ensemble!) where Jim was super shady to some annoying actor in line. Josh didn't like that so therefore decided that Jim was a terrible person. But LITTLE DID HE KNOW that after being forced to have movie night watching "The Sphere" by another dear friend (hi Ashley!) they would literally be INSEPARABLE for years. Josh and Jim have been conjoined at the hip throughout all of college, and after a brief hiatus where Josh was chilling back home in Philly and traveling the world, are still the same back in Chicago. (Oh ya and Dan likes Josh too they're like totes brahs.)Josh is the most empathetic, caring person alive. He's an incredibly loyal friend and positive person, who you can always count on when you need someone to make you feel better about life.

Andrew moved into the intern closet at the Goodman just as Jim was moving out...ships in the wind, I suppose. OR WERE THEY? Andrew had gone to college with groomsman Danielle Stack, and since they grew so close during their internship, Andrew was introduced to Jim through Danielle. At first, Jim was like "this guy is like super hot", but as he got to know Andrew better, the hotness only intensified as Jim learned what a WORLD-CLASS NERD Andrew was. They have grown very close over their shared love of dogs, board games, video games, and theatre - ALL THINGS THAT DAN LIKES TOO! So obviously, when Andrew met Dan through Jim, Dan stole Andrew's affection for Jim and now they rival to be the favorite of the sexiest DM you will ever know.Andrew has a warrior's body, a nerd's imagination, and a caring father's heart. He is one of the kindest, most soulful people in Dan and Jim's lives, and has accompanied them on so many ridiculously fun adventures, both real and imaginary. He is a loving person that would fight to death for any of his friends. Thanks for having our back, DM.

Brian is one of those humans that everyone falls in love with within moments. Even though we'd met him on a few scattered occasions, our friendship with Brian truly started at brunch (as all great friendships do) - the same brunch, in fact, that was instrumental in linking Brian up with his now wife, the lovely Laura Durham. At that brunch, Dan turned to Jim and said "Sorry Jim, I think I'm in love with Brian now". And it's still true - we're both in love with Brian (though Laura's got the ring). He's an amazingly kind, supportive, and determined dude who we'd like to keep by our side, pretty much forever. Even though Brian is the most recent addition to our lives of those in this wedding party, his connection to us is incredibly strong. He's always ready with a bag full of board games, a beer, and a really great hug. He's an unwavering piece of our Chicago Family.