Samantha and Kendall became best friends the day Kendall was born on July 22, 1994, and nothing has changed since then. Samantha and Kendall are lucky enough in their adult lives to live down the street from each other, and they hope to never have it any other way! They bond over their love of Disney, travel, food, Mamma Mia, and of course Parker Lily (Samantha's niece). Kendall has been Samantha's rock throughout her life, and sometimes took the role of the older sister for her when she emotionally needed it most. Kendall is the person Samantha trusts with everything in her life, and she is more grateful to have a bond like that with her sister than she can put into words. Samantha feels blessed to have a Matron of Honor by her side that isn't just her sister, but her best friend.

Sal and Samantha met in 2004 on the first day of 7th grade at Glassboro Intermediate School, and oh boy *Mickey voice* they have had a friendship that has grown into a sibling relationship as they grew up side by side and into adults together. Growing up, Sal almost spent more time in the Fokin household than his own, and became someone who is now considered a member of the family. There are over two decades of memories that Sal and Samantha have made (to where she wouldn't even know where to start), but the most important of them all is that Sal has become her second brother and she loves him as such. The Bride is overwhelmed with joy to have him stand by her side on her big day.

Samantha and the Bride have an extremely unique relationship and history. They go by "Sam Squared" and the Bride has always considered Samantha the "better half" of "Sam Squared". They met in 2007 when Samantha Miller was the plus one of a mutual friend for the Glassboro Highschool Snowball dance. They instantly hit it off, but Samantha Miller was given an ultimatum by her boyfriend at the time that it was either him or be friends with the Bride. To this day, the Bride is overwhelmingly grateful that Samantha chose her. Samantha has been someone that the Bride looks up to for her unbelievable determination and strength throughout their friendship as she is in awe of the feats that Samantha has overcome in her lifetime always with a smile on her face and a positive attitude. The bride could not be more honored to have Samantha by her side on her wedding day.

Finley and Samantha met in 2011 in Ocean City, New Jersey when working at the Island Grill. Their friendship grew over the years bonding over Pretty Little Liars watch and wine nights at Pinnacle Ave, parties at 35 Ocean Road, and late-night cruiser bike rides to the Wawa on 12th and West. These experiences blossomed into an adult best friendship. From dance parties at the Bellmawr house, nights out in Philly, and even Disney trips, they have grown inseparable. Samantha considers herself extremely lucky to have Finley as one of her best friends who has constantly supported her through all of the ups and downs in her life over their 10+ years of friendship. Samantha is honored to have Finley by her side during her special day.

Alyssa and Samantha met by complete happenstance. They ended up as random roommates at the View 2 at the University of Maryland in 2013. Samantha will never forget the first core memory she has about Alyssa when they first met, and she walked into her walk-in closet and said "oohhhh I can't wait to borrow some of these!". Since then, they have learned that they have so much in common and always have gotten along extremely well. They both love sports, traveling (and have taken many trips together), Disney, going to wineries, casinos and even gambling. Their relationship has always been extremely laid back and easy. Samantha was also a bridesmaid to Alyssa when she got married to Mike in 2018! Samantha feels unbelievably lucky to have had Alyssa by her side for over a decade to help her get through college, her biggest heartbreaks, and to be one of her biggest supporters!

July 31st, 1995 Matthew's parents brought home his best friend. Now at first Matt didn't know he would be his best friend, but he knew he wouldn't let anything happen to him. Unless of course, Matthew was the reason something bad happened to him. Brian McAlister and Matt were always close. So close, that as a kid Matt would always tell his parents "he keeps following me, tell him to stop!" As the brothers continued to grow there was much less following, and more growing together as true friends. They played every sport, video game, and activity together. The brothers developed the same taste in music, leisure, and sports teams. The bond continued to grow and evolve to where they are today. Matt and Brian's Mother always said, "you boys better learn to like each other because you will be in each other's lives forever." Brian is Matthew's confidant, advocate, rival, and advisor wrapped into one person. So not only did they learn to like each other, Matther is forever indebted to the brotherhood and unbreakable bond they have today.

Matt has known Rick Land for a long time. The earliest memory being on the baseball diamond and sports would become one of the defining lynchpins in their friendship. The two had grown apart for a long time after the early times on the diamond, but that changed once Ricks brother Steve and Matts brother Brian became roommates at Rutgers University. The younger brother's reunion would eventually culminate in the creation of "The Process Bros". A close bond between Lands and McAlisters that stays strong to this day. "The Process Bros" is derived from the Philadelphia 76ers process era. Since the formulation of the group, the Bros decided to go in on season tickets together to watch the team lose in the second round on a yearly basis. The losses hurt, but it only brought them all closer. Rick and Matt got even closer as time rolled on, and they have enjoyed baseball trips, fantasy leagues, and even Ricks wife Aubrey and Samantha have become close friends. One of Matt's favorite past times with Rick is the hours (really days) of arguments for the once-a-year fantasy trades in their various shared fantasy leagues. But of course, the recent re-introduction of Warhammer 40K, takes the cake for Matts favorite hobby with Rick, oh boy the competition! Rick Land is now one of Matt's closest friends and an ally in figuring out getting older (thank goodness he had a head start). As life comes their way, the duo knows that they have each other's backs, and they will push forward toward greatness. P.S. Because Rick can't refute this, Matt has never lost to him in Age of Sigmar and this will devastate him to read I assure you.

Donald Snyder (DJ) is by far Matt's oldest friend. The pair have seen each other grow up starting from the tender young age of 7 in second grade. (80% sure we actually met in Kindergarten when GCCS was still in the historic Smithville but I digress). DJ and Matt would be in grade school together for the next few years through 3 different iterations of GCCS. Going from Mrs. Funk's class ->Mrs. Lizitski's -> Mrs. Whitehead's before the school finally broke up the dynamic duo in 5th grade, as there suddenly were two 5th grade classes. They remained close friends always going over each other's houses to play sports, Super Smash Bros, and get into general tomfoolery. Then on one faithful day Matt left GCCS to go to middle school at GTMS. The duo remained friends (though distant). DJ would go to a technical high school and Matt continued on to Absegami. Communication became strained as they continued to grow and mature in different schools, but not to worry because they ended up at the same college! Imagine that, good ol Montclair State. They just couldn't get away from each other. But even though they were at the same school again, they didn't really reconnect until one faithful day. Their good mutual friend Aaron Kleiner, came up to Matt one day and said, "hey you know this dude DJ Snyder? Want to get a house together?" AND BANG they were under the same roof once again. The trio would end up being roommates for the next few years. Living in two different houses, living, laughing, and of course getting into a few bad situations. (Seriously that Kinnelon house landlord TOLD US they were knocking that building down). Now in their 30s, DJ and Matt now live 20 minutes apart from one other. Matt gets the privilege of watching DJ's son Lucas grow up and has DJ to tell him how married life is before he gets married himself. Matt considers himself very lucky to have a friend like DJ for over two decades.

Bailey. That disc throwin', 3D printing, Smirnoff Ice hidin' son of a gun, embodies what the Fokin clan is all about. He is kind, thoughtful, and always ready for a laugh. Bailey will always be the first to offer his help for anything. Seriously, if there is ever a body in need of disappearing, you call Bailey. Bailey would give his coat to someone in the cold, help solve any problem, or drive you insane with his hijinks. Nothing encapsulates Bailey's goof-ballness more than when he first met Matt. This was at "The Point" in Somers Point NJ. Matt was meeting him and some of the family for the first time and was understandably nervous. Bailey, sensing this convinced his sweet innocent cousin Graeme to hid his right arm. When Matt went to shake hands and got to Graeme a panicked "oops sorry bud" thinking he was missing an arm. MEAN! Matt can say unequivocally, that he is fortunate to call Bailey his brother. P.S. If you try to Ice me during my wedding I will get sweet vengeance.

It is tough to meet the family. First impressions are everything. Tensions are high. At the end of the day you want to be liked. No one made Matt feel more at ease than Spencer Rives. Meeting the family was made easier by Spencer. He is a warm, engaging presence, mixed with an unhinged Tasmanian devil. Spencer helped ease Matt into the family. Always someone Matt could lean over and ask "what's the person's name again?" without judgement. Always one for competition, laughs, and shenanigans, Spencer is always the guy you want in your corner. Matt and Spencer (for better or for worse) bring out the most in each other. The party doesn't start, until these two walk in the building. Matt looks forward to calling Spencer his brother in law and friend for a long time.

Kids go off to college for many reasons. Of course, the main reason is to learn; but in Matt's opinion, it's really to find independence, figure out who you really are, and who you will become. When Matt went off to school, he was nervous. Would he make friends? Would he be successful? Would he make it? In steps David Harraka. The kid who lived in the dorm room beside Matt at college. Matt will always remember getting brought out to the courtyard in front of Bohn Hall (Bohners for Lyfe), to get to know his RA and some of the other guys in the hall. He sat right beside Dave and they immediately started to hit it off. Movie nights, parties, bad decisions, and sports ensued. The vibes were so high they even were suite mates in Blanton. The par had developed a deep bond of self loathing. Always one upping each other's displeasure with the Yankees, Phillies, Jets, Eagles... well you know all of the Philadelphia and New York teams. A memory Matt will always share with Dave was their trip to Yellow Stone National Park and the Grand Tetons. A week of exploration and discovery in one of the most picturesque national parks in the country. Thank goodness Dave was really entering his hiking era because he brought walking poles that saved Matt's life. The duo will need to return to the Tetons one day and finish that hike through the Cascade Canyon. Matt gained a lot from his time at MSU. One of the greatest was getting the opportunity to meet and be friends with Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaave.

Joy has played a huge role in Samantha's life and she is so excited that her Aunt is doing her the honor of marrying her to the love of her life at her dream venue. Samantha has countless happy memories with her Aunt Joy including long hours on St. Charles Beach and 35 Ocean Road in Ocean City, NJ , trips to the Borgata, Eagles parties at the McCabe household, all of the holidays, and many Disney trips! There is no one more perfect to be an officiant for the Bride and Grooms Disney wedding than the Brides Auntie Joy Joy!