Maria is Seyka's cousin. Seyka and Maria grew up considering each other basically sisters (thanks to our moms for ensuring we were able to nurture this bond). Maria is a smart, bubbly, beautiful, fun young woman who is developing herself into a successful business woman. She has done great work for animals (both rescuing and working in the pet food industry) and is pursuing a career in recruiting. Maria and Seyka can usually be heard from a mile away with their high pitched squeals of excitement, and they can usually be found having thoughtful conversations, or out partying the day away.Brian first met Maria in February 2016 when she came down to visit in Los Angeles. Although the girls have had to learn how to reduce their shrieks so they don't risk giving Brian a migraine, but the sacrifice is worth it.

Eric is Brian's older brother by three years. Both attended the University of Michigan to study engineering. During Brian's freshman year (Eric's senior year), they were fortunate to live on the same block and spend a lot of time together. Eric and Brian may disagree about if baseball or soccer is the better sport, but they agree that Michigan athletics take the cake.Eric and Brian have been on many ski trips together along with trekking around Europe several times (with Lesley and Anthony of course!).In the early days of Brian and Seyka, Eric made a point to call Brian, opening with "so I hear you have a girlfriend now...". Little did he know he was asking about his soon to be sister. Eric is a great husband (and soon to be father!), adventurous, full of wit, and a complete joy to be around.

Hannah is Seyka's most recent sister. Hannah married Merlin (Seyka's incredible brother) and opted into their crazy family. She is the bride pictured in the image attached. Hannah met Merlin at Yale School of Drama and went on to act in The Good Wife (a popular TV show). Since then Hannah, Merlin and their wonderful little pup have moved about the country and finally settled (for a little while at least) in Chicago, IL.Hannah is an intelligent, gentle, bright, fun, entertaining bundle of love and true joy to know. Hannah met Brian for the first time during one of Seyka and Brian's many trips across the country. Merlin and Hannah generously hosted Brian and Seyka for a late night and early morning stop over. Since then Merlin and Hannah and Seyka and Brian have been sure to get together any time they are able. The bond just keeps deepening.

Anthony is Brian's brother-in-law (Lesley's husband). He's a father of two and a brand manager for KitchenAid at Whirlpool.Despite being six years older than Brian, Anthony and Lesley were always gracious in letting Brian tag along their dates while they were in high school.Anthony met Seyka on a vacation to San Diego. This trip involved great San Diegan coffee (oh YOU know), some interrogating of Brian's new girlfriend, a rooftop vegan yoga studio, and Brian getting food poisoning which resulted in a few awkward photos of Lesley, Anthony, Casey and Seyka touring San Diego as a quad. Anthony is very sacrificial and takes incredible care of his loved ones. He is compassionate, goofy, fun-loving, and has an incredible Garth Brooks impression!

Merlin is Seyka's older brother and Brian's soon-to-be brother! He has worn many hats in the last five years but currently resides in Chicago with his lovely wife Hannah doing management consulting.Merlin is exceptionally bright and well-spoken. His deep care for his family is always on display and is quite the example to learn from. He has such a fun and approachable personality which is contagious to those that are lucky enough to get to know him.Just a few short years ago, Merlin proposed to his wife Hannah with Seyka hiding nearby in the bushes, snapping pictures of their beautiful moment. On November 11th, 2016 Merlin flew across the country (per Brian's complicated and secretive request), hid in the bushes under a bridge in Portland, and took incredible photos of Brian asking Seyka to be his wife.

Lesley is Brian's older sister. She's pictured here with her husband Anthony and two perfect kiddos (Levi and Annie) all four members of this crew are in the wedding party! Lesley has a background in consumer research and marketing. Right now she is fully engaged in wifing, mothering and raising her family. Lesley and Seyka first met on a vacation to San Diego. Seyka had taken Brian's adoration of his sister to be a good sign for Brian's respect for women (it was), but after meeting Lesley Seyka quickly determined it would be hard for anyone to not love Lesley a whole lot. Lesley goes out of her way to make sure there are delicious vegan meals available for Seyka during their vacations (and often makes the fancy vegan recipes herself). Lesley is not only a friend and soon to be sister for Seyka, but also a great role model of a mother and a wife. Lesley is bright, thoughtful, caring, has great style, she's a great listener and so much fun. She's a fabulous cook and a great mom.

Seyka and Lisa have been friends since high school and causing trouble with each other for about that same amount of time. Lisa is an executive assistant in Silicon Valley. Of course she is excelling in a career that asks her to use her charm, organizational skills, knack for logic, and ability to kick butt and call names. Lisa is a blast to be around - make sure to snag a moment of her time at the wedding. You don't want to miss this funny, energetic, quick witted, playful woman. She goes a lot deeper than that, too. She has a great depth and a fiery passionate heart for those she cares about. To know her is to love her. (Lisa is also engaged currently and planning a wedding. Going through this process with someone who understands the great joy and stress of it is a GIFT!)

After interning together in 2013, Casey and Brian have grown to be great friends with a lot in common. After finishing college, they took a six week backpacking trip across Southeast Asia before returning to SpaceX to start working full-time. Casey and Brian are currently roommates in a small 2-bedroom apartment in Hermosa Beach. They do many things together, such as beach volleyball, hiking/camping, traveling, going to concerts, going to church, and general adventuring around Los Angeles.On Brian and Seyka's first date Seyka said "wow, you work with your roommate, go to church with him, get meals with him and spend the weekends together? That's a lot of time with him." Now looking back Brian thinks he should have said "strap in, you're about to be doing that all with him too". Brian, Seyka and Casey have been on an incredible trip to Colombia together along with many adventures around California. A lot has changed since Seyka has become part of the crew. Casey has responded by endorsing Seyka on LinkedIn for things like "plant eating" and "roommate stealing", affectionately... right?Casey is exceptionally smart, caring, dependable, and responsible. He is introspective and eager to challenge social norms. We'll see if he keeps his long hair for the wedding. And yes, he's really tall.

Jon is Brian's elder cousin from his mother's side of the family. He resides in Grand Rapids after attending Calvin College. Him and his German Shepherd, Cato, are inseparable and flood Brian and Seyka's Snapchat with precious footage throughout the week.Jon came out to visit Brian early 2016. During that visit he was the first family member to meet Seyka. (He quickly let it slip that Leanne had requested the inside scoop from his recon mission). They bonded over a very short period and started planning their next reunion in Vegas (with Maria). Though the miles are long, and political views different, they stay close and connected.Despite never living in the same city, Jon and Brian's relationship has only strengthened with time. Jon doesn't sugarcoat things and tells you exactly what's on his mind. His sense of humor is unmatched and his loyalty is pronounced.

Ashley and Seyka have been friends since Seyka's freshman year in high school as well. While the miles have grown between their homes, the distance hasn't meant much for their communication and connection. With daily text messages, IG tags, and calls every other week, it's hard for Seyka and Ashley to ever really feel like they miss a beat. Ashley spends her life taking great care of creatures who cannot protect or care for themselves. She has studied animals through her schooling, she has volunteered at otter rescues, at tiger / lion rescues, with other associate animal wellness organizations and is currently caring for creatures as a Wildlife Rehabilitation Technician. She also has a history of nannying children who absolutely love her. She treats animals and humans with understanding, grace, empathy, gentleness, and a true desire to make sure others know they are valued for their unique imperfect perfection. Ashley is a bright, smart, caring, brave, strong, bold, fiercely loyal and elegant young woman.

Alison and Seyka have been friends since elementary school (woo-hoo go Village School) they were neighbors through elementary, middle and high school and saw each other off to college. Alison has seen Seyka through very many of her awkward stages growing up. Since they were allowed to walk around the neighborhood by themselves and over the course of the past 20 or so years Seyka and Alison have had the practice of going for long, long walks to discuss life, share ideas, process emotions and dive deep into the internal thoughts that two young women have. Alison is a nurse living in San Fransisco. She keeps people well, makes sick people better, and in general does all of the life saving things that we all need for health professionals to do. Alison is funny, playful, open minded, intelligent, caring, a fabulous listener, and a woman with great depth of soul.

Kyle and Brian have been close friends since middle school. After high school, Kyle went to Michigan State (still not sure why...) to study accounting but he and Brian have remained close and made a strong effort to see each other. Kyle has since married, and he and his wife, Chelsea, have gotten a Golden Retriever, bought a home, and recently had their first baby!Kyle and Chelsea made the trek to see Brian and Seyka while they were in Northern Michigan while Seyka and Brian were there for a wedding in 2016. Although Brian got a brutal migraine, it was a great opportunity to reconnect with the Dennys and for Seyka to meet these important friends. Kyle's sincerity and benevolent nature is truly unique. He is a role model in every aspect of his life. He has a very kind and gentle spirit which is a blessing to encounter. He has a great sense of humor and knows how to have a great time.

Melissa and Seyka are obviously partners in crime, based on the photo here. They met in college in the dorms freshman year way back in 2009. However their real friendship didn't blossom fully until after graduation. Melissa is an ambitious and driven woman who is pursuing a career in education. She has recently been studying and testing to earn her math teaching credentials, as well as finishing up her graduate degree in teaching. She is already working in the school system teaching kids. Additionally she must have been a designer or stylist in a past life because every outfit she puts together is legitimately inspired.Melissa is a lot of fun. She's mature, thoughtful and pragmatic. If you spend any quality time with her you immediately notice how empathetic she is - which allows her to relate to and connect with a wide variety of people. She is independent, self sufficient, and wise beyond her years.Melissa is also very creative. She has so many great ideas for things to do, ways to have fun, ways to make things beautiful - when Seyka needs inspiration or ideas, Melissa is most often her go - t0.

Kurt and Brian met while volunteering for a month on Summer Staff at Windy Gap, a Young Life camp in North Carolina. Immediately, the two became a dynamic duo running the sound system at camp and being goofballs at every opportunity (there may be incriminating photos of them on Facebook). Despite being hours away while attending the University of Illinois, Kurt and Brian remained close through college and still today while Kurt lives in Chicago.Kurt made a long drive out to meet up with Brian, Seyka, and Brian's family during a visit back to the Midwest. Although Brian got a debilitating migraine, Seyka was so glad to get to meet Kurt and finally put a personality to the guy who holds more of Brian's profile picture slots than anyone else (not anymore!).Kurt lives by the motto "live frat, die Young Life" and it couldn't fit him better. As a Young Life leader, he is a shining example of how to have fun at all moments while keeping true to what you believe. He is very stylish and knows when to be let loose. Kurt is a deep and caring gentleman with a great heart.