Amy is my older sister. Our childhood together could be called something of a World War III. With our age difference, we really never got along when we were younger. A day didn't go by that one of us wasn't pinching the other or arguing about something. At one point I even told my grandmother that I hoped she went to college in California so that she was in the farthest state away from me! So years later, I got my wish and Amy moved to Arizona. To my surprise, once I graduated college I got a job to move to Arizona as well. For the first time in years, we were going to be rooming together under the same roof. I think our mom expected a phone call every day that one of us killed the other. Turns out, we actually got along now that we were both (just a little) more mature. We like to attribute this to us both being of legal age to drink to be around each other! While living together, we opened up to each other with no judgment and leaned on each other when we needed someone to talk to. During this time, Amy became not just a sister to me, but also a best friend If you would like to strike up a conversation with Amy, ask her about my first home construction project.

It's hard to know where to begin with Seth as there are so many amazing memories and stories to share and not enough space here to include them all (or maybe I just don’t want to incriminate a doctor on the internet). Obviously he is my older brother, so we’ve known each other for a few years now. While it’s quite clear we could not be more opposite in our outward appearance and chosen life paths now, at one time I made it my life purpose to be just like him. I joined Boy Scouts, played in the local youth soccer leagues, parted my hair down the middle and even made an attempt at being a participant in the school band (I couldn’t even hack it in the percussion section, in case you were wondering). All of these ventures were undertaken along the path of my older brother’s rather large footprints. It wasn’t until midway through high school, after Seth had moved on to life at UMaine Orono, that I eventually began to branch out on my own to become my own person. While we now have our own separate careers, hobbies and lifestyles on opposite coasts (although our heads do still bear a striking resemblance), I'll always look up to him as my big brother. I am immensely proud of his life achievements as a practicing naturopathic doctor in the pacific northwest and can see that his path has tied perfectly into his greatest attribute: his unwavering love and loyalty for his family and humanity. I couldn't imagine a more perfect person to stand by my side as my best man and look forward to many more adventures together, whether riding the bus down I99 into Seattle or pulling over for a quick gentlemanly puke in the hills of Brown County. If you do not already know Seth, you undoubtedly soon will (we often joke, halfheartedly, that if you spend more than 24 hours with Seth and don’t have an unforgettable story to tell, you missed out on the experience). So while I know there is no need, should Seth’s unique personality not touch you by chance throughout the course of our wedding, if you wish to strike up a conversation with Seth ask him how he solves marital strife.

Ashton and I have been great friends since 2012. We both moved to Arizona to work at Quicken Loans; she from Michigan and myself from Indiana. Neither of us knew too many people yet and were able to meet through some coworkers we shared. I knew Ashton and I were going to be great friends from the moment I saw her leap frog someone in the middle of a dance circle at the bar. Until she moved back to Michigan a few years later, we were inseparable. We had the type of friendship where we could have a girls night-in in our pajamas or a night out filled with drunken shenanigans. When we were together you never knew what you were going to get but we always had a blast. Even though we are back to being in different states (with just a little separation anxiety!), we still remain close friends who can always call one another in a time of need. If you would like to strike up a conversation with Ashton, ask her about my famous Bocket.

It was Fall 2007, my freshman year at Ball State University, and I was sitting next to a rather socially awkward individual in a business college classroom, who also happened to be rushing Alpha Kappa Psi business fraternity. I quickly discerned that this junior would never be a source for the elusive nectar of the Gods; however, little did I know then that Josh and I would go on to be the closest of friends. Our differences have brought us closer together and not a week goes by where we don’t check in on each other in some form. Josh has always been there for me, from helping me escape the dorm life at his Windemere Apartment and being my Malibu cruising DD during our Ball State days, to visiting each other from Chicago to Boston in our adult lives. In between were several busy seasons spent in the historic buildings of BRipp as roommates. There isn’t a secret between us and I look forward to many more years of unique humor with my still very socially awkward best friend. If you wish to strike up a conversation with Josh, ask him about bird watching during nesting season in the Windy City.

Ashley and I have been close friends since 2009. That year I had joined the sorority of Sigma Kappa at Ball State University. During my rush, I was to reveal who my official big sister would be by unscrambling her name. We had not gotten the chance to meet during my rush so when I unscrambled her name I had no idea who she was. As we got to know each other more and more, she eventually cracked open my shell. At that point, I really felt we went from feeling like sorority sisters to real sisters. We knew each other inside and out and she became my #1 shoulder to lean on when I needed someone to talk to. When we lived in the same apartment complex, Ashley's apartment became my second home. Her window was on the first floor so when I wanted to see if she was home, I would come knocking at her window instead of bothering with the front door. Ashley's window is now too many miles away for me to come knocking but I know if I ever needed to, her window would open with no question. If you wish to strike up a conversation with Ashley, ask her about her trip with Miss Daisy.

Josh (aka “Springer”) and I met during rush week with Theta Chi fraternity in the fall of 2008. I was assigned to Springer’s P.O.S. Plymouth on the ride down to the Anderson horse track for one of the rush week events. When rushing in the fraternity you are supposed to turn in your top three choices for “big brother” assignments and I often tell Springer that he didn’t even make my list. The truth is I knew he’d be my first pick from that day at the race track and luckily he later became my big bro. Like true brothers, we’ve come close to blows many a time (still not sure I can stomach pure 1800 thanks to that upside down margarita), but we’ve also grown to love each other like family. Springer and his wife, Nicole, recently welcomed their first child into the world together, Oliver, and I can’t wait to see their family expand and Springer become the great father I know he’ll be. If you wish to strike up a conversation with Springer, ask him about his former break-dancing, alter ego known as J-Man.

Kyla and I met in 2016 after I moved to Massachusetts. Since I work remotely, I decided to try the MEETUP app to get to know some new people in the area since meeting people through work was not an option for me. Kyla had just happened to start a new group for young women our age at that time. It looked like a good fit so I figured I would give it a try! I met a lot of people while going to events in the group but Kyla was the first and main person I gravitated towards. She has become the type of friend that I can easily go drinking and dance the night away with or just have a night in and get some good girl talk in. Luckily, her husband and Zach get along great so they are always our first call when we want to squeeze a good date night in! She kept me sane while I adjusted to moving to the East Coast and all while we dealt with the stresses of building a new home. I'm not sure I would have survived the past few years without her! If you wish to strike up a conversation with Kyla, ask her about the night we went to Dave and Busters.

Sarah and I were coworkers at Dauby, O’Connor and Zaleski in Carmel, IN and while we started as fellow interns in the 2012 busy season, it probably wasn’t until we came back full-time that following December that we really became friends. It’s hard not to get to know someone when they spend half an hour at your cube each day talking to you while your budgets go to hell, and over time we bonded over our love for dogs and eventually Boston sports (she only came to her senses after falling in love with a fellow Masshole stranded in the Midwest, Dan). I sometimes wonder if we would still be friends today had we actually worked on the same clients as our management styles could not be more different, but thankfully I’ll never have to find out the answer to that question. After four busy seasons at DOZ, I moved back to New England, but our friendship has stayed the exact same, if not grown with the distance. Sarah and Dan always make a point to swing by to see us on their whirlwind New England tours visiting Dan’s family and we always get together in Indy when we’re out there to visit Shannon’s. Sarah may be the only female in this groomsmen party, but I’ve never thought of her as anything other than just another one of the “guys,” and I mean that in the sincerest way. I was always proud to call her my coworker in our time together in public accounting and am excited to have her stand at my side as one of my closest friends on our wedding day. If you wish to strike up a conversation with Sarah, ask her about free piggyback rides at the office holiday party.

John (more commonly referred to as “DēMōss” or “DĕMŏss,” still not sure which is correct honestly) and I rushed Theta Chi fraternity together in the fall of 2008 as pledge brothers. Sharing an address at the fraternity house that following year really cemented our brotherhood as lifelong friends. As my original southpaw cornhole partner, we formed an unbeatable pair (although I admit our skills may have since waned). From running around the streets of Muncie, looking for shenanigans, to watching DeMoss become a father figure for his young son, Rowan, I could not be prouder to call him my fraternity brother and now, groomsman. While the miles have recently separated us, I expect we’ll pick up right where we left off when we cornholed the last unwitting pair of doomed contenders. If you wish to strike up a conversation with DeMoss, ask him about his passion for late night antiquing.

Heather is married to my brother, Brandon. Heather became a part of the family in 2013 and is the amazing mother of my nephew, Carter. The minute I witnessed that she could actually keep my brother in line, I knew she was here to stay! She never hesitated to join family events; from every holiday and birthday to even joining Amy, mom, and I to the movies for the Twilight Movies or 50 Shades of Grey. She is even to blame for creating my LuLaroe obsession that has slowly taken over every closet in our house (which Zach loves!). I couldn't have asked for a better sister-in-law to join our family and become a part of our lives. If you wish to strike up a conversation with Heather, ask her about my phobia and Carter's attempt at exposure therapy.

Ilea is Zach's sister. She is always my first person to go to when I am in need of a tag team against either one of her brothers. She will never turn down a good race on Mario Kart or round of Michael Jackson Dance. I'm pretty sure we have stayed up until 4 am at least a few times, dancing away in the living room to 'Thriller' until we finally had to give in to sleep. She has been a tremendous help to us throughout the whole process of building our house. She even made an attempt to teach me how to do flooring and how to sidewall but, as most of you who know me can imagine, it didn't go as well as we all hoped. She has been supportive of us from the very beginning and has always made me feel like a part of the family (or loony bin, I think were her words). If you wish to strike up a conversation with Ilea, ask her about my epic scuba diving fail in Aruba.

Dave (or as some may mistakenly refer to him, David) and I go back the longest among our groomsmen (except for Seth of course, but that’s out of my control). We were coworkers (or for better lack of a title, meat bitches) at Piantedosi’s through high school, the finest butcher shop on the south shore (perhaps all of New England?). Dave was the freshman, pretty-boy, quarterback of the football team and I was the junior, artsy, nerd – my athletic “career” long in the rearview mirror by that point. What began as resentment, mostly because he got out of working prime time and July 3rd thanks to “sports” and “family events,” eventually turned to friendship. Somehow, we found a bond learning Portuguese (mostly the profane stuff), wearing a hole in the same counter we endlessly wiped down all day and slinging sausages, patties, steaks, quarter pounds of thinly sliced salami, etc. Many years later, after Dave of course finally grew some stubble and turned 21, we enjoyed our first Busch together and the rest was history. Indiana separated us for many years, but our bond never diminished thanks to several trips back ‘n’ forth (who wouldn’t like to forget that road trip in the baby blue Volkswagen beetle). Now that I’m back in Mass for good and we’re only a few miles away, I look forward to many more shared cold ones of Busch (Light these days) with his soon-to-be wife, Caitlin. If you wish to strike up a conversation with Dave, ask him about his behind-the-back, trick shot in beruit (and thus the comeback steed was born). You’d think this legendary shot would fade from memory by now, but it may yet be his crowning achievement in life.

Brandon is my older brother and also a fellow Theta Chi brother of Zach. Growing up as the middle child, Brandon played his role very well. He somehow managed to play both sides when it worked to his advantage without either Amy or I realizing it! Our relationship growing up was pretty much opposite of Amy and I. Minus the occasional childhood fight, we got along pretty well. We spent a lot of our time playing Super Mario, sliding down the stairs on sleeping bags, eating cookie dough for dinner, and throwing socks at the living room fan and hoping we didn't break anything. As we got older, Brandon became a huge motivation to me when it came to grades and career goals. He even convinced me to follow him to Ball State and major in the same field as him, Actuarial Science. You could almost even give him the credit for helping Zach and I meet. If it wasn't for him, I never would have gone to Ball State and definitely wouldn't have ended up at the Theta Chi party where we met. If you wish to strike up a conversation with Brandon, ask him about the time we thought we had an intruder in the house.

When Shannon and I first rekindled our long-distance relationship from Indiana to Arizona, I can remember her telling me about Amy’s new squeeze, Dennis (who would later become her husband). When I finally got the chance to visit Shannon at her home in Phoenix I met Dennis and Amy in person. I think I made a good first impression by whipping up a homemade lasagna and showcasing my breathtaking pong skills in Shannon’s previously virgin dining room. While outwardly, Dennis and I could not be more different, our inner qualities share many similarities. We both have a taste for craft beer (although I admit he can put down a couple more than I), enjoy home-brewing and working around the house in our spare time, and share a love for hand-picked, fresh strawberries. Dennis is one of those people who I’d say I “clicked” with when we first met and I look forward to calling him my brother (in-law) in the near future. If you wish to strike up a conversation with Dennis, ask him about Charles.

Carter is my nephew. At the time of the big day, he will be four years old. If you see him try to get an early autograph as he will one day be the new Peyton Manning or Larry Bird. There isn't a single sport that this kid doesn't love. When I come to visit, he reminds me how out of shape I am and keeps me on my toes! If you wish to strike up a conversation with Carter, ask him about his favorite sports team, the Colts.

Bill and I first met when he was unwittingly assigned as Seth’s dormmate during his freshman year at UMaine Orono. After my initial surprise at having survived this cruel twist of fate, I would come to learn that Bill could withstand most storms. I’m not sure I can think of anyone I’d rather be with if I were to be dropped in the middle of the wilderness. Over time, he got to know Ilea, who also attended UMaine, and they’ve been together as long as I can remember. I always look forward to his jaunts into society when he visits us in Plymouth or when we catch up at the Parents’ cabin in Maine (especially when he bakes cookies). I think of Bill as one of my brothers and he could not be more perfect for Ilea. I’ve heard tell he looks great in a monkey-suit and can’t wait for him to be a part of our day (just don’t lose the beard!). If you wish to strike up a conversation with Bill, ask him about his secret baking ingredient in lieu of vanilla extract.