Amanda & Gabe
Wedding Party
Allison Hess
Maid of Honor
Allison and I have been inseparable ever since we met travel nursing in San Francisco in 2012. The majority of the shenanigans I will tell my future grandchildren about one day have most likely involved Allison in some way (and most of the other bridesmaids). Besides sharing some great adventures, she has been an incredible friend to me throughout the years, and I can't imaging walking down the aisle without her.
Austin De La Cruz
Best Man
Austin is one of my longest running friends as our moms worked together and signed both Austin and I up for golf lessons when we were in grade school. I HATED golf, but more so HATED golfing with Austin. This hatred turned into a friendship that has been on going for the better part of 20 years. We have shared numerous adventures with each other, and have been there for one another during some our lowest times, as well as some of the best of times. I could not imagine having anyone else up there with me as my best man for our wedding. Austin and his wife, Kori have grown into a major part of our lives and we could not be more excited to share future memories together. If you want to break the ice with Austin - Ask him about "The Mustard" story from our first time golfing together :)
Maddy Carretero
Bridesmaid
Maddy and I met playing volleyball on the beach in San Francisco together during a MeetUp group (how California is that, right?). Besides being the best dog sitter to my first love (my dog Max), when we lived in San Francisco, we share a love for good food, wine, and travel and have spent a decent amount of time enjoying all that life has to offer in these categories.
Moonie Dillard
Groomsman
Jerrod "Moonie" Dillard has been one of my best friends since Freshman year of high school. More specifically, since a summer program prior to our freshman year that included Me, Austin, Moonie and Theo called Upward Bound. Moonie was the shy, very attentive "good student" and I remember wondering if we could be friends...he seemed cool enough? So one day, while in class we just so happened to be sitting next to each other and I discretely wrote him a note and passed it to him - He read it and immediately starting laughing out loud - inevitably getting us both in trouble as his laugh made me laugh. And the rest is history. If you get the chance, ask Moonie what was written in the note. He SHOULD remember as its one of our favorite stories to commemorate with each other.
Lindsay Beaver
Bridesmaid
Beaver (as everyone calls her who knows her) and I met when we worked on the same nursing floor in San Francisco. Besides being an incredible charge nurse, she also loves good food, wine, musicals, and travel. In fact, we went to the Philippines together a few years back and had the best time island hopping with Himmel (see below). She, like all of my bridesmaids, is always down for an adventure, and that's what I love about all of them.
EJ Engle
Groomsman
Edward Engle IV - AKA EJ, is probably my second longest running friend as we grew into our friendship together while in 6th Grade. We shared many similar interests together, but The day I knew EJ was my kind of dude, was when we were in 6th grade and we both tried out for the basketball team. Due to our athletic abilities we were both cut from the roster and I was DEVASTATED. As my chubby self was walking back to the locker room crying, EJ came up to me and put his arm around my shoulder and said "F*** it dude, lets go out for wrestling" And the rest is history. We continued as team mates in wrestling all through out middle school and high school. Those were some of the best times. If you get the chance ask EJ about some of the high school pranks and shenanigans we used to pull together.
Ela Borczynscki
Bridesmaid
One of my two favorite Canadians (the other one is listed below) and also one of the kindest people I know, Ela and I met through my maid-of-honor Allison, while travel nursing in San Francisco. Ela is always up for an adventure, and we've had many together including spending 18 days trekking in the Himalayas together with our friend Emily (also in the bridal party) and going to Lake Tahoe, Los Angeles, Miami and more.
Dan Antonsik
Groomsman
Dan and I's friendship did not truly blossom until about college, as we shared many mutual friends together and were always in the same place at the same time. In the past decade we have really grown closer with each other, especially since Amanda and I have moved to San Diego. Dan has came and visited us.... *fetches calculator* *crunches numbers* ..too many times to count...But every time he has came and spent time with us, it's nothing short of an epic weekend. Him and Amanda share a secret handshake now! If you get the chance, Ask Dan to show you the secret handshake...Also ask him about his long lost friend, Phillipé.
Emily DeAngelo
Bridesmaid
Emily (or "Himmel" as most call her) and I met way back when I was travel nursing in San Diego. It's crazy to think how much time has passed since then. We've since lived together, traveled to the Philippines and Himalayas, worked together, and so much more. We've also enjoyed cheering on our favorite sports teams despite her being an Ohio State fan. It might have taken some convincing, but I'm happy Gabe is still allowing her to be in the bridal party. She may be a DeAngelo now, but she'll always be a Himmel to me.
Jake Battle
Groomsman
Jake and I's story follows the same story line really as mine and Dans' friendship. Jake and I grew up together and even went on a spring break vacation together with Austin for my senior year of high school. It was not until after that trip that we really became great friends. Jake has had the opportunity to come out to San Diego with Dan and spend the weekend with us wreaking havoc and summoning our inner Poseidon's (forks up!) Ask Jake about the one time he came to pick Dan up from a college party I was having and how that night turned out for them.
Nadeane Dashtaki
Bridesmaid
My other favorite Canadian and also one of the kindest people I know (Canadians really are the nicest)! I met Nadeane during orientation for travel nursing in San Francisco at the same time I met Allison. We bonded over exploring San Francisco together with the rest of the travel nurse group. Although she now lives in Missouri with her husband and new baby, we both still make time for a catch up on the phone. She's also well versed in Canadian leg wrestling, which I look forward to seeing at the wedding. :)
Anthony Sandoval
Groomsman
If you know me then you know how close I am with my family and how tight knit I am with all my cousins. Anthony has been not only one of my closest relatives but also one of my closest friends. Growing up I always looked up to Anthony as he was the oldest out of all of us cousins and for having a killer music and video game collection. As we grew older we also became closer, as I would make it a point to go visit him and his now wife Shelby in Texas frequently- one time in which they coached me during a Jiu Jitsu tournament I had in San Antonio! Anthony and Shelby are truly the sole reason why this marriage between Amanda and I is actually happening If you get the chance, ask Anthony how I met Amanda.
Bianca Negron
Bridesmaid
Bianca is Gabe's younger sister, and when it comes to sister-in-laws, I feel like I hit the jackpot. Besides being kind, funny, and way cooler than I'll ever be, Bianca has always welcomed me with open arms (along with the rest of the family). I always wanted a sibling, and I am so excited that I will soon have a sister. She's also provided me with some great kid photos of Gabe in his awkward stages, and for that I am forever thankful.
Theo White
Groomsman
Last but NOT least, the Man, the Myth, the ABSOLUTE Legend and life of any party, Theo. 800 characters is not nearly enough to express just how much this man has made an impact on my life and how much his friendship truly means to me. As mentioned before Theo was apart of the summer program Upward Bound and in our first summer together we were roommates. And through out the rest of high school we were absolutely inseparable. As time progresses and life takes us on our different paths, I never forget where I came from and the people who helped shape and mold me into the person I am today. Theo plays a very large role in that as I really do not think I would be the man I am today without the friendship I shared with Theo. If you get a chance, ask him what our favorite P diddy song was & why