Annah & Sharif
Wedding Party
Jen Riedel
Matron of Honor
Jen was my sister, best friend and confidant. Jen was always my greatest role model and wherever I was with her felt like home. Jen and I grew up swimming and spent our summers at the YMCA. As a family we travelled on long car trips and Jen and I fought over which VHS movie we would watch on those long trips. We got quality time in the fall every Saturday at UNC football games. As adults we enjoyed trips to Michigan, coaching, and soaking in sister time whenever we could. Since we were kids she has inspired me to care more for the environment & models what it looks like to love everyone in her life. She was my favorite travel buddy and person to just sit on a couch with. After 30 years of calling her sister it was time to add to her titles. Matron of Honor sounded right. She willingly accepted last October. Before she passed she helped pick my wedding dress and I cannot wait to add so many intentional details to our day to highlight her special place in my heart and in Sharif and I's lives. Jen left for Heaven on April 9th, 2022 and we have missed her everyday since. You'll always be my sister, MOH, and now part of my home lives in Heaven. I'll see you again someday sis. .✨
Seddiq Behrooz
Best Man
My father is my role model and my biggest supporter. Some of my oldest memories are of him playing and coaching me in soccer. Growing up, I spent a lot of my free time working beside him on constructing our houses, along with the other numerous never ending home projects. He deserves all the credit for the handyman skills I attempt to put on display today. Besides being one of the hardest working people I know, he is also the most selfless. For years, he worked a full time job, while pursuing an Engineering degree and raising 3 children. I've witnessed him twice sacrifice his own safety by jumping into wrecked cars to pull out a stranger to help save their life. He's secretly the worlds most interesting man, and my best man.
John Wayand
Bridesman
John is one of my oldest friends. We met swimming for YOTA at the Cary Y. John and I were fast friends and competitors always trying to lead the fast lane at practice (when we were 11). John loved to steal my goldfish before practice daily and we equally complained about the swimming but stayed for the friendship. After years of bonding over long practices and engulfing Moe's we both attended NCSU where our friendship continued. John always had my back and looked out for me like a brother. For the last 8 years we have lived in different cities but always remained connected. Thankful for this lifelong friend who always enables me to be my full self. If your looking for some good stories or blackmail on the wedding weekend definitely get in touch with John.
Johnny Behrooz
Groomsman
Johnny is my older brother and my next biggest role model. Some of my fondest childhood memories are of us playing just about every possible sport we could in our backyard. Being 5 years older than me, I didn't win a lot, and he often whooped me good in wrestling, but it all helped shape me into a more tough and determined person. He also graduated from NC State and helped persuade me into making one of the better decisions of my life in attending there. We bond over how miserable supporting the Pack in athletics can be. Today, he is a father of 3 and turned me into one lucky Uncle of the best nieces and nephew.
Meagan Celii
Bridesmaid
Meagan and I met at YOTA swimming when we were just in 3rd grade. My first memories with Meagan include our parents screaming into the locker-room to get out of the shower so that we could go home. They were extensive post swim practice showers.... Meagan and I got super connected with weekly Friday night sleepovers and comedy special re-enactments. We loved instant messanger and just being all around ridiculous. Through time, space, and hardship Meagan remains a friend and someone I know who always be there to love and support me. Her house growing up was truly my second home. I'm thankful for her and that she is part of my NC family. Cannot wait to bust a move and spend this season celebrating with Megorama and the person who I have the coolest secret handshake with.
Misha Hoskins
Groomsman
Misha is Groomsman 1 of 4 that I met in my Freshman dorm at NC State. After learning he too played soccer, we quickly discovered we played against each other at least once in club soccer, with proof being in a photograph of Misha trying to defend me. Through college and after, we decided we liked each other enough and became teammates on numerous rec soccer teams. We're both die hard Panther fans and spend a lot of our time conversing on how we can win the Superbowl.... one day.
Abby Ellis
Bridesmaid
Abby and I met on the pool deck at Blue Ridge Leaders School when we were just 14 years old. We forged a quick bond, relay team, and claimed some school records on that pool deck. We lived in different cities but year after year we looked forward to seeing one another at BRLS. With time we started staying connected through retreats, texts, and calls during the school year. We both attended NCSU where we were roommates for 2 years! Abby has always pushed me to be the very best version of myself and I don't thank her enough for the friend that she's been. When Abby moved to NYC we stayed in touch & she became my favorite stopover host on the way to Europe! Now we love to take trips with Sharif and Steve to the beach and an annual ski trip. Abby lifelong friend and soul sister.
Eric Wilson
Groomsman
Eric is another good friend of mine I met Freshman year at NC State, where we, including Chad, started rooming together Senior year and were room mates for a total of 5 years. For all 5 years, our house was the gathering spot before/for any major event, or just a pregame for a night out. From NC State tailgates, to concerts, to beach trips, or just a causal dining out, we experienced a lot of life together. He's best known for his sense of humor and charming country accent.
Rebecca Fiorentno
Bridesmaid
The start of any good college friendship begins with you riding in the back of a car on the way to a tailgate with Bojangles in tow with a girl you don't know. Becca and I met in this exact scenario on the way to a NCSU basketball game in 2010. We grew up in neighboring towns & crossed paths many times through church & cross country but never met until that night. We ended up discovering that we had weather & climate together and started getting lunch together one time a week. Becca and I were roommates for a year and have traveled and stayed connected through life's highest highs and lowest lows. My favorite thing about Becca is how she fiercely loves her friends and pursues her dreams. Becca and I have always had a special bond and even cities apart now I know her sisterhood will last.
Chad Linville
Groomsman
Chad was my other room mate of 5 years and a good friend I met in college. A lot of what was said about Eric can be said about us regarding the time we spent hanging out during and after college. Chad also grew up playing soccer, so we played intramural in college and in leagues after we graduated as well. Of all my friends, his passion for sports is unmatched. We figured out how much useless sports knowledge we've acquired in our lives by consistently name dropping colleges NFL players attended while watching our normal does of NFL on Sundays. He is the friend I will always remember buying the first round of beers, and sometimes more, on our nights out.
Ashley Brandenburg
Bridesmaid
In 2010 Ashley was saved in my phone as, "Ashley Red Head from Syme". We were hallmates our freshman year and reluctantly assigned to a project together. I didn't know anything about her at that time but over the years we got close through our classes & weekly hangout sessions. Also maybe our visits to Rum Runners on Wednesday helped out... Our senior year of college we travelled to Brazil for student teaching & later to Mexico, Spain, and other US cities together. In all places Ashley was entertained by my chicken dancing skills. I had no idea that project freshmen year would lead to such an amazing friendship with such an incredible human. Ashley is one of the most motivated, loving, and intentional friends I have. Update: she is now saved by Ashley Brandenburg in my phone. :)
Sankeerth Goli
Groomsman
Sankeerth, or Keerth as we call him, and I met freshman year at NC State, and quickly became good friends. So much so we celebrated our 21st birthday together on a cruise having been born just 1 day apart. Numerous nights in college were spent discussing our big ideas for how we'll get rich one day. Needless to say, we're very much middle class fancy today. We've remained good friends despite him relocating after college for job purposes, but he now resides back in the Triangle area with his family.
Emma John
Bridesmaid
Emma and I were next dorm neighbors and met in 2010 at NCSU. Our freshmen year we were both just beginning to figure out life & we forged a friendship. Emma & I loved to go on long walks & get food with our group of friends at that time in downtown. Over the next few years of college we had almost all of our classes together. We studied together & went out to bars together. My favorite memories of college almost always include Emma. As young adults we were in the same bible study and were neighbors at The Greens. Emma & I were there for each other when everyone moved away from Raleigh. Today we stay connected through girls nights and walks. Emma should honestly be a stand-up comedian but spends her talents/time as a school counselor. Emma is a bright light in my life & a true best friend.
Rich Palka
Groomsman
Rich and I met at Altec after he joined my department out of college not long after I started. We became friends and liked each other enough that we'd still hang out after seeing each other for 9 hours at work the same day. Previously referred to as Hurricane Rich, although settled down a little more now, could be a bit of a wild card that will for sure to get myself and others laughing. He's a friend I could always count on to be down for any last second after work plans/weekend plans, Beach Music festival being one of the usual's.
Hayden Lovato
Bridesmaid
Hayden and I met in 2014 because we were both bridesmaids in a wedding. Through the showers, luncheons, bachelorette trip, and wedding that year we got really close. I remember us turning to one another at the wedding and saying, "We're not done hanging out, right?". Since that time Hayden has been one of my favorite people to spend time with. Hayden has been a ray of sunshine in my life. She has been a supportive, adventurous, and loving friend. One of my favorite trips with Hayden was to NYC where we attempted to bike around Central Park. I don't think I have a better story of perseverance than that bike ride. Since 2014 I've gotten to witness her engagement, her wedding, her become and mom and I cannot wait for more years of friendship!
Susan Goodwin
Bridesmaid
Susan is my older sister who I can always count on. She looked after me growing up, and loved me probably more than I deserved. I say that because being the younger brother, I did more than my fair share of annoying her growing up, from mocking her singing Britney Spears to consistently making us late to our high school classes when we carpooled. Outside of that, she is a role model for me, as she showed what chasing your dreams through hard work looks like (she returned to college to get her masters in counseling years after graduating with her Bachelors). Now she is married to an awesome dude Chad and a fur baby mother to Ziggy.
Mitzie Riedel
Mother of the Bride
Mitzie is my amazing mother. Since I was a little girl everyone has always called me Mitzie's mini-me. I am similar to my mom in so many ways. How I look, how I talk, how I love. I am creative, organized, loyal, silly, loving, and generous because those are the values my mom instilled in me. I learned how to be by watching her. Some of my favorite memories with my mom were spent in the car on the way to swim meets. We would jam out to Christina Aguilera, Fighter and always did our secret handshake right before races. My mom has been my biggest supporter, in school, swimming, and now life. My mother has prayed for me and she has helped me whenever I need it, and always knows what to say to make me feel better. She never hangs up the phone without saying "Be careful, I love you. " I know whatever I do she is always there with me in spirit and just a phone call away. The thing I appreciate most is that she has always made space for my dreams. She's let me chase after all of them, especially the Camino de Santiago. Sharif and I feel blessed to call her Mom and Mother-in-Law. Love you always, Mitz. ❤️ Annah
Judy Behrooz
Mother of the Groom
My mother is a retired elementary school teacher, Salisbury native and now a full time Bibi (Grandma) to her 3 grandchildren. She sacrificed so much to raise my siblings and I, which I will forever be grateful for. She rarely missed my club and high school soccer matches, and may even be a bigger Carolina Panther fan than me! She's the most joyful and laid back mother I could have asked for, and love her dearly.
Phil Riedel
Father of the Bride
Phil is my father. My dad is a fierce protector with incredible sarcasm. Dad is one of the hardest working people I know. He has also been an incredible father- growing up he spent nights sleeping out at the YMCA just to get us signed up for summer camp, whenever I've called in some kind of trouble his first question is where are you and he showed up. He helped recover a suitcase lost in JFK, which is no small feat. My dad has helped me solve problems and he has also instilled strength, encouraged me, empowered me, and shown me I can do hard things. My dad is a lifelong learner with a deep passion and curiosity for space, science, and nature. He and I spent 5 days in Arizona in 2017 and to this day it is one of the most special things I've ever done. I love you always Pops. Sharif and I are excited to spend more time hanging out with you and Mom in the coming years.
Eleanor/James Behrooz
Flower Girl/Ring Bearer
Our flower girl is Eleanor and our ring bearer is James. Our unofficial but mighty cute niece, Lottie, will also be considered a flower girl that day although she's a little too young to throw petals for Annah. Eleanor, James, and Lottie are our first nieces and nephews and we pray for them all the time. They are such incredible humans who love to get their hands in the dirt, play, and talk about anything under the sun. We cannot wait for more time with them soon as their Aunt and Uncle. We are blessed by these cuties in our lives.