Wedding Party
Nikhil Kulkarni
Best Man
In elementary school I used to ride my bike to Nikhil's house, where we would spend the day playing video games and arguing about football. Nowadays I drive my car down to Charlotte...where we spend the day playing video games and arguing about football. The years between looked much the same! No matter the age, place in life, or result of the last game, Nikhil has always been a rock solid presence in my life, someone who has seen me through the best times and the worst times, always ready to play a game, but always willing to help take on a heavy burden too. Look out for his Best Man speech, in which he will no doubt try to take revenge for mine at his wedding ;) I was incredibly lucky to make a lifelong friend at 8 years old, and even luckier he's kept me around! Cheers to Nikhil!
Daniela Perallon
Maid of Honor
Daniela and I are approaching ages where we'll have known each other longer than we haven't. In 15 years, our friendship has included a mutual love (read: obsession) of Harry Potter, late night heart-to-hearts, and a never-ending agree-to-disagree on fashion. Daniela was the first new friend I made in high school, where I couldn't stop laughing at her over-the-top storytelling antics. I'm so lucky that I still get to appreciate those same antics as we backpack through North Carolina or on long car rides home to Florida for the holidays. More like a family member than a friend, Daniela has been a sister to me through the highs and lows of high school, college, and adult life. Nothing feels more natural than to have her as my maid of honor in April.
Isaac Fine
Groomsman
Isaac is the best compliment giver I know. Its an amazing skill to know exactly how to build someone up, and I've been blessed to see him exercise it. In college, Isaac made sure I never doubted what I could achieve, and never felt discouraged when I wasn't quite there. Whether I needed someone to light a fire under me, calm me down, edit my paper, or just spend an evening playing video games, Isaac was the man for the job - Convenient, that he happened to live in the same small cement block as I did. As our careers have taken us to different parts of the country, its been a bit less convenient to call on Isaac, but he's been no less reliable. Still a valuable listening ear, paper editor, and video game partner, I'm thrilled to have Isaac as my friend.
Olivia Calandro
Bridesmaid
In graduate school, Olivia and I spent as many hours chatting at the Iris Cafe as we have on airplanes over the past four years. Both lovers of travel, we have visited northern China, Hong Kong, and Bogota, Colombia, navigating languages and customs that fuel our friendship and our teaching practices. Olivia was instrumental in setting up my first date with Corey, and it was then I learned to appreciate her true nature as an 1. It is difficult to remember my life before her sage wisdom, thoughtfulness, and analytic nature. A day with Olivia will certainly include "She's the Man" references and a discussion of your Enneagram number. I can't wait to have those same references and discussions on April 5th and for many years to come.
Kyle Sutton
Groomsman
Every year on the first day of school, I tell my Freshman students about MY first day of high school - When I walked into math and saw a wide eyed kid in the back who looked like he might let me sit next to him. Over the course of the next few years, Kyle established himself as an incredible source of wisdom. Usually delivered while crushing me at ping pong, Kyle offered advice on everything from girls, to classes, to workouts. When not spending long hours talking, Kyle and I have always found something to bond over, whether sports or math problems. Kyle's advice will always be trusted, and I will continue to look forward to discovering our next passion, whether its a mutual interest in Excel or an adventure to Harry Potter World. I'm thrilled to have Kyle as my groomsmen, and friend!
Louise Hunt Brink
Bridesmaid
Louise and I were college roommates my senior year as well as sisters in our sorority, Theta Alpha. Though only having lived together a year, Louise was an unwavering support system in my transition to the Delta to join Teach For America. As our friendship has grown, I’ve learned that loyalty and thoughtfulness are key components of who Louise is. She is the person who remembers that one thing you mentioned that one time, and she is the person who will walk all over a city to help you hunt down the newest trend latte. We joke that Louise is trying to shake me loose in all of her moving to China, New York City, and, now London, but she is on the big adventure we always talked about, and I'm so grateful to have her a part of mine.
Adam Huisingh
Groomsman
Adam is a person who is defined by his intensity. If you've ever played a game with him, you know how intensely competitive he can get, and if you've ever shared a problem with him, you know how intensely compassionate he can be. Adam was an excellent roommate during my last year of college not JUST because he was always willing to skip class to play Zombies, but also for all the reasons he has remained an excellent friend - He's a great listener, a fun competitor, and always up for anything that might be awesome - With Adam involved, it usually is. I look forward to more games carrying Adam in solo queue, more gluten free restaurants, and more long TFT strategy discussions. Here's to South Quad dorm life - I'll be forever thankful Isaac remembered to fill out the paperwork!
Erin Lightner Krawec
Bridesmaid
Erin and I became friends when I met her five years ago on a trip to Ann Arbor with Corey. Incredibly gracious, we spent the day exploring all of her and Corey's favorite Ann Arbor spots. Since then, we have explored a little farther together, including Christmases in Köln where we bonded over our love for coffee and travel, and her visits to Nashville with friends and Nick. Spending time together often includes competition, be it Euchre, Tri-bond, or Heads Up!, and I am constantly impressed by her ability to recall the smallest fact or incomplete song lyric. Erin is kind, thoughtful, and an incredible listener. I am looking forward to our future vacations, holidays, and late-night Euchre competitions (where Nick and I go alone on farm hands) as both friends and family in the future.
Bobby Gatny
Groomsman
Somehow, Bobby finds a way to become a more indispensable friend at every stage of life. In middle school, Bobby and I bonded over Academic Games and football, then in high school we spent countless hours playing basketball, working on school projects, or standing in line at Madden releases. College came and though we went to different schools, I still wound up spending many nights in his dorm, as he came through for me again and again. Since college, Bobby's home has been my favorite vacation getaway, unless he's come to explore Nashville or Florida or DC. The only downside to visiting Bobby is I never get any sleep, which might be because we're marathoning Magic, or having a spirited debate, or maybe I just needed some advice. I look forward to seeing our friendship continue to grow!
Brianne Parsons
Bridesmaid
As my older cousin, Brianne has been my friend, my confidant, and my mentor my entire life. Growing up, she gave me advice, never told my aunt when I swiped icing from the birthday cake, and taught me to play all the card games our family loves. When I got my first teaching job and struggled with classroom management, she let me cry to her and told me I could always come home, but she believed in me. She has been a steadfast support system through all of life's transitions. I know her today as my cousin, friend, and mother to Natalie and Brodie. I always want to make her proud, and I couldn't be more grateful to have her stand beside me at my wedding even though we both know she's been standing next to me every day all along.
Tyler Jones
Officiant & Groomsman
Before my first date with Jenna, I sent pictures from the J Crew dressing room of the various outfits I was considering buying to Tyler. I went with the one he recommended, and we see where that led! Tyler has been a close friend, supporter, and fashion aide since long before I met Jenna, but has been particularly important to Jenna and me as we've grown together. We're thrilled to have Tyler officiate our wedding, closing the loop as the friend who has known us the longest and seen us through the most. We are thrilled to have Tyler and Jen as neighbors again, and look forward to more evenings together. I know that wherever life takes us, Tyler will always be ready to discuss Michigan football, date attire, whats going wrong at work, or how great our wedding ceremony was! Thanks Tyler!
Megan Diaz de Arce
Bridesmaid
Since we were young, Megan and I have been bonded by competition. From tournament ball, family softball battles at Christmas, and high school runs for state, we have experienced both the highs and lows together. She has consistently been a calm reserve of advice and logic when I call in a frenzy and a thoughtful friend as the years have passed. I love that we share the same loud laugh and inability to be caught off-guard by a camera. As the distance between us has shortened to a day's drive from DC to Charlotte, I'm grateful that our visits have increased, and I look forward to many more years of craft cocktails at Kindred and evenings spent in board game competition. I'm so very thankful to have her stand with me on my wedding day as my family and friend.
Andrew Bigos
Groomsman
I challenge anyone to find me someone who doesn't like Andrew - Its impossible. Andrew is the epitome of kindness, and the easiest person to have fun with. This probably explains why Andrew has always been surrounded by friends, and his place has always been one of social gathering. Whether Tuesday night game nights, cardboard sledding behind the dorms, or just mountain dew fueled video game nights, Andrew is always at the center of whatever fun thing is happening. I feel so blessed to always be included in Andrew's adventures - May they always continue! In the midst of the revelry, Andrew is always ready for a serious discussion. From God to friendship to work to weddings, Andrew has deep and invaluable insight, always given with joy. This year my wedding...next year PAX again!
Morgan Bowerman
Bridesmaid
Morgan Bowerman is a beautiful human that I met on a party bus while Corey and her husband, Mike were groomsmen for their mutual friend, Kyle (one of Corey's groomsmen). Both teachers who had experienced tough years at their previous schools, we bonded while the bridal party hopped on and off taking pictures. I immediately loved Morgan's candidness; she was such a refreshing personality after having spent my first fall in DC. Since then, the conversations changed topics some (we both still love talking school), but they keep being easy as we chat at the pool while her kids swim or during fondue Fridays with friends. Morgan has a beautiful heart, and I am so thankful for our friendship over the past two years and to celebrate this wonderful day with her!
Jolie Wilson
Junior Bridesmaid
Jolie is my younger cousin who came into our lives when I was 15. I loved coming home from high school and college to jump on the trampoline with her and find new ways to play tricks on our unsuspecting family members (spider monkey!) From beach trips and summer movies to visits to Gainesville, Nashville, and DC and whitewater rafting in North Carolina, Jolie is always up for an adventure. She is my favorite person to share a dessert with, and we both agree that it is the most important part of the meal. You would be hard pressed to find a more tender heart or lover of animals. She is a beautiful soul both inside and out, and I couldn't imagine my wedding day without her.