Wedding Party
Ryan Bloss
Maid of Honor
Going back roughly 15 years, from hardly standing up straight in college to now standing by my side as my Maid of Honor, there is no one else I could want helping me out, calming me down and most importantly, planning my bachelorette party. We've made a million memories, many of them questionable, and that is what make's them unforgettable. Between living together, 5 years, sharing the bed our first night in our apartment, to spooking people out with our love for seances, to shaking our butts on stage at Festivals, to now watching your daughter grow, I am so thankful for our friendship.
Willa Blue Reddy
Bridesmaid
In our first interaction, I ran up to you and slurred, "Are you Willa Blue?" while maniacally laughing and running away, leaving you confused, but thankfully not too scared to become my roommate the following year. We would continue to live together for 5 years, 5 years of collages, smoochy boochie, new experiences and finding forever friends. I couldn't be happier to have you as my Maryland anchor, for always opening your home to me and making every visit to see you so much fun.
Toni Ann Guerrero
Bridesmaid
When I was younger, I wanted to be just like you, to the point of becoming potty- trained in an instance just so I could wear big girl underwear like Toni Ann did. You were always so cool that it seemed unattainable. Popular at school, an amazing dancer in company, the loudest singer at the family campouts and later in life, successful in your career and marriage. Now seeing you and Waldo together, I feel like maybe there is one thing I can do like you. I hope to be just as happy with my partner and to build as many memories together. I am so happy to have you by my side and proud of the example you have set as what love today can look like.
Dana Ingram
Bridesmaid
For as long as I can remember I thought my cousin, Dana, was the epitome of cool. I remember her painting flowers on her bedroom walls with nail polish and thinking this is what being a teenager looked like. I can still recall all the horror stories of your prom experience, but it just made me excited to grow up; it all seemed so fabulous and dramatic at the time. Even with an 8 year age-gap you invited me to your parties and had me up to visit you at college (where we dyed my hair bright red). You always invited me in whatever was going on and made me feel welcomed and included. It's that inclusion, these memories that me so excited to have you by my side on my wedding day.
Kurosh Ruch-Kamgar
Best Man
Was it first period French or maybe struggle-to-stay-awake-after-lunch physics where we first really bonded? After our original stomping grounds of Bernardsville, NJ and a few connections in NY, it was Baltimore, DC and NoVA that showed us the world. We managed to stay out of any real trouble while not always doing the best job trying at the same. Work days at the pool, arts festivals that on one hand are Baltimore standards and pop ups on the other. Thanks for being my climbing partner as we both discovered the sport and for pushing me to push myself.
Eric Stephenson
Groomsman
It was a No Shoes Dance Party that set the stage for us to reconnect. That is, after a hiatus that followed an early childhood friendship. You’re the only one who can understand my Bedminster references, like why we would have to go to the library for math. Thanks for introducing me to a part of Baltimore (and the world?) that was hiding in plain sight. We’ve certainly bonded more through music and nature than I could have predicted at age six! And it’s great to see your family growing. Now, about trying to be safe with a crossbow before it’s loaded…. THWUNK! I guess that’s why they say safety third.
Myk Carroll
Groomsman
How we ate Pat’s cooking every day for years and lived in a house constructed of bleach residue without catching some massive illness still eludes me. Guess things are just easier when you’re twenty. You brought some joy to my time at RPI, definitely appreciated and would have been absent without you. I’ll always be your little brother (remember, the original one!). I think you may have been the one who taught me to fish, though I don’t remember we ever caught anything, so maybe I should be glad I didn’t pay for those lessons. After college we had some moments in NYC and it’s good to be back north so we can stay in touch. We’ve (terrorized and?) survived Savannah and Myrtle Beach; what will be next? One more thing…. Tabasco bad.
Jonathan Brainin
Groomsman
Well, I didn’t always know you were there, big brother, but we’ve come a long way since that first meeting many years ago. Thanks for introducing me to and making sure I kept the door open for some of the musical genres that are most interesting to me now. Those musical influences have definitely stuck better than any forays into sharing film (“bring me a shrubbery”). You’ve made sure I never starved for a decent stereo in college and beyond, and I’ve shared music from the new kids who I’m guessing on some occasions you wish had not grated your ears. Don’t worry, I’ll keep it coming.