Hollen & Michael
Wedding Party
Kelly Farragher
Maid of Honor
Kelly and I met at our UMass Amherst orientation during the summer of 2007. Little did we know that this would mark the beginning of a very special friendship. During our freshman year, we bonded over our love for Halloween, coming up with outrageous costumes that made for many great college memories. Given my severe math deficiencies, I once convinced Kelly to complete an online calculus homework assignment for me and in return, I would do all of her laundry. (A fair trade as far as I was concerned!). Since we lived together all through college, it was only natural that she became my roommate in Boston after graduation. We share too many memories to mention; suffice it say that Kelly is the ying to my yang and a lifetime friend.
Miranda Silva
Bridesmaid
My first contact with Miranda came in the form of a "LinkedIn" outreach, when she recruited me to Oracle. Once in the office, it was clear that we had great chemistry, but she always told me "we can't be friends in the office because I am your manager". During one of our many trips, she introduced me to Mike by phone, who just happened to be calling to see how she was doing. Fast forward a couple of years, I was tailgating with Miranda and Glen during the infamous Kenny Chesney concert. Miranda called Mike to come to our seats to say hi, and.....the rest is history!
Maggie Fortune
Bridesmaid
I met Maggie at work and asked her to lunch during her first week on the job. We bonded over our college sports connections, and she soon began joining my family and me at local SEC watch parties. Mike and I love spending time with Maggie and her fiance, Justin, solving the worlds problems over our fire pit and red vino.
Amanda Sobkowiak
Bridesmaid
How can I ever put Amanda into words? During a lunch break from work, I was in the nearby Homegoods when I overhead Amanda having an impassioned conversation with the moving company that had just lost all of her belongings in her move from San Diego. When I approached her, I learned that she worked with Maggie and me, and I offered her my number in case she ever needed anything. Within a few days, we bonded over reality TV and the best cheese for Charcuterie boards. I soon learned that the party always follows Amanda, and spending time with her guaranteed a fun time!
Chelsey Buffone
Bridesmaid
Chelsey and I picked each other out of a Facebook lineup when we joined a UMASS-Amherst Class of 2007 Facebook group for entering freshmen. Without ever meeting in person, we decided to be roommates based on our CD/DVD collections, decor that we wanted for our dorm room and mutual love of Easy Mac. What she didn't know was that I MIGHT have withheld the truth about my neatness (or lack thereof), a criteria that was high on her list of needs. Despite this difference, we lived together for all four years and she willingly made my bed when I "forgot". Our friendship is stronger that ever and I'll always be her Bear.
Lydia Rosa
Bridesmaid
Darren and I often have friends up for holiday weekends at our cabin in Sunapee, NH. One 4th of July, Darren invited several friends from his work, which included Lydia. Around the fire pit one night, Lydia confided in me that she had a crush on my little brother. Soon thereafter, they began dating, and I knew that she would one day become my sister. Lydia is now part of our family; the sister that I always wanted.
Zachary Gray
Best Man
Zach is my younger cousin but has been more like a younger brother to me. We have memories that go all the way back to childhood and we continue to look for new ways to one-up each other. Zach is one of the funniest people I have ever met and goes out of his way to make everyone around him laugh.
Darren Clark
Groomsman
Darren is Hollen's brother and instantly made me feel welcomed into his family and around his close friends. Darren is a great guy who goes out of his way to do the right thing and make everyone feel comfortable. From attending countless concerts and events together, to making sure a situation did not escalate (you had to be there) the night that Hollen and I got engaged, Darren and I have already shared so many great memories and I look forward to many more!
Glen Silva
Groomsman
Glen and Miranda (Hollen's Bridesmaid) are two of the best people I have ever met. It's because of them that I am lucky enough to be marrying Hollen! Since we moved practically down the street from them last year, I have been able to get to know him more and am proud to call Glen one of my best friends. He would do anything for anyone, and is always there to give me great advice.
Robert Kelly
Groomsman
When I met Bobby (Rob) in college, I knew I had met a lifelong friend. We have so many great times together, including hosting the most successful sports talk show in Dean College history! After college our friendship grew stronger, and I know there is nothing that Bobby wouldn't do for me.
John Desrochers
Groomsman
John has been a constant in my life since I was a teenager, I mean he is basically part of my family. Our great memories range from trips to tropical islands and Nashville (four times) to our endless quest to find the fairway instead of the water on every golf course within a 50 mile radius of Lowell. John has always been there for me and is one of the best human beings I know.
Aaron Turner
Groomsman
Aaron is my longest friend, having met in second grade, and regardless of where we are or how long we go in between seeing each other we always pick up right where we left off. Whenever I have needed him he has always been there for me and knows I will always be there for him.