Brad & Kate
Wedding Party
Jenny Myers
Maid of Honor
Jenny is the bride's beautiful sister! Although these two didn't get along so much when they were younger, they have grown much closer since they each went to college. Now they live across the country from each other, but always stay up all night laughing when they go home to Sycamore for the holidays. Kate has watched Jenny grow into such an amazing, confident, intelligent woman, and is so proud of her little sister. Kate is never failed to be amazed by her ability to be a great, caring teacher while keeping all those kids in line!
Andie Mizumoto
Bridesmaid
Andie and Kate met at orientation at Loyola University Chicago in the summer of 2008 (thank goodness for last names starting with an "M"), but didn't actually see each other again until they became roommates two years later. Kate could always count on Andie to be her partner in crime at Hamilton's or P Co's on a Thursday night...even with class & work on Friday. Andie is one of the sweetest people Kate has ever met, and is so grateful they were able to grow close in college and then continue their friendship for so many years after (aka forever!).
Bailey Heiting
Bridesmaid
Much like Andie, Bailey & Kate met at orientation at college, but didn't become close friends until they joined the same sorority (Alpha Sigma Alpha, baby!), and became roommates along with the rest of the crew a year later. Kate felt lost at college before she ended up in ASA with the greatest friends she'd ever have, including Bailey! From all those years ago until now, Bailey continues to make Kate laugh so hard she cries, and might truly be the funniest person she's ever met. Bailey has been an amazing friend through tons of ups and downs, and is always the life of the party on our annual girls trips.
Cori Boyle
Bridesmaid
Cori & Kate actually did NOT meet at college orientation - go figure! Cori & Kate became close when they joined the same sorority (along with Bailey) and then became roommates a year later. Kate always, always looks forward to visiting Cori & catching up when she's home in Chicago, and can't wait for the next visit! Cori is the strongest & most hardworking badass Kate knows, and she has loved watching her blossom & find her true passion over the years. Kate admires Cori's heart of gold and how much she cares about & would do anything for all of her friends.
Gio Steel
Bridesmaid
Gio had been friends with Andie, Bailey & Cori since the beginning of freshman year at Loyola, and met Kate once they all became roommates a few years later! Kate is so thankful to have such a loyal friend she knows she can always count on. As the sweet mama bear (who still likes to party, of course) of the group, Gio has the kindest, most beautiful heart and is always thinking about how to help the people around her. She's definitely the most intelligent person Kate has ever known, with the most interesting life experiences - including living and working in South Sudan for several years!
Sarah Galick
Bridesmaid
As a nursing student at Loyola, Sarah had all kinds of classes with Andie & Bailey, and became the unofficial 6th roommate of the house we all shared. Sarah is truly one of the funniest, most genuine people in Kate's life. She cares so much for all the people in her life, and is a definite ride or die friend for life! Kate is so grateful Sarah was brought into her life and is always there to give the best advice in both good times & in bad. She also gives Kate a run for her money on her love of Chicago & the Cubs...which is hard to do!
Ajamu Azibo
Best Man
Ajamu is the only man in this wedding party who can literally say he's known Brad his whole life. But not only is Ajamu Brad's cousin by blood but one of his closest friends who is always there for him. AJ is also largely responsible for Brad's addiction to international travel. It was for AJ's wedding that Brad first visited Brazil, and it was with AJ, his wife, Indaira, and their son, Gael, that Brad first got a taste of Europe. AJ's ability to be fearless has always been a quality Brad has admired and tried his best to emulate.
Noah Berlin
Groomsman
It seems like only yesterday that Noah was interning for the Suns and Brad considered him far too wild to ever be a potential friend. Not only have the two become just that over the years but eventually even became roommates. Noah, Stefan, and Brad shared a home for a couple of years where a lot of time was spent sharing stories, helping each other make important life decisions, and, of course, watching Game of Thrones. Noah is now with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Brad will never be able to thank him enough for his friendship and for getting Kate tickets to watch the Cubs in the World Series.
Filippo Chiarenza
Groomsman
Now a comic books reader by day and model builder by night, you'd never know Brad and Filippo used to spend their weekends looking for house parties to crash. It's also hard to believe the two first met at a mall which is hardly even a thing anymore and that they used to page each other when they wanted to talk. In a nutshell, writing memories about Fliippo makes Brad feel very old, but it's worth it when it means having a friend who has a heart of gold as Filippo does. If you only have the chance to make one new friend tonight, you would not go wrong in choosing Filippo. He's a standup guy and the world could use a lot more of him and somehow manages to be all things to all people.
Alex Martin
Groomsman
Alex and Brad met during school orientation at the University of Arizona and later discovered they were both staying in the same dorm room. What followed was a freshman year of video games, purchasing CDs at midnight sales, and watching lots of wrestling. Alex was instrumental in helping Brad be the geek he is today and Brad couldn't be more grateful. The two published a graphic novel together and take annual trips to San Diego Comic-Con every year where cosplay is observed, geeky conversations are had, and tequila flights are drunk. It's a trip Brad looks forward to every year thanks to the chance it gives them to catch up on life adventures.
Arvind Navaratnasingham
Groomsman
Through thick and thin, Arvind has always had Brad's back no matter how much of a pain Brad has been during that process. Whether it by making long workdays a little easier by sharing laughs or making sure Brad had a friend to share adventures with, Arvind was always there. Arvind is kind, funny, talented, and will arguably be the best dancer at the wedding. Feel free to ask him to do a solo dance for you on the dance floor, he would love to shake a move. Of all those on this list, Brad has known Arvind the least amount of time but never even realized that until stopping to think, "What else can I say about a great guy like Arvind?" Hopefully saying he really is like a brother to Brad is enough. Oh, and fun fact - Brad and Kate's first date was to Arvind's birthday party.
Derek Smith
Groomsman
Like Alex, Derek and Brad met back during Brad's days at the University of Arizona. While Brad's time bearing down was short-lived, he is thankful for having had the chance to meet the friends who became a second family to him. Derek and Brad have seen some pretty crazy things over the years and if you get enough drinks in us, we might share some of them with you. But even better are the long conversations Derek and Brad have had over the years on topics from sports to superheroes to just about anything you can name. Brad is thankful for Derek always pushing him to think more and to laugh more, both of which Derek appears to be a pro at getting people to do. Derek also has a tremendous heart and is the new proud papa to an adorable puppy he'd love to share pictures of if you ask him.
Stefan Swiat
Groomsman
Brad isn't just saying this because Stefan studies martial arts (he is even one of two people on here who has a black belt because that's how Brad rolls), but in many ways, Stefan has been a Mr. Miyagi to Brad over the years. Shortly after the two met during Brad's days with the Phoenix Suns, Stefan helped open Brad's mind to many of the great people and interests that Brad continues to be fascinated by today. Stefan is a swell guy who everybody should converse with. They'll be a much smarter and better person for having done so. Brad admires Stefan's ability to impact the lives of so many people in positive ways and hopes one day Stefan has the chance to finally visit Europe as he has always dreamed. Oh, and Stefan is tall. So if you need an icebreaker, you can tell him he's tall.
Kelsey Dickerson
Officiant
Brad first met Kelsey through his job at the Phoenix Suns, where she worked in Public Relations. Over time, they became friends outside of work. Even though they both left their jobs at the Suns, they STILL work together at the Arizona Humane Society getting all those adorable puppies & kittens their FUR-ever homes. Kate of course met Kelsey through Brad, and became fast friends. Both Brad and Kate adore Kelsey and how much she makes them laugh, is constantly looking out for others over herself, and is so supportive of all Brad's crazy ideas (most of the time). As a great speaker in front of crowds, and an incredible person who Brad & Kate both love, they decided she was the perfect person to declare them MARRIED!