Dana & Louissa
Wedding Party
Dr. J'mir Lamont Cousar
Best Man
J was one of the first people I met on my first day of college. We quickly became best friends and despite living hundreds/thousands of miles apart for the past decade, whenever we see each other its as if we are still living down the hall from each other. Fun fact: In October 2017, J bonded our brotherhood through blood when he named me the godfather of his son, Jace.
Sophia Hernandez
Maid of Honor
Sophia & I met at Alaris Rehab (my first job after grad school). It was my first day at work and to my surprise... hers as well. Sophia has been there for me through my highest moments and some of my lowest. She knows me better than I know myself. There are so many things I could write about Soph but since I have to sum it up... she's the hot sauce of my life [insert GIF of "Cancun shoulder roll" here]. Fun fact: She is just as "crazy" as I am!
Dr. Robert Freundlich
Groomsman
Not only is Rob my longest friendship, he's also my first friend ever. Legend has it that when we were first starting to walk, our grandmothers would have us compete against each other in the barbaric sport of "baby racing." Fun fact: In 2006, Rob & I navigated ourselves across a 1000 mile stretch of the western United States using a map from Cracker Barrel of restaurant locations.
Kim Bane
Bridesmaid
I always hesitate for a sec when people ask how Kim & I met... I mean, it’s awkward to tell people it was a dating app (because then I have to explain there is a setting for meeting people to make friends). On our first date (is that the right term?) I told her about “how epic it would be to get dragged behind a snowmobile on a snowboard.” Without skipping a beat she pulls out her cellphone and shows me a video of her doing what I had just described! What’s the platonic term for “love at first sight”??? The next day we met up and hit the slopes, & then we went the next day. & the next Day. All of a sudden Kim, her husband, Dana, & I were hanging out every week. She’s so awesome; genuine with a pure heart and a passion for adventure. How long have I know you? Feels like a lifetime :)
Reeshi Ray
Groomsman
Reeshi was my first roommate post-college, and in ways, he became a second brother. Few people have had to put up with me the way Reeshi has... because as my roommate, he was also my unofficial test-dummy as I learned new moves in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (usually without expressly giving consent). Fun Fact: In the span of 24 hours, Reeshi and I swam with manta rays, sailed up to an active lava flow, wrestled mountain lions, and ascended the tallest mountain in the world (by car) - come to think of it, one of those things is false.
Kristine Veneles
Bridesmaid
Kristine is one of my best friends, she just happens to be my friend with the fewest words (she's as quiet as I am loud... I don't know how she deals with me). We met at Alaris Rehab, and since then, we have done tons of random stuff together - late night workouts, 24 hour gaming, climbing up mountains, snowboarding down mountains, losing phones off the side of a yacht, to traveling the country together. Fun fact: When Dana & I drove cross country, Kristine took our house key so that she could fly out to meet me (so I'd have a familiar face to greet me in my new home)... but when we arrived she was passed out and we were locked out of our apartment.
Corey Eisenberg
Groomsman
I like to think that I didn't meet Corey, Corey met me. Although to be honest, I probably met Corey given that I was an intelligent 7 year old and he was just an unintelligent newborn with no cognizance of his surroundings :) Since then, he's not only gained awareness of where he is (most of the time) but we've moved on from simply being brothers, he's also one of my best friends. Fun fact: Corey does a great impersonation of Alki.
Andrea Ascura
Bridesmaid
Oh little sister... Andrea is my not so little, little sister. Growing up she and I were polar opposites. She was the type that would study while on vacation while I was the type to sneak out of the house. But as we both got older, the more we shared in common; from fashion to music, from loving snowboarding to being foodies. Fun fact: Andrea used to get upset or cry whenever anyone in our immediate family would drink an alcoholic beverage.
Alki Antonopolous
Groomsman
The first time I met Alki was when I walked in to my apartment and found him sitting with Louissa and our friend Desiree sitting on the floor of our kitchen where they were smoking hookah. My first thought was "why are you guys sitting on the floor?," my second thought was "who the %$*! is this guy?" Little did I know that Alki would quickly become one of my best friends. Fun fact: Alki and Desiree are getting married this September.
Desiree Vega
Bridesmaid
Dez & I go way back... back to the Starbucks days! I used to hide a mirror behind the register and she would be behind me trying to check herself. Yup! we were trying to work those tips, counting our pennies, and rushing to deposit our paychecks so we could go party at night. Frequently moving as a child, Dez is one of the longest friendships I've had. She has been there for me and seen it all. Fun fact: I used to sneak Dez into bars before she was 21.
Dr. Jay Eisenberg
Officiant
Uncle. Godfather. Author. Man of refined tastes.