Wedding Party
Erik Swanson
Groom
Hey there! I'm Erik Swanson, originally from Tampa, Florida, where I took long walks on the beach and sometimes went to school. My college days were spent at The Citadel, where I made some lifelong friends and probably caused a bit of trouble along the way. These days, I'm serving as a Captain in the Army full-time, and I recently wrapped up my Master's in Cybersecurity at Berkeley. I'm the proud brother of Adam and the soon-to-be even prouder husband of Caroline. Our relationship has been a whirlwind of long-distance and frequent moves, but against all odds, I've found my best friend, love, and personal gremlin all rolled into one. When I'm not working, you might find me tinkering with computers, trying to remember what i came downstairs to look for, or at the gym. And yes, I'm still amazed we managed to make it through The Citadel without getting kicked out.
Caroline Banks
Bride
Hello there! I'm Caroline Banks, the bride-to-be, and I'm thrilled to share a little bit about myself with you. Born and raised in the beautiful city of Charlotte, North Carolina, I've always had a deep love for my home city. After high school, I spread my wings and flew to UNC-Greensboro, where I earned my degree and discovered my passion for special education. Now, I'm living my dream as a special education teacher, pouring my heart into helping children reach their full potential every day. When I'm not in the classroom, you can find me cuddling with my adorable rescue puppy, Oakley. He's stolen my heart and keeps me on my toes! Family means the world to me, and I'm blessed to have an amazing older brother, Jordan. As I prepare for this new chapter in my life, I can hardly contain my excitement. I'm counting down the days until I walk down the aisle to see my best friend and soon-to-be husband, that handsome guy with the dimpled smile. I can't wait to begin our forever together. This journey has been filled with love, laughter, and unforgettable moments, and I'm so grateful to have all of you by our side as we take this next step. Here's to love, new beginnings, and a lifetime of happiness!
Adam Swanson
Best Man
Adam is my younger brother, best friend, and Best Man. He loves Star Wars (the original trilogy), the outdoors, cross-fit, and surfing. He also went to The Citadel about the same time-frame as me, but sadly they would not let him stay in the same Battalion for fear of his well-being (sad i know). Adam is now studying for his Masters at Cambridge, although he can't surf there he now is on his college's rowing team (didn't see that one coming). Also an expert on the slopes, some have called him the Shaun White of Skiing.
Anna Banks
Maid of Honor
Let me introduce you to my Maid-of-Honor, Anna Elizabeth Banks. Anna and I have been extremely close our entire lives. While more like a sister than a cousin, she is in fact my first cousin. Anna is bold, friendly and adventurous to my reserved and introverted. This, however, was not always the case. When we were young, we grew up about a 5 minute bike ride from each other. We were convinced that anybody passing by in a white van was a kidnapper and surely ready to snatch us up from the bike path. We spent much of our summers at the Hempstead pool, summer camp (regardless of where we sat, the black snake was over our head), family “Pawleys Island” beach trips and random sleepovers. I will always treasure our Y Guides years (along with our friend and fellow bridesmaid, Emma Rose), with those Daddy/Daughter dances and Long House trips. While it’s impossible to narrow down “favorite memory” to just one, all of my memories are times that Anna was so, so funny and entertaining… from the time our entire 14-person family forgot us at the boat landing and a stranger brought us home (p.s., Anna was convinced we would be abducted but all turned out okay), to all those times she told her parents she was going “running”, but instead came to our house to eat snacks and drink sodas, but would splash her face with water before we dropped her off at home. I love Anna dearly and I’m so very happy that she will be with me on my most special day.
Ben Greeson
Groomsman
Ben and I were college roommates at The Citadel and did Cadre together while there. At one point our Commandant knew him on a first name basis so he's kind of a big deal. Its a wonder we didn't get kicked out but we made friends for life along the way. Originally from Mount Pleasant NC (no, not SC), he currently works for Soil Jack Grading. In his free time, at least once a month you can find him playing Army. Ben is a gym bro and enjoys the outdoors and the occasional video game. And, he's possibly the best skid steer operator I've ever witnessed.
Cole Johnston
Groomsman
Cole went to high school with me and my brother Adam and has been a long time best friend. We were all on the high school wrestling team at some point or another, I think this or weight training class is where we met initially. Cole had a full blown beard by the ripe age of 12 and could bench 300 by the time he was 15. We used to long board in our off time or sometimes sink kayaks in the bay out near Oldsmar. We share a ton of childhood memories, and Cole is one of the most genuine, kind hearted people I have ever met. At some point we'll convince him to move up to NC from FL.
Jordan Banks
Groomsman
Next is my soon-to-be brother - in law and newest friend, Jordan Banks. I understand from Caroline that Jordan typically ignored anyone she brought home, so when Jordan walked right in and shook my hand when we met, I took that as a very good sign. He's a tech geek like me and while he knows more sports stats than anyone I know, we just avoid those conversations. I'm happy to have Jordan on my side of the aisle in March.
Meredith Banks
Bridesmaid
Next, please meet my cousin and bridesmaid, Meredith Claire Banks. I am so happy to share this “wedding season” with Meredith and her fiance’, Jon Barbee (they’ll be heading down the aisle in May). Anyone who knows the “Banks” kids will tell you - Meredith is the kindest and most thoughtful of us all. She is truly one of the most caring and compassionate people I know. On many of our 20 or so family beach trips, Meredith would befriend an elderly beach “neighbor” and would visit that senior, bringing cookies, lemonade and long talks on the porch. One of my favorite memories of Meredith - on one particular Pawleys trip, our dear grandmother, “Granny”, had an injury which prevented her from walking on the beach - so Meredith brought the beach to her. Meredith spent the day hauling sand, shells, buckets and beach chairs to the porch, so that Granny could enjoy the beach like everyone else. Meredith’s thoughtfulness and compassion have not diminished through the years - a surprise to none, Meredith dedicates her professional life to non-profit organizations which make a huge difference in the lives of children and youth in Charlotte. I am so happy that Meredith will be such a special part of our celebration.
Paige Banks
Bridesmaid
Next, I’ll introduce to you my cousin and bridesmaid, Margaret Paige Banks. Paige and I are the closest in age of all the cousins, and since we grew up about 20 minutes apart, we spent so many wonderful times together - You know how your phone shows you “memories”? My phone shows me countless “duck lip” photos of me and Paige - listening to music and laughing… while making duck lips. It was a thing back in the day. Paige is a wonderful combination of serious and silly/ brilliant and goofy/ and endearingly kind while being brutally honest. One of my favorite childhood memories of Paige - our families went on a Disney cruise years ago - I was probably 5 or 6. I ended up with a terrible ear infection and spent the trip in my room feeling perfectly miserable. Paige spent her trip (and her shore excursions) selecting gifts for me and at the end of each day, she would come hang out with me, bringing me gifts. While all the Banks kids are smart and hard working, Paige is our brainiest. I’m so proud of her - soon to have a doctorate in Chemistry and then off to conquer the world. I’m so grateful that Paige, and her amazing wife, Lillian, will be a huge part of our special day.
Tyler Gardoski
Bridesman
I would love for you to meet my dear friend and bridesman, Tyler William Gardoski. Tyler was one of the very first friends I made when I arrived at UNC Greensboro. Tyler has this incredible ability to make everyone feel special and seen, so he was the perfect friend to make as a brand new college Freshman. When I think about my time at UNCG my fondest memories are the ones involving Tyler - movie nights, sleep overs, bar nights, and countless cafeteria meals. Our birthdays are only 2 days apart, so we celebrated our birthdays together and have continued this tradition most years since graduating. Very early in my relationship with Erik, Tyler made a trip to Charlotte to hang out with me and Erik. I trust Tyler’s judgment so much and needed to make sure he agreed that Erik was a definite keeper - and obviously, Tyler agreed! He is one of those “once in lifetime” kinda friendships. No matter where our lives take us, I know we will always be connected. I am so happy to have him along with me on this journey and so excited he’ll be a part of our special day.
Emma Rose Lowder
Bridesmaid
Do you have a friend who you have known your entire life? I do, and her name is Emma Rose Lowder, my childhood best friend and bridesmaid. I was eight months old when Emma Rose was born, and we spent our early years with just one house between us. She was three days old at our first meeting - and if it’s possible, we hit it off from that first day. As we grew and became a bit more mobile in our adventures, we wore a path in the front lawn of our wonderful neighbors, Mr. Ted and Ms. Betty. When I think back on my earliest childhood memories, Emma Rose is pretty much in every single one of them. We rode tricycles, enjoyed the front yard kiddie pool in Amy and Peter’s front yard (with and without our swimsuits - but we were only 3), but most of all, when we were just a bit older, we spent hours in my fabulous pink Barbie jeep. My parents were so concerned that Emma Rose would suffer permanent neck injury from my abrupt braking style - but we had so much fun. Pretty sure these early experiences are to thank for my life-long love of all things Barbie… and pink. From learning how to walk to applying to college to planning for my wedding day, Emma Rose has been a part of it all - and I am so, so grateful.
Oakley
Dog
When I picture my wedding day, I could not imagine it without these five incredible people standing next to me …but there is one more “person”, while not in the wedding, who will be there in spirit. You guessed it, my first love, Oakley! Oakley and I have been together since August 11, 2019. A few fun facts about Oakley: 1. They say a parent should not have a favorite child, but Oakley will always be my favorite. 2. He loves all people, except for any people under the age of 10 - 12. 3. He is part water dog who hates water. 4. He nearly earned an honorary degree from UNC Greensboro since he “attended” Zoom classes throughout the Covid years. 5. I am his anxiety human and he is my anxiety dog but we believe our codependency is perfectly healthy.