Maid of Honor
We've been friends ever since even BEFORE pre-school, and Tracy's been my best and oldest friend. We first became friends when her sister was in a piano class that my mom was teaching at a community center. Our moms figured we were around the same age and that's how we first became friends. Growing up, we were like two peas in a pod, and our mothers helped in raising us (her mom would babysit me and my mom was her piano teacher). We went to preschool together, and before middle school, my family moved into the house next to her. We ended up going to the same high school, and we would go over to each other's places to study (or more like Tracy napping when she would come over). Though we are so different, she is always there for me and I know I can always go to her for anything. Tracy is the sister I never had.
Best Man
Matt and I have been friends since high school, where we bonded over video games and similar tastes in music. Eventually, we would end up playing in a ska band (with a strong metal influence) and share many experiences that we remember to this day. Some of my fondest memories come from times spent jamming, gaming, or hanging out with Matt. For as long as we have been friends, he has had my back. Whether it was showing up to my music recitals in college, or encouraging me through some of the harder times, Matt was there to support me. I consider him one of my best friends, and I am happy to have him at my side.
Bridesmaid
Ashley and I first met in high school when we were assigned to room together at an APU Preview weekend. We quickly learned that we're both in the arts - visual and performing art! When I made the decision to go to APU, I reached out to see if she was too and we agreed to become roomies. We ended up rooming together our freshman and junior years. Ash has become one of my closest friends, whether it was staying up late to chat or doing a late snack run, and has supported me in everything. It's also so fun to see the parallels between our mediums of art. She works at the American Museum of Ceramic Art and is married to Jake Rowley, and they have a fun-loving son, Bohdan!
Groomsman
Tim and I met when we were younger, on family camping trips. We grew to become close friends when our moms started having us hang out when we were teenagers. Much of the hobbies I enjoy today were shaped by things Tim showed me, such as my interest in video games, comics, movies, and some bands/genres of music. Being a little older than me, I consider Tim to be like an older brother in a lot of ways. I had the pleasure of being a groomsman in Tim's wedding, and it will be my pleasure to have him as a groomsman in my wedding.
Bridesmaid
Gabriella and I met during grad school at BoCo. (Actually, I started at BoCo the year before her, with her now-husband, Travis.) We were friendly in the beginning and learned that we're both believers in Christ, which seemed very rare to find for the both of us. She became one of my closest friends at BoCo, and through our two years together in Boston, we were able to keep each other grounded amidst all the busyness of Boston life. I got to stand by her side at her wedding and I'm excited to have her by my side! She's also a new mama to baby girl, Vivian.
Groomsman
Nathan was one of my college roommates, and it turned into what would be the greatest living situation at APU. No matter how stressful school would get, I would always look forward spending time with the four friends I lived with that year. Nathan and I were part of the equipment crew for one of the performance groups at school and, when the end of the year came, we were tasked with driving the equipment truck across the country for a tour to the South. We drove for almost three days, while listening to our favorite metal bands, and developed a long-lasting friendship in the process.
Bridesmaid
Amy and I were hallmates during our freshman year at APU. We quickly bonded over being from the Bay Area - she's from South SF and I have family from SF and am from SJ. I was actually initially wanting to meet her roommate after my parents met her roommate's mom, but Amy was the one who opened the door when I first went over! We quickly became close friends and we were also able to bond over music as well. She has such a sweet personality and has been so supportive of me; I'm so grateful for our friendship through the years. She is a nurse in PDX and works with kiddos in pediatrics!
Groomsman
I first met Paul in the practice rooms of APU, where he and his fellow piano majors would spend countless hours practicing. Some of my fondest practice room memories are of Paul randomly showing up at my practice room to make faces at me or show me a funny video. The summer after my first year of APU, Paul and I went on a study abroad to Ireland where we had many adventures. Eventually, in my third year at APU we would be roommates (with Nathan). Paul is a great friend who I also have the pleasure of calling a "co-worker," as we are both full-time musicians.
Bridesmaid
Lila and I met when she transferred to APU my junior year. We had a close group of low-string players (violists and cellists), which, for me, was an impactful circle of friends throughout my last two years of college. We were able to stay close after I moved to Boston, and she claims she convinced me to move back to LA (though she's now in Nashville). As a musician, she was so great at getting me connected back to the LA music scene when I moved, and every time we gigged together was a blast. And crazy God story(!): Lila was adopted from an orphanage in China and it just so happens that this particular orphanage was founded by a distant relative/close family friend of my mother's!...Who knew that one day we would meet in college and now become lifelong friends.
Groomsman
Mark and I met playing in a folk band towards the end of my time at UCLA. We clicked pretty fast because both of us are pretty goofy and would get a little obnoxious at band practices. I later discovered he was an avid gamer, so naturally we started playing both video games and board games together. Mark does a lot of covers of video game music for his YouTube channel and often has me play percussion with him in his videos. I'm thankful to have Mark as a friend, as we can share our passions for both video games and music.