Catherine & Phillip
Wedding Party
Anna
Matron of Honor
She's known Catherine the longest, ever since she was born. How do you pick just a few things to write about your sister? Catherine is very happy to have her younger sister acting as her Matron of Honor. Catherine enjoys that she can always call Anna when she needs to talk, advice, or a walking buddy. They share a love for herbal tea, cozy blankets, puzzles, and board games. While Catherine may be loud, and Anna may be quiet, and Catherine may have tricked them both into thinking the Pocahontas doll was hers, they have always loved and supported each other. They share a love of inspiring good in others, leaving the world a better place, and books. Anna and Phil have bonded over board game nights, camp fires, and camping in the Adirondacks over the last 8 years. Anna has welcomed Phil into the Winters Clan. Catherine and Phil enjoy having strong ties to family in NY with Anna and Jim close by.
Allen
Best Man
Allen is truly one of the best people I know and he happens to my big, oldest brother lol. From always having my back to giving me an ear full if I was being a rebellious stupid teenage, he's always been there for me. From hosting Super Bowl parties back in the day (not that long ago), to Thanksgiving on the farm it's always a blast to see and hang out with my brother. One of my favorite past times is our Axis & Allies. It's the ultimate nerding out day with family and friends alike. We usually meet up at Charlie's house and bring a huge array or food, liquor and beer from our countries in the game. The gametakes an entire day to play and Allen is usually very loosey goosey by the end. I can't think of a more fun time hanging with my brother. Catherine wishes she could spend more time with Allen and his family, but she has enjoyed getting to know him over the past 9 years and appreciates the time they have spent together celebrating holidays, milestones, spending time with the kiddos, and bonding over boardgames.
Kevin
Groomsman
Kevin!!!! He is absolute awesomeness! Since we were little he has always been on my side and supporting me as my big brother. He's been there through the best and the worst times with me and I love him for it all the more. From staying with Kev, Katie and the boys on Thanksgiving each year and offering us a place to stay when we come down, paintballing for his bachelor party (I know he remembers that one), to playing PC games together, there are so many great memories I can't even write them all down. Catherine and Kevin have special bond as they both have birthdays in the best week of the year. ;) When Catherine and Phil travel to Delaware for family events, they stay with Kevin and Katie, which has allowed Catherine to get to know Kevin well. She enjoys their conversations about wellness, kids, and life. She is also grateful that playing video games together has helped them stay connected even from afar.
Rachel
Bridesmaid
Catherine and Rachel have been friends since they took skiing lessons together when Catherine was in (maybe) 5th grade. They were lucky to go to such a small school that they could establish a friendship even though they were three years apart. Rachel has become like a big sister to Catherine. Rachel visited Catherine when she lived in Oneonta for undergrad, Boston for an internship, and Delaware for grad school. They both love to host parties and hang out with friends. Together they created a monthly friends' night out tradition. When Catherine wanted to move back to the Capital District, Phil got a job that started almost a month before Catherine could leave NJ. Rachel amazingly opened her home to Phil, someone she'd only met a couple times at this point, and he lived with Rachel and Brian for about a month before Catherine moved to NY and they had an apartment. Rachel and Phil have been like two peas in a pod ever since. Rachel is family to both of us.
Paul
Groomsman
Phil met Paul through Catherine when we started dating in 2016. Paul and Chelsea lived close by in Delaware while Catherine was finishing her degree. Paul and Phil hit it off right away and become pretty good friends over the years. When we both moved to the Albany New York with our partners we became even closer friends. Paul is family to me, he's my brother from a different mother (^_^). From fishing, to watching movies, discussing life's everyday goings, or just simply hanging out and talking, Paul is one of the very best people I know. Catherine has many fond memories of chill hangout sessions with Paul, Chelsea, and the fur babies during their year together in Delaware. Paul is always down for quality conversation and his story telling style is the best. Catherine is so grateful to have Paul nearby and enjoys their regular Friday nights hangs and time with Paul and the kiddos.
Emily
Bridesmaid
Another long-time (read life-long) friendship. Catherine and Emily went to school together and grew very close in high school. Along with Nicole, they dubbed themselves LTA. While moving away to college put some literal distance between them, they never lost touch and started hanging out a lot as soon as Catherine moved back to the area in 2018. Since then, there have been lots of game nights, hang outs, and some hiking. Catherine is also happy to have one of her best friends at work now, too. Phil and Catherine often have Emily over to play games and love that they've established a New Year's tradition with her. Phil and Emily bonded over shared experiences (trauma?) working in pharmacies and their love of Star Wars. They also share a love of video games. Emily is also a key member of our DND campaigns. Our wedding party wouldn't be complete with out Emily.
Jim
Groomsman
Phil met Jim in June 2016 at Anna's graduation party from her Master's Program. He was a very quiet guy but seemed very nice at the time. I didn't get to know him very well until we were able to go visit Anna and Jim at their apartment in Norwood MA. We went to an escape room on steroids, a literal warehouse full of escape rooms. Jim was epically impressive with the mental and physical tasks and Phil had an absolute blast hanging with him. Since Anna and Jim moved back to New York, we've been able to hang out more and really bonded over gaming, board games, playing tennis and the outdoors. Jim is absolutely family to me. Jim has been part of Catherine's family longer than she's been partners with Phil. Intellectual and funny, Catherine always enjoys spending time with Jim. From family dinners to camping to couples boardgame sessions, time with Jim is always great.
Nicole
Bridesmaid
Did someone say photos? While Catherine and Nicole also went to school together, Catherine remembers their close friendship starting on a day where they hung out at Nikki's house, spray dyed their hair red and blue, and took like 100 photos. Then, Nicole introduced Catherine to Facebook and they uploaded an album of tons of photos from a single day like early Facebook users did. Nikki is one of the sweetest people and Catherine is so happy to have her geographically close again, as well. Phil met Nicole after she moved back to the Albany area. He enjoys her humor and how much their minds are often thinking in similar ways. He always looks forward to spending time with her and is happy she will be celebrating with us on our big day.
Brian
Groomsman
Phil met Brian in 2018 when starting a new job at NYOH in Albany. Brian and Rachel graciously agreed to let me stay with them while starting the new job and finding an apartment with Catherine. It was nothing short of a riot and a good time. Brian and I hit it off right away by way of gaming of every kind. Brian and I set our 'rigs' up in the upstairs office and had quite a few nights of late night gaming. Brian and I get hang out very often between hosting parties, attending parties over their house, getting to play PC games in between, and talking D&D or Path of Exile adventures. Catherine is glad Phil and Brian get along so well. She has known Brian possibly since she was in high school since he's been with Rachel for quite a long time. Brian is always good for a laugh at a party and it's great to talk nerdy topics with him.
Chelsea
Bridesmaid
Great minds think alike. Catherine and Chelsea bonded in their grad school research group over their similar learning styles. They share a love for the environment and enjoy discussing (water) science together. During grad school, they enjoyed many a themed party within their friend circle as well as cozy days in Chelsea and Paul's apartment. Chelsea and Paul moved to the Capital District while Catherine and Phil lived in NJ. Catherine is so happy they stayed and she has been able to continue to spend time with Chelsea. Phil and Chelsea are always able to share a laugh. Phil enjoyed helping Chelsea and Paul as the settled into their first house. Catherine and Phil are happy to call Chelsea, Paul, and their children our family. Catherine and Phil look forward to may more adventures and cozy days in with them all.