Wedding Party
Matthew Sullivan
Best Man
Matthew is one of my oldest friends, and my best friend. His Dad was my first ever baseball coach for the Dr. Phillips Little League Rivercats. I showed up to my first baseball practice with white Air Force Ones and Jorts. He still befriended me. For most of my childhood I batted after Matthew, who was always #8, so naturally I was #9. I consider him and his family my second family, as they often took me in when my parents abandoned me for international trips. As we grew up we became gym buddies, and beer drinking buddies. He continually challenges me in both of those things. Matthew falls in seamlessly with all of my friends, old and new. It is an honor to have him as my best man.
John Kelly
Groomsman
John was my first real friend that I made at West Point. I met him during volleyball tryouts. He invited me to stay with him and his friends for Army Navy 2015, and the rest is pretty much history. John had a house about 30 minutes away from West Point, where I hold only fond memories of basement parties and snow days. When I needed a home cooked meal, a place to get away, or a Mom hug, John extended his home to me and many others. He taught me how to tap a keg, the proper ratio for a captain and coke, and how to parallel park. He is always the first guy to buy you a beer at a bar, and the last guy to leave a party. He is the brutally honest friend you need. From Berlin, to Nash Vegas, Skip Kelly is my Boogie partner for life.
Will Derrick
Groomsman
Will and I were in the same company at West Point. Our friendship had a rocky start, with a joke that didn't land. But we sure have recovered. Will and John went to prep school together (because they are idiots), and we immediately hit it off during Army Navy 2015. We became roommates the next semester and remained roommates for the rest of our four years together. We were Econ majors together, and spent many late nights studying, inspired by silly antics and snacks. We lived together during flight school where Will truly taught me about the finer things in life. How to season a cast iron pan, the symphony of crunch on a fresh loaf of bread, and highly leveraged stock options. There is a good chance we will not make the wedding as he is deployed in Europe, but his electric dance moves will surely be missed.
Grayson Naquin
Groomsman
Grayson, Goop, Goopaloop, Mr. Doodies. A man of many names. We were in the same company at West Point but our friendship really took off when Grayson, Will, and Gene were my flight school roommates. Truly the goofiest person I have ever met. A man that can create a moment of fun in any scenario, and make you laugh more than you thought you could. This guy could strike up a conversation with a brick wall. Together we have went days undefeated in beer die, spent hours slingin' the disc at 122 Flatrock, and accidently finishing a pack or two of white claws in a neck and neck all day corn hole battle. We have spent hours talking about life by the pool, and hours studying aircraft knowledge together. When you need someone to be there for you, believe in you, or get drunk as hell on Easter, he is your man. It is hard to have a bad time around this guy, and can't wait to have him with all of us on our big day.
Corry Short
Groomsman
Corry is my oldest friend. We met in Ms. Goldens First Grade Class at Bay Meadows Elementary. We were certain we were going to the NBA, and I remember calling his house phone to coordinate matching Tracy McGrady jerseys. He is the only friend I have ever had a secret handshake with, and we still got it, almost twenty years later. Despite Corry's family moving to Ft. Lauderdale when we were only ten years old, we continually found a way to see one another, and stay best friends. We spend countless nights playing Viva Piñata, Mario Party, and Super Smash Bros. He is someone I can not talk to for a few months, and then pick up like we never left off. He in continually an inspiration to me as a young professional, volleyball player, and as a man. Not to mention he is absolute dynamite on the dance floor.
Jack Carnevale
Groomsman
Jack and I have known each other since middle school but our friendship took off in high school. We took many of the same classes, and shared similar opinions on our lives and career paths. Together we spent many hours studying flash cards and crushing chipotle bowls after our SAT tutor sessions (ask him how that turned out, he went to some small school in North Carolina you’ve probably never heard of). Most importantly, we are perhaps the most dominant Spikeball team known to man. Jack is always the first person to extend a helping hand, and the first person to fire off a thank you note. Jack once believed in me with a $50 Venmo that absolutely propelled me on a gambling hot streak in Jersey City. Truly a humbling friend to be around, hoping someday he might hire me as his coffee boy if this whole Army thing doesn’t play out for me.
Michael Gulczynski
Groomsman
Michael Goldensky. I met Michael during Mass Athletics Volleyball during my first Summer at West Point. He was extremely mean and angry. But I loved him anyway. Mike took me under his wing and taught me how to play outside hitter. We spent the next four years growing closer through volleyball tournaments, deep discussions about life, and drunk Campus Deli's eats. Our senior year at West Point we were even National Champions (runner up)! Mike is one of the most thoughtful people I have ever met, and will challenge your intellect through fruitful debate and insults. He is an absolute lethal Jeopardy player, international savant, and devilishly handsome. We still have aspirations to be on a beach volleyball team and live out the glory days together.
Patrick Furlong
Groomsman
Patty LongFur. Patrick was a sophomore on the volleyball team at West Point when John, Mike, and I were freshman. He immediately became the absolute loser that hung out with freshmen on the team. We spent several years rooming together on volleyball trips all around the country. The three of us were Patrick's first salute after he commissioned into the Army, and he traveled back one year later to commission the three of us in an unforgettable ceremony. When I was in SERE school, Patrick texted my Mom and Sam with updates, ensuring that I was okay, and even sent both of them flowers, from me. He picked up Will and I from SERE school, accompanied by three dozen donuts. He is someone I looked up to as a cadet and now look up as an officer and aviator in the Army.
Xavier Vecchio
Groomsman
Etch. We too met on the 2015 Army Navy trip and have grown closer every year since. X taught me how to tie a sailors knot, introduced me to the highs and lows of sports gambling, and showed me how to truly listen when someone talks to you. When I was at Ft. Rucker he was at Eglin AFB in Destin Florida. We spent many weekends fishing, drinking, and talking about the future bar that we are going to open. Everyone who knows X, knows he does nothing fast. I think this is because he is present in every moment and really enjoys the small things in life. He is the most hospitable person I know, and will go above and beyond to make any guest feel welcome and comfortable around him. He is also the most generous "tipper" I know. He will unfortunately be deployed during the wedding and will not be able to attend. Even more unfortunately his plus one (Alexa) is still going to be there.
Gene Thagard
Groomsman
Bean Yogurt. Gene and I became friends at West Point and got extremely close during our time together at flight school. Those of you that know Gene knows that he is a chronic stressor. I think this is mainly because he is very passionate and cares deeply about all that he does. Whether that is his world famous Risotto, or a game of Catan, Gene is bound to pull some hair out. Eugene is as selfless and it gets and always a joy to be around. He is smooth as can be on the dance floor with his swing dancing moves and an absolute trivia assassin. He will not make the wedding as he will be deployed doing some great things for us. Maybe him and Etch can get together and slow dance together overseas, we know they would be doing that together if they could attend anyway.
Micah Boshears
Maid of Honor
My Maid of Honor has watched me grow up, argued with me when I wanted to steal her cute clothes in middle school, shared her home with me when my fiance was deployed, and loved me for my whole life. Having my big sister as my Maid of Honor was a no-brainer, to say the least. Our mother always tells a story about us growing up that will always stick with me. Micah was just a wee toddler, helping brush my hair as a baby, when she looks over at my mom and says "If anything ever happens to you mom, I will always take care of Sam". And just like that, I cried. I feel so blessed to have my two soul mates by my side on my wedding day.
Gianna Fischetti
Bridesmaid
Gianna is one of my oldest and best friends. We first met at a Tiny Mights cheerleading practice when were 6 and we have been cheering each other through life ever since. If you know G, you know that she has one of the biggest hearts and equally large family. Her family always treated me like one of their own, taking us to daily soccer practices/weekend tournaments or beach trips at the condo. As we grew up, we remained close, even though we couldn't always say the same about proximity. People talk of those friends that you don't get to see every week but when you do it feels like no time has passed. G has helped me understand the meaning of this and I feel so lucky to have her in my life all these freaking years. I won't be able to look her in the eyes on my wedding day but she knows why, I don't make the rules!
Alexa Reisig
Bridesmaid
Oh my Lexi Lou. Lex and I's friendship really took off when we found out we were both headed to the Gainesville together to pursue our piano careers (hehe). In all seriousness, Lex has been a light in my life since the moment we said goodbye to our parents freshman year and fell right into step together. From late night college shenanigans that always ended in Taco Bell, to the belly laughs that we continue to share over FaceTime, our memories together could last a lifetime. I would live with her again any day, but I guess it's time I live with a smelly boy. Speaking of smelly boys, I love her teasing relationship with my soon-to-be-husband. It has always been ironic to me because you have always reminded me of each other. You both are always so authentically you and I love you for it.
Sydney Houde
Bridesmaid
Syd is easily one of the funniest people I know. Whether we are in the same state or not, she has effortlessly kept P and I laughing over the years. Syd and I first met in Middle School and I soon realized that Syd has that ability to make any situation fun. This showed as we grew up and went to different colleges - Syd would host our group of friends without hesitation in Tallahassee for much-needed weekends of laughter. I will say, I have had a few years to imagine what our wedding day will be like and I can't imagine it without seeing Syd boogieing on the dance floor. Can't wait to dance all wedding weekend with my Syd, take notes people.
Leila Hafizbegovic
Bridesmaid
There is no one like my Leila. She is one of the most infectiously outgoing and thoughtful people I know. Did I mention she has a plan for everything? There has been many a times that I have thought I should've hired her as our wedding planner, but then I think about her face when I show her my wedding weekend itinerary and it is all worth it. Leila was my roommate and workout buddy for 3 amazing years in college, always challenging me to be a better version of myself. I am continuously inspired by her work ethic and kindness to those she loves. I feel lucky to be surrounded by those qualities, on my wedding day and beyond.
Emmie Rome
Bridesmaid
My Emilia. Emmie and I grew close as college roommates, as she became my sounding board and companion in an apartment full of crazies. I found an old soul that matches mine, in an unspoken connection that Emmie and I have always shared. Whether it be swimming together in an ocean or catching each other's gaze when our besties were being dramatic, Em just gets me. Em has taught me to be spontaneously true to myself and for that I am grateful.