Maid of Honor
I met Allie in the mid-1990's when she immediately gained the status of "Best Sister Ever". She's always looked out for me. Even from an early age, she'd alleviate my social anxiety by talking to any sort of stranger - asking a cashier for ketchup, sales associate for another size, or calling for a refund. She's also my all-time favorite pharmacist, and is always there to give a flu-shot or answer any medical questions. I'm lucky to have a supportive and smart big sis that I can talk to on the phone for hours on end, every-other-day.
Best Man
As young kids, Jake and I spent most of our time together, which usually meant playing some invented game until competition caused someone to get punched in the shoulder. People would tell us that we'd be best friends someday, but at that time we couldn't have believed it. At some point during high school though, we stopped fighting (as much) and started looking out for each other. Following in both my brothers foot steps by going to St. John's, I spent some of the most fun nights of college hanging out with Jake in Flynn Town and St. Joe. It was nice having an upper classman watching my back. From logging hours of knee hockey to traveling to both coasts together, he's a co-best man that I'm honored to have for the big day.
Bridesmaid
Christine aka "Tino" and I were a package deal all throughout high school; we couldn't go anywhere solo without people asking where the other one was. We've spent A LOT of collective time together between being on the same soccer teams, church classes, and choosing to spend any additional free-time together. Her family's house was like a second home to me and was always filled with an endless supply of chewy chips ahoy, movie nights, and laughter.
Best Man
If there's one person I can count on to make me laugh, it's my bro Tony. At ten years my senior, he's always been a cool older brother to me. I'm lucky he's been there to give me sage advice or tell a turtle joke in a funny British accent. As young kids, Jake and I used to play Tony 2v1 in knee-hockey for hours. Games would get intense once Jake and my combined skill rivaled Tony's, and he invented the "shot-to-prove" rule as a failsafe if we closed in on a win. He's inspired a competitive and comical spirit in me, and its fun to start to see that spirit coming through in his two kids, one of who I am the God-Father of.
Bridesmaid
This friendship was established in Mrs.Strowbridge's 2nd grade classroom; one of my first friends after moving to Andover. We also literally played on the same soccer teams, year-round, from 2002-2016 (elementary-college). I could not have asked for a better teammate and pal. Those years included many movie nights, cookie dough consumption, and decorating my room with her art. I'm in awe of her endless artistic creativity and she even took some of our engagement photos!
Groomsman
Sean and I were roommates for three years and co-workers for two summers during college. Oh-Yeah! We spent nearly everyday together for years. Sophomore year we hit the housing lottery and landed in the only suite on campus. Living together, our dorms were spotless, our fridge stocked with Carrie's cookies, and our routines were highly balanced. We once squeezed 35 people into our dorm before a night on the town (and didn't get caught). Sean's up for anything and we like that about him.
Bridesmaid
I met Hailey in middle school, where we quickly clicked and have endless memories of antics including school-day physical challenges, band class bonding, and making t-shirts for midnight Harry Potter movie premiers. I swear we were cool... Currently, her and mike are tied for title as Mario Kart victor, a heated competition I don't see ending any time soon.
Groomsman
Curt and I have been great friends since freshman year of high school. We had wood shop together and played on the same hockey team. As the years went on, we always visited each others college campus each year for big events like Tommy Johnnie and Duluth's Spring Jam. I once chipped my front tooth in his college apartment (alcohol was involved but not how you would imagine). Curt is extremely tactful and always there when you need him. He's been voted most likely to be running all our companies in ten years, so bring your business cards.
Bridesmaid
Kelly is the pun queen, dancing machine, and she’s got the spirit! Her and I officially met on freshman move-in day at St.Ben’s, as we were paired up as random roommates. We showed up wearing matching tie dye shirts and we knew it was a match made in heaven. She's been me and Mike’s relationship witness from the very first day! <3 I can always count on her to celebrate the big things (half-birthdays), the little things (happy Presidents’ Day cards), and everything in-between.
Groomsman
Known by our roommates from college as "Grandpa" for his advanced years and proclivity for ER visits, Richie is the groomsman most up for adventure. During college, he could often be found scaling campus buildings and now he spends his time working on a cattle ranch. A bit of a recluse, it can sometimes be difficult to track him down, but the search won't disappoint. If you get a chance to meet him, ask him to pop out his teeth.
Bridesmaid
Heather was the goalie on my college soccer team (Go Blazers!) and roommate junior and senior year. We share a special bond, probably stemmed from her desire for shenanigans, treats, and choreographed dances. She's a soon-to-be doctor, so feel free to ask her about your rash so she can continue to practice.
Groomsman
You can always count on Ross "Taco" to be there for you in a fight. Taco and I played on the blue team together in Mite Hockey twenty years ago, and reconnected during freshman orientation at St. John's. He's the social butterfly of the group, but he's also the most sensitive so be careful what you say. It's alleged that Ross carried T-hans and Grandpa through a math degree, so for that we thank him.
Bridesmaid
Monica is Mike's oldest sister and close advisor. As the built-in-babysitter of the family, Mike spent a lot of time under her supervision and as a result, the two are very close. She's also the informational center of the family, so I can always count on her to provide all the answers to my questions that Mike doesn't tell me. She's also the undisputed baking champion of the family, and has been known to bribe us with cookies in exchange for babysitting. We love spending time with her and Nate, and of course all the Smith girls.
Groomsman
Taylor Hanson, pronounced "Hansonnnn", more commonly known as "T-Hans" is by far the best air traffic controller in this wedding party. He is a man of quiet demeanor, and profound decisiveness. He's great at getting the best out of people. I look back fondly at our early morning work outs before class, starting the days right with a lift and solid breakfast. T-Hans is extremely diligent and dependable. Get a few drinks in him, though, and he might put on some lederhosen and throw fish at your front porch.
Bridesmaid
As far as Rawlings siblings go, Nicole is the fun-loving, creative, free-spirit and by default; the entertainer of the family. She's overflowing with energy and good ideas and I'm so happy to have her be a part of our wedding day. (Nicole was the artist who developed all of our invites/stationery). I'll always remember her wedding day, when she whipped out her signature dance move during a high-tempo techno song. I can only hope that she'll grace us with another glimpse of that move at ours.
Groomsman
John was my first best friend in grade school and has always had my back. In Preschool, we immediately bonded over our superior running speed compared to other kids in our class. We grew up playing sports at all ages together, eventually captaining our high school soccer and lacrosse teams. We've spent countless hours hanging out and getting into trouble. John recently introduced me to the joys (and frustrations) of hunting during turkey and deer seasons.
aweee
Natalie Smith (age 5), Mila Rawlings (3), Melania Smith (3), Tess Rawlings (1.5) & Shannon Smith (1) Christian Block (1)
Josh Carlson and John Filipovich