Wedding Party
Lindsey
Maid of Honor
Lindsey is Rachel's sister and nocturnal twin. They used to pretend they were conjoined twins at the hand. Whenever they had to go to school or anywhere else separately from each other they could release their hands, but they would always be connected by an invisible string between their palms. Since leaving home, Rachel and Lindsey got to spend two years living in Madison together while they were working for Epic and always had fun. Lindsey also got to visit Rachel in the Netherlands, meet up for travel in Prague an Copenhagen, and go camping together in Utah (although its unclear if she really came to Utah for Rachel or for John). You are brightest star in my cartoon.
Donald
Best Man
At the age of two, Donald wrestled the great Bull of Portland (Maine, obviously, not Oregon) and took him for his steed. When he was four, he stole the forbidden milk from Apollo's herd and feasted with his family on heavenly butter for seven days and nights. His real triumphs began when he was randomly assigned to be Tom's roommate at Brown University, kicking off 7 years of a roommatehood characterized by inane competitions, even more inane conversations, and, occasionally, moments of honest friendship that shaped the person Tom is today.
Maggie
Maid of Honor
Rachel and Maggie share a love of travel, the outdoors, and animals. They are having the most fun when screaming Lion King songs in the car, stalking lemurs in Madagascar, or scheming and gossiping together late at night. Rachel and Tom loved having Maggie over every night in Salt Lake, eating so much food and playing games together. They also had a lot of fun decorating Maggie’s apartment. Tom’s biggest regret is that Hannah is not yet his best friend. Mountain Chicken Forever.
Brad
Best Man
A wandering vagabond, of a similar kind to young Tom, the child known as Brad arrived one fateful day in 3rd grade, beleaguered but bright-eyed, at the rolling hills and babbling strip-malls of Arlington, VA where he became fast friends with a crew that has persisted to this day. It was 100% because they could see how kind, loyal, and smart he was; definitely not because one of the moms told them they had to be friends with the new kid. Coerced or not, Brad and Tom's friendship grew into brotherhood, spanning formative mishaps, years and countries apart, the worst losses, and the happiest moments. Brad has always been the person that pushed Tom to be better, helped him when he wasn't, and sometimes just hung out.
Madeline
Bridesmaid
Actually, none of you guests exist because what you didn't know is that Rachel is merely a component of Madeline's Madison matrix. Rachel and Madeline spent 2 years in Madison being absolutely ridiculous and speaking only in quotes from the Lord of the Rings Honest Trailer video. When Madeline moved to Boston and Rachel to the Netherlands, a lot of the shenanigans ceased but the silliness and support never did, they spoke on the phone frequently and visited each other often. During the pandemic, Rachel has especially treasured their brief but frequent chats.
Henry
Groomsman
Let me tell you a story. A story of a scrappy group of young cricketeers with second-hand wickets and a whole lot of heart. They never actually won a match or anything but just imagine how sad it would be if the Arlington Cricketeers never existed! Point to the esteemed Sir Henry, architect of the cricket fad, the tennis phase, and that weird summer we watched King of the Hill while working out; if it's odd, active, and maybe just a little bit classy Henry is on the job. Over two decades of friendship has its perks and Henry is Tom's go-to for style, snark, and whatever Henry's current expertise may be.
Alexandra
Bridesmaid
Rachel and Alexandra will mark their 12th year of marriage just a few days after Rachel and Tom celebrate their wedding. From its humble beginning in the makeup aisle of Shopko, their friendship has transformed over the years but never dwindled. Alexandra also loves to joke about how Rachel barely knew her but still had a habit of falling asleep on her dorm room couch between classes in the first few weeks of college. Alexandra has also been especially diligent in befriending Tom and helped consult on the initial design of the engagement ring. Rachel, Tom, and Áfonya look forward to many more years of camping together with Alexandra and Angus.
Nick
Groomsman
Legend has it Nick Deak was born from the egg of a giant sea turtle who buried her eggs in the heart of a dying star. He emerged a hundred years later, lukewarm rum and coke in one hand, frozen kiwi in the other, to spread earnestness and occasional nuggets of wisdom across the cosmos. Nobody is mad. Certainly, Nicholas has never refuted this account of his childhood, so we'll never know for sure. We do know that ever since he showed up in Tom and Donald's freshman dorm room, a little confused but unabashedly sincere, he's been the best kind of bro; kind, loyal, and a bit ridiculous.
Yulia
Bridesmaid
It’s not easy making friends as an adult, but it’s this friendship that can put the nail on the coffin of any doubts that falling asleep on acquaintances’ couches is an excellent way to form lifelong bonds. Rachel and Yulia had a wonderful time exploring Helsinki together, primarily focused on barreling through all the public saunas the city had to offer (Sompa sauna was really an experience…), and also enjoying other aspects of Finnish culture and adventuring to other European cities together as well. Yulia had a strong impact on Rachel’s decision to give Tom a shot and also her starting a new business in Salt Lake, SLC Chow.
Jacob
Groomsman
Fade in. Two students stand on a college green, one directing the other. On both sides of the camera, true art is unfolding. Humanity applauds. Fade to black. Jacob's film career may have been sidetracked by becoming a doctor or whatever, (tragically upsetting Tom's burgeoning acting aspirations) but he remains a classy gent quick with both culture and quips. Perhaps the best illustration of Jacob's caring side is the last time Tom got sick when Jacob was around - before Tom could say, "I'm taking a nap" Jacob had him diagnosed, tucked in, and gave him a lollipop. The point is, whether your in an art gallery or ER, Jacob's got you covered.
Brecken
Bridesmaid
How do you react when your roommate’s best friend from high school spends literal hours in your dorm room knitting every evening even though your roommate isn’t even there? Thankfully Brecken was pretty graceful about it because that acquaintance launched a friendship critical to Rachel’s expat life. Until 2020, there was barely a month or two when one didn’t live abroad without the other. Brecken has seen and gotten hair rubs at every place Rachel’s lived since 2012. Together, Rachel and Brecken have visited Greece, France, Brussels, Spain, The Harry Potter Studio, Scotland, the Netherlands, Finland, Estonia, and almost Germany. Is someone even your friend if they don’t let you get lost in Bridge of Allan when you visit them at school?
Ben
Groomsman
Under stormy skies yin summer day, a laddie cried Ben wis born in th' far reaches o' th' East. A swashbuckler 'n' a gentleman, he wis rassling cattle 'n' wooing th' fair lasses o' Texas quicker than th' flick o' a field mouse's hooter. A few years efter, oor braw adventure fun his-sel in dubious company, associating wi' Tom 'n' thair between ye crew; 'twas a questionable decision fur th' southern cavalier bit a boon fur th' rest o' thaim wha gained a mukker steadfast as he is genteel. He's classy, he's nerdy, 'n' dinnae forgoat his maw mak's a mean blueberry pasty.
Andrea
Bridesmaid
It is pure fate that brought Andrea and Rachel together on orientation day of college. I don't want to say thank goodness Ashley's high school boyfriend dumped her the first night at school... but really we do have him to thank. When Rachel heard Andrea, clad in her Spongebob pajama pants and shoveling microwave Kraft into her mouth, talking about her fun group of friends from high school, compared to everyone else talking about sex and sneaking out, Rachel knew they'd be friends. And they did, going on to questionably name all of their dorm room furniture and annoy the crap out of their friends by printing the stupidest cup ever but then acting like it was this big huge secret. MY ROOMMATE.
Daniel
Groomsman
Ask not who Daniel is, ask who you are to question who Daniel is. But if you're still asking who Daniel is, then I suppose one answer is Tom's cousin. Beyond that, he's the cousin that's celebrated dozens of second-Christmases, participated in/endured a countless number of holiday plays, and eaten an incalculable weight of Japanese New Years food alongside Tom(my) since they were both little. Their latest adventure, a just-pre-Covid trek around Japan may have upped the stakes in the Japanese food category, but that won't prevent a couple of food comas next New Years! (Though hopefully Laura will be talked out of putting on another play...)
Mel
Bridesmaid
The best way to tell you about Mel is to tell you the story of Rachel’s first date. Shortly before the young gentleman was scheduled to collect Rachel from her dorm room, Mel knocked on the door holding a nerf gun. When Rachel’s date came, there was Mel sitting on the futon and pointedly cleaning her weapon. Mel has stayed with Rachel and Tom in Finland and in Salt Lake, and Tom and Rachel have stayed with Mel in MN, and so far Tom has no holes. I think she approves.
Tim
Groomsman
Annnnnnnd now, at 5 foot 11 (probably), he's big (sort of), he's bad (not really), he's TIIIIIIIIIIMMMMMOOOOOTTTHHHY. Putting the "brother" in "brother-in-law", Tim got off on the right foot by sending Tom and his dad Omaha steaks early on is relationship with Tom's sister, Laura. Since then, he's done even better (if possible), welcoming all of Laura's family into his own, loaning Tom and Rachel the same tool every other week, working on their house with them, and overall being the righteous dude who is always interested in what you have to say, is chill in the face of chaos, and does a half decent job of pretending not to be upset when Rachel's sister snakes a croquet win out from under him.
Charlotte
Flower Girl
Rachel and Charlotte first bonded at some rad pool hangouts at #RaviniaViewResortandSpa. Charlotte and Rachel both love hiking, chocolate oatmilk, the slide, and playing cards. Rachel is very excited to make lots of Chautauqua memories and share some favorite books with her in the upcoming years.
Matthew
Ring Bearer
Rachel and Tom have been absolutely the luckiest Aunt and Uncle to get so much time with Matthew in the last 2 years. They love babysitting, testing out new Chow recipes on him, taking him to gymnastics, and just watching him learn and grow. Rachel and Tom have already started adding some feminist literature to Matthew's extensive book collection and are excited to continue in the years to come.
Christina
Reader
Christina is the best teammate at work and in life. She and Rachel compliment each other perfectly and have fun while they’re at it. Raystina bakes, travels, and brings Beacon live in Finland like no other couple. Raystina can go from talking about Christ and religion in a hot tub, to semi-seriously considering taking a taxidermy mini course in London in a heartbeat. There is no gross potato bake, bulky thrift store chair, or bready vegan chocolate cake that they can’t overcome together. Vote Raystina for Future Co-IDs.
Laura
Reader
For some reason, Laura has been hanging around ever since Tom was born. His parents even insisted on feeding, housing, and loving her just as much as him. It was weird. But always one to make the best out of an odd situation, Tom soon realized his big sister was one cool person and decided to look up to her drive, smarts, and devotion to the people she loves. Travel buddy, co-conspirator, occasionally adversary, and always someone to rely on, Laura has always been a big part of Tom's life. Now, Tom and Rachel are lucky enough to live in the same city as Laura and her family. Laura has gotten to know them as a couple, become an integral part of their "village", and even earned the distinction of chief-engagement-consultant.
Sydney
Usher
It is so much fun when your family also gets to be your friend, and that's been the case for Rachel and Sydney. Rachel and Sydney shared a lot of things in common from the beginning, both the eldest, both red heads (although Sydney kept her red hair), and both born in May, all the fun superficial connections that can create a spark. Now, they love to hike together, travel, and compare vegan recipes, the things that can keep a friendship burning through many years.
Corie
Usher
Once, in days long past, Tom was known as Gohan Boy (Rice Boy). But like all great accomplishments, there came a day when that mantle needs must be passed on. And truly, there was no worthier successor than Corie: Gohan Girl. Seriously this kid put away some rice. Now known for mostly non-grain related achievements, Corie's artistic skills have been a big bonding point for her and Tom. Whenever he manages to finish a piece, Corie is Tom's first stop for critique (well, maybe after Rachel - but she's biased) and she's definitely going to design his and Rachel's house one day.