Wedding Party

Leona Yamada

Sister of Groom

I have fond childhood memories with Leona growing up playing on the Nintendo, taking family trips to Japan, helping her on her math homework, and being in awe at how she's able to win tickets off radio contests. Trying out a new place in Seattle? She has been there, done that, ask for her review. Her love for travel takes her and Quentin all over the world trying out the best food and sights. When they are not teaching Luna, their Australian labradoodle, how to do addition, subtraction, and multiplication, they are catching up on their favorite reality TV shows. As her big brother, I'm so proud of her amazing accomplishments and how her kindness is infectious. Make sure to like, follow, and subscribe to her life's journey.

Colin Lerner

Little brother #1 of Bride

Colin and I share a love for adventure and traveling the world. We're both passionate about forging our own paths and making a difference. I’m incredibly impressed by his dedication to his special education students and can’t wait to see the impact he’ll continue to have on others. I even lent him my car (the most perfect seafoam green 2006 Corolla) when he went off to college—because that’s how much I believe in him. Plus, he’s the BEST trivia partner—especially when it comes to history, NY sports, and Lord of the Rings!

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Cody Lerner

Little brother #2 of Bride

Cody and I shared a bedroom for most of our childhood, and you could always spot him dressed as Baby Spice in my music videos or telling me stories about his favorite Star Wars characters. He also knew I was scared of sharks, so during Shark Week, he’d hang up great white pictures in our room just to scare me. When I’d come home from college, he’d pretend to be sick so I could pick him up early from school—just to grab Subway and catch a matinee movie. (Mom never knew!) The fun never stopped, and we love to keep it that way.

DSc. Georgina Rayner

Officiant

Not only does George have the coolest job around—as a conservation scientist at the Harvard Art Museum—but she’s also the coolest person around. I’ve never met anyone who shares my love for fun patterned clothes like she does! I cherish the nights we stayed up, drinking wine and crafting, only for Ant to find us later, covered in paper and glitter glue. She also sends the best homemade holiday cards, which we keep forever. When my family found out she liked flamingos, they sent her a singing flamingo for Christmas, which I really appreciate still guards her Christmas tree all these years later. George, Ant, and their son Ellis add so much to our lives. My family and I love you.

DSc. Anthony Grice

Officiant

It all started 10 years ago when a new coworker asked for a ride from Cambridge to Jordi Labs. Traveling 3 hours a day for a decade forges quite a friendship. Ant and I talked about everything, then I met his wife George, and we all became fast friends. Now we are family. He’s the funniest person I know (even if I’ve heard all his jokes a million times). My favorite is when he sings the Jurassic Park theme song every time a turkey walks by. Ant is an honorary BC Eagle, a Lerner, and we still work together to this day. Ask Ant anything about music, and he’ll know it—every album title, B-side, release year, you name it. But don’t ask him where his wallet is, because he’s probably already lost it.

Victoria Sinyak

Friend of Groom

I hope everyone finds a best friend like Tori: Someone who will always have your back no matter what. We will always have that chat about the time COVID ruined our chance to travel to Japan in year 2020 to see the cherry blossoms. But we will also talk about the many times we hung out during COVID raising together Tori's puppy Max through his teething and poop-eating phases. When we are not walking Max, we are typically cooking a new recipe together, checking out a new restaurant, or getting foot massages at the local spa. When she is not hanging out with us, she is climbing mountain walls or ice-walls with John all over the Northeast.

Bridget Sweeney

Friend of Bride

Horsegirl friendships are forever. You dedicate your life to loving, caring for and growing with horses...and through that a sisterhood is formed. You find solid ground with those people, as it takes endless amounts of dedication and commitment. Bridget is that to me, in so many ways. When I was trying to pay for grad school, Bridget helped me create a budget and met with me every month. When I am feeling off or my anxiety rears, she helps me find reality. Bridget's entire family has taken me in, gives the best hugs, makes the best jokes and when I met Takao they included him too. Bridget pushes me and seeing her build her life in Idaho is one of the great inspirations of mine. I may not be riding horses right now, but I get to live my horsegirl dreams through Bridget and Nicole and have made lifelong best friends through it all.

Julie Chan

Friend of Groom

Little did I know that when Julie broke up with her ex-boyfriend, that I would be pulled into her close circle of friends who love to eat, drink, and travel. Julie and Matt have the ability to bring people together for great food and entertainment. So much so that they are able to convince some of us to move apartments closer to them! We call ourselves the "Patio Picnic Pack" and we meet up two or three times a week to go over our next Airbnb rental and activities to plan. Julie and I like to geek out over games, Disney, comics, and Costco. Do you want to know where Kaitlin and Takao are traveling to next? Just ask Julie; she probably helped plan it.

Madeline Thoms

Friend of Bride

People often think we’re related—not just because we look alike, but because I even share a name with her older sister. We may not be family by blood, but Maddie and I are sisters in every other way! I feel like a Green-Novicki cousin at this point as her family has welcomed me with open arms. We met freshman year at Boston College in Gonzaga dorm, and quickly became inseparable. At the time, I was struggling to adjust to being away from home, but Maddie made BC feel like home. She helped me with my academics, taught me how to dance with abandon, and has always loved me for who I am. Fifteen years later, nothing has changed. Maddie continues to champion my career, we still dance like no one’s watching to Taylor Swift, and she loves me for me. She teaches me to be brave, to trust my gut and be myself no matter what. I can't wait for us to teach baby Vera about sisterhood and being authentically YOU.

Anastacia Martin

Friend of Groom

My best friend from childhood since 6th grade when Ana (pronounced Ah-nah) moved to Redmond. We easily connected over our shared love of games, Disney, and everything Japanese. If you try to play a game against her you will find yourself outwitted and outplayed. I introduced Tim to Ana during high school and since then they have become the most amazing couple that love to geek out at Renaissance fairs, Lord of the Rings, and Harry Potter. During grade school we would half-jokingly say to each other that someday we would travel to Japan together so I can show her all the amazing places to see and food to eat. That dream actually happened when we met up in Rome and flew to Tokyo/Kyoto during Spring 2023. We perfectly timed the cherry blossom season and we dressed up in kimono and ate way too much food. Now Ana can be your tour guide to Japan!

Stephanie Saltzman

Friend of Bride

You can always count on Steph. She is the rock, a person who holds your heart and genuinely always wants the best for you. A hug from Steph is truly healing. She has guided me through heartache, true joy, and everything in between. Steph and I met in 2006 and have been making memories ever since. The Saltzmans healed me when I was sick, changed my car tire when it blew, and makes me feel like one of their own. From Red Bull vodka frappes and New England fairs to summers in York, she is my avid adventure partner. My life has been shaped by knowing Steph, my heart is always happy when I am around her and our friendship is a constant source of warmth, joy and comfort. The Saltzmans put the biggest smile on everyone's face and being with them all these years has made me feel so special.

Olga Cuevas Gomez

Friend of Groom

My best friend during BU undergrad, and roommates after college. I would visit Olga and her roommate Katie weekly during undergrad when we lived 3 minutes from each other. You can always find Olga under blankets napping within 10 minutes of the movie starting. We have fond memories of cooking together, watching Game of Thrones, and making up our own Olympic games at Devin's family house in Maine. Olga and her family is the life of the party and you never want to miss out on their shenanigans. Kaitlin and I try to meet up with Olga and Devin yearly during Thanksgiving weekend in Manhattan and we secretly scheme to get Katie to move back to the Northeast.

Nicole DellaRocco

Friend of Bride

Nicole and I met on the Boston College equestrian team (go BCET!) and lived in the same dorm. She quickly got to know the fast-talking New Yorker who had a knack for falling asleep in the car to and from the barn (that’s me!). Luckily, Nicole has the best sense of humor, warmest spirit and is genuinely one of the kindest humans on earth. She made me feel seen, and we bonded deeply over our love for horses, guinea pigs, cats, snacks, really everything. Her humor is infectious and always brightens any bad day. Nicole has been my partner in crime through life, including living together and raising two cats! One of my favorite weekends of the year and our annual tradition is Equine Affair, where we dive into everything equestrian and live out our dreams. Horsegirls for life. Best friends for life.

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Samantha Howard

Friend of Bride

Sam and I met at Jordi Labs, where our shared passions for chemistry, books, iced coffee, and Taylor Swift brought us together. When she joined the lab as a chemist, I asked for her help booking Bruins hockey tickets for my family—Sam loves the Bruins—and that was the start of something special. I immediately saw her spark and knew I had to have her on my Project Management team. Watching her grow both professionally and personally has been a joy, and we’ve shared so many life-changing moments along the way. Sam is fearless, and a true champion for her friends. Sam is that person you can text whether its 5 am or midnight, because you really need her advice. She just cares and is willing to listen to everything you have to say. I’m beyond excited to meet her daughter, my future niece!, and share this next chapter with her!

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Kate Racette

Friend of Bride

I met Kate through Bridget shortly after college, and we hit it off immediately. Instant best friends. That is because Kate is magical. She knows exactly what to say, how to help, and is your greatest confidant. There’s no one I’d rather go to Fenway with, wake up at 5 a.m. to spot animals in Yellowstone, or listen to Harry Potter audiobooks with on all our drives. Kate is the reason I started listening to Taylor Swift, reading Harry Potter, and felt comfortable discussing life’s tough moments. She helps me process my feelings and brings comfort and joy into my life. We’re like two otters (her favorite animal) floating and holding hands through life. Being an Auntie to her son, sweet Kelley Belly, makes my heart soar, and I am so lucky to have her in my life.

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Leslie Arapi

Friend of Bride

It’s the 1990s in Baldwin, NY, and I’m in middle school science class when I meet Leslie Arapi—and the rest is history! We’ve been through every phase of life together, and I don’t know where I’d be without her. Leslie is a foundational support, knowing me inside and out. She is literally like the characters of Inside Out in my head, she knows exactly what to say, how to help me heal and when to just sit there with me. She can read my face, my body language...I think she can read my thoughts. That is because having a friend of 20+ years with countless shared experiences forges a mental bond and a forever friendship. She feels like home—asking the hard questions, lifting me up, providing wise advice, and reading me like a book. I’m her Mcbffer and always will be.