Hey Cutie!
Wedding Party
Sister
Matron of Honor
It might be strange for those who didn't grow up with a sister to understand what I'm about to say, but my sister Julie was the first love of my life. Being 2 1/2 yrs older, I always felt protective over my baby sister and for a while believed she was my living doll. Sharing everything growing up tethered us more than we even knew, and now as adults we have a style of communication that goes beyond words; it resembles more of a hilarious telepathic bond which to the outside world might appear quite abnormal. Growing up these unspoken moments often occurred in less than ideal settings for ex. church on Sunday when the entire church was silent or while we were in trouble by our parents and supposed to be quiet/remorseful (this was particularly unpopular). Even so, we would find ourselves curled up with stomach cramps unable to contain our laughter, annoying everyone around us. The moral here is sometimes life is too serious and sometimes, when you're with the right person, dumb shit is hilarious! Sister taught me this and continues to teach me that crying from laughing is the best medicine, abs aren't made in the kitchen but with humor, and that sometimes you pee in a grocery store from laughing so hard but it's okay because your sister brought an extra sweatshirt. My wise little sitter now protects me from the constraints of our plain and often upsetting/absurd world by reminding our inner child selves to lean into the laughter contagion for it brings goodness and true love!
Steph
Bridesmaid
Like most people, I found High School to be extremely confusing, spending every day at school feeling uncomfortable in my own body and mind. I remember stumbling around feeling like a string bean stranger in my own skin, having grown too tall for any of my clothes within one summer alone and not recognizing who I was in a mirror. While I had some friends, I was quite shy and wouldn't say a butterfly would describe me in a social setting. Volleyball was my only major interest and one day Steph, a new girl in school, approached me in the lunchroom to chat about tryouts. I remember talking to her amazed at her ease of conversation and confidence, wondering if she was always like that or if she was just having a really good day. We proceeded to spend almost all of our waking hours together in High School, sparking a long lasting friendship through college, post grad, and beyond! I realized early on that Steph is the kind of person you can't live your life without. Now, I sometimes wish we could go back to talking on the phone for hours, crying about high school melodramas, and singing country music at the tops of our lungs. Our trust in each other and our friendship got us through major highs and lows of our vulnerable years and continues to bring us support even now. 20 yrs later I conclude that yes, Steph is always this way, and I still find myself looking up to her with a smile, wondering how so much light can fit into one person.
Angel
Bridesmaid
Some things in life you can control and some things you just can't; for two people who pride themselves on being organized and orderly, a friendship born out of pure serendipity can only be explained by magic. I was living with roommates in Tucson at the University of Arizona when Steph informed us that she found a 4th roommate through ROTC. As broke college students we were thrilled and couldn't wait for Angel to move in! This was the start of our logistical roommateship, which was a slow burn into a fiery/fun relationship that centered on acceptance and support. I loved how random our connection was and yet how easy it was to trust and understand each other. We were essentially each others family counselors, relationship therapists and head massagers for a solid 4 years straight. We were the pillars we both needed when we both desperately wanted control of the unknown yet also just needed to let loose and have fun; you were a safe space for me to be myself in and I will forever be grateful for that. You have always been someone that I admire in my life, someone who has strong conviction and a loving tender heart. I am the kind of person who highly values intention in all of my relationships and tends to disassociate with anyone who feels to be disingenuous or ambiguous. Our relationship happened by chance, but has endured because of our honest intentions for one another; to me that is the security of feeling at home and all a couple of cute control freaks could ask for.
Kelly
Bridesman
While Ben has much to offer, one of the best is his family. As my future sister-in-law, Kelly is someone who I'm sure can sympathize with the many unique qualities of Ben Ruffatto. When you do life with Ben you know that there are a few things you can always bet on: notorious adventure shlogs that weren't as advertised, never having enough dipping sauce in the house, endless optimism, endearing love for those close, and last but not least his jolly bowl fully of jelly laughs! While some of these qualities might seem cumbersome, we both know that they make for the best memories. I first met Kelly over Christmas in 2016 when Ben introduced me to his family for the first time. It was my 1st White Christmas and almost everything around me was foreign and new. I had excited and nervous energy meeting them and hoped we would all click. With novelty all around me it was obvious when I met the Ruffatto's that I felt comfortable and that they were family. I have always believed that you should surround yourself with people who you admire and want to be like. When I met Kelly I knew she was one of those people. When you do life with Kelly there are a few things you can always bet on: A warm cup of tea, genuine conversation, feeling her loving presence, knowing that she's got your back, and the ability to be yourself. Thank you for welcoming me into your family and like my fav. SNL skit says, "I've got a fever and the only prescription is more KellBell" ;) I couldn't agree more!
