Wedding Party
Jack Thesing
Best Man
Jack and I met over 14 years ago at boarding school. For the majority of my life, he has been my closest friend, confidante, and brother. His family has treated me like family and we've never spent long apart. I owe many of my good qualities to Jack's influence and it is an honor to have him as my Best Man. I'm sorry mom, but his picture stays the same.
Mariam Banoub
Maid of Honor
Mariam Banoub, commonly referred to as Tota (2-ta), is Chris' favorite sister. Being six years apart, a large portion of Tota's life was spent being teased by Chris, but through adulthood and a lot of forgiveness on Tota's end, they have become best friends.
George Skelly
Groomsman
George is Tom's older brother by 1.5 years. Tom and George were roommates in Chicago for a period of time where they both enjoyed sipping craft beers in moderation and reading non-fiction books.
Kelsey Truedson
Bridesmaid
Kelsey is Chris' best friend from high school after Chris had moved to America. They met in art class where Chris employed her broken English to guilt Kelsey into being her friend. It has been 11 years since their friendship began, and a miracle that both are still alive.
Youssef Banoub
Groomsman
Youssef is Chris' brother and the best damn soccer player Tom knows. Youssef and Tom met through Chris, but quickly became friends in their own right. They traditionally spend Christmases together where Tom's parents look at Youssef like their fifth son.
Carol Farid
Bridesmaid
Carol is Chris' sister-in-law. They became especially close after Carol moved to the States. Chris and Carol both enjoy cry-laughing at sad shows, compulsive shopping, and Egyptian memes.
Mike Skelly
Groomsman
Mike is Tom's older brother by 3 years. Mike has been a lifelong taste-maker for Tom. It was Mike who got Tom into Soccer as a kid, cultivating his love for the game and professional team, Arsenal. It was also Mike who first housed Tom in Chicago during the summer of Tom's sophomore year of college. That apartment has now been condemned, but both Tom and Mike admit no fault.
Marci Tsiribas
Bridesmaid
Chris found Marci through a Craigslist ad needing an additional bridesmaid. They instantly virtually bonded over their love for tacos and yodeling at strangers in bars. The two have yet to meet in person.
Bill Skelly
Groomsman
Bill is Tom's oldest brother by 4 years. Bill has been a lifelong role model for Tom. Bill was the only brother who held Tom as a baby, but has long since refused to hold him with the same affection as that day.
Jenna Sapir
Bridesmaid
Jenna is Chris' best friend and roommate from college and beyond. The two met on the first day of college 9 years ago and instantly clicked. They became inseparable after Chris escaped her Freshman-year roommate and sought shelter in the welcoming confines of Jenna's dorm.
John Lujano
Groomsman
Mr. John Lujano is Tom's friend from their boarding school days. John has a heart of gold, a liver of steel, and great decision-making when it comes to friends. At the time of writing this, Tom is unsure that Johnny is aware he is a groomsman (5/16/20).
Sarah Isaac
Bridesmaid
Sarah is Chris' cousin. Chris stayed with Sarah for a year, upon her initial move to the States. Their initial rivalry has blossomed to a great family friendship today. They both bonded over their attraction to sultry white boys.
Jide Oluyedun
Groomsman
Jide and Tom first met in boarding school. Their friendship was put to the test from the get-go when one of Jide's friends made Jide choose between him and Tom. History shows Jide made the right call. They have since connected through their passion for informing others of something, hence their nickname, "the informers".
Mary Faragalla
Bridesmaid
Mary is Chris' best friend from Church. After 4 years of curiously looking at each other in Church on Sundays, Mary couldn't resist the intrigue that is Chris, and introduced herself. The two quickly became best friends. Now, 7 years down the line, they are both in each other's weddings and can once again stare at each other in Church on their wedding dates.
Rolando Rengifo
Groomsman
Tom met Rolando at law school. They initially bonded over their mutual ability to have philosophical and intellectually stimulating discussions (usually after several whiskeys). Rolando has been a large part of Tom's success in law school and a great friend outside of it.
Rina Isaac
Bridesmaid
Rina is Chris' cousin. Commonly referred to as "her little cousin", this title no longer makes sense as Rina has long outgrown the 4'11" bride. Chris admires Rina's convictions in her beliefs and can always count on her for honesty- especially for her thoughts on Chris' humor.
Nick Sieger
Groomsman
Nick and Tom met in law school, although both have a sense they had met in at least one of their past lives. Tom and Nick grew close through their inability to take life seriously- but they take their friendship seriously. Seriously Nick, you are my friend and I love you.
Dragana Kangarga
Bridesmaid
Dragana is Chris' best friend from college. They met in high school, searching for college roommates, but did not room together as both did not fill out their roommate applications on time. Despite this lack of living together, the two have shared "endless love," proving once more that absence makes the heart grow fonder.
Donald Schillinger
Groomsman
Tom and Donald (aka DJ) met in boarding school. DJ was known around those parts as the hardest defender (aka Stickmaster) on the soccer field- and coincidentally Tom was the hardest offender. What happens when an immovable object meets an unstoppable force? A lifelong friendship.
Meghan Thesing
Bridesmaid
Chris met Meghan 4 years ago when Chris first began dating Tom. The two initially bonded over their dislike of Jack Thesing and Tom's (healthy) co-dependent relationship, and have since grown close. Meghan has always been there for Chris and Tom and will continue that trend at the wedding.
Julian Mourad
Groomsman
Tom met Julian after moving to Chicago. Tom and Julian have subsequently lived together (with George, as well) and have grown close through their mutual interests in philanthropic activity and cryogenic preservation.
Baba Omosegbon
Groomsman
Baba and Tom met in boarding school, but subsequently re-met in law school. Baba has always been a great friend, and was a guiding light to Tom's journey in converting to Coptic Christianity. Fun fact: Baba once hosted all of his and Tom's friends at his apartment in Indiana (10+ men) violating several local housing ordinances. The things we do for friendship, folks.
Braden Adcock
Groomsman
Fate brought Braden and Tom together after their college days. While Braden considers himself an INTJ on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Test, Tom thinks Braden is an ARGF [A Really Good Friend].