The Bridesmaids

Jennifer and I met when our boys were in the 3rd grade and started playing soccer together. I thought she was quiet at first because she was always reading during soccer practice but I later learned she was in nursing school and was studying all the time. We have braved the soccer parent life together for many years now and became great friends. Jennifer is full of life and can always make me laugh. I'm certain that there are way more photos of me with her than anyone else I know because she never misses a photo op. She is also the only person I know that has perfected her pose for pictures. I'm certain that if I ever need to burn a house down because of a spider she will be there to support my decision.

I met Cori in the 5th grade at Millersville Elementary. She had transferred from a private school and we were a little unsure of one another at first but once we got to know each other we were inseparable. She succeeds at everything she sets her mind to. Growing up I was always amazed by her free spirit. She loves everything and everyone good in this world and will stand up for what she believes in. She has been there for me since we were kids and even if we disagreed on something she never gave up on me. Cori is a wonderful mother, a strong independent woman and my best friend. Oh, the stories we could tell...but we won't.

Angie and I met at work back in 2001. We became friends playing on the corporate softball team. She pulls people in with her humor. When she and Taylor are together they seem to lose all common sense and that's gotten her in trouble a time or two. We have laughed until we cried and lost all ability to act like adults. We have cut up for so many years that we have our own sounds and code words to tip the other off on inside jokes. She is one of those people that you could literally ask her for anything and she would do her best to make it happen. 

We met at Aquinas College in our first semester of nursing school. We had a lot in common and no one outside of nursing school understood how overwhelming it was unless they had already experienced it. I don't know how we would have made it through had we not become study partners and friends. She has a very kind and giving heart. She now works for an alternative medicine physician in Hendersonville.

Madeline is my oldest niece. When she was younger she asked if she could be in my wedding if I ever got married. I told her yes even though I had no idea when or if it would ever happen. Several years later, I'm keeping my word. Madeline is a very good student and an excellent soccer player. I couldn't be more proud of her.

Taylor was starting kindergarten and Jennie worked at his after school program. Our boys were friends and we became friends also. We were basketball and soccer moms together and we also spent a little while in cub scouts together. Although after enduring the first camping trip as single moms we admitted that roughing it wasn't for us and we decided to just stick with soccer. She is a Medical Assistant at TOA so we are also coworkers.

The Groomsmen

Ben and I met over the phone while I worked in OKC. He was my counterpart in Buffalo marketing on the web. It was actually a long time before we finally met in person but by then we were already good friends. You'll have to be careful because Ben can sell you anything. He's a natural at building a bridge with anyone he meets. Ben is very happily married to his wife Denise, has two daughters and is the digital marketing manager for OPUBCO.

I was introduced to Jay at a social while we were in college. It was the most hilarious Taboo game night I've ever played where he came this close to killing his friend who never came up with the word "blister" in 60 seconds or less. We became friends and studied together through college. Jay is one of the funniest guys I know which is greatly amplified when Chris Skinner is in the room. Jay is very happily married to his wife Jenn, is a decorated officer for Henrico County and is an accomplished musician.

I met Chris when I was conducting a survey in one of the dorms on campus. He walked over to fill out a survey and we talked for a while. We became friends and started studying together. Chris is the victim of the greatest "psyche" in our college career though he has gotten me back many times over. He is very happily married to his wife Tara and they have three children. He is an Associate Professor at Mount Olive College, as well as an accomplished musician.

I met Clay after he heard a small "help" in the gym one day. He looked over to see a guy who had tried for too much weight and hurried over to lend a hand. I thanked him and remarked I should get a partner. He said he was free and we've been gym partners and friends ever since. Clay is a great partner because he has been in and won bodybuilding competitions. Clay has worked at various financial institutions in information technology with ATM and card systems. He has two grown-up children and two granddaughters. 

Jeff is one of my oldest friends and we go way back to before Cub Scouts. We're only 21 days apart in age and went through school together up until college. Jeff has an uncanny memory and can instantly recall just about anything he's ever learned (his specialty is celebrity names and news). Jeff travels around the United States as a technician for Day and Zimmermann. He had two grown-up children and one granddaughter.

Mark was one of the first guys I met in the music industry. If you can imagine it I was a bit if a jerk to Mark early on, but we moved past it and he became one of closest friends. He has a phenomenal memory, especially with names. Mark was a pioneer of digital music back in the days of Napster (he still swears I look like Shawn Fanning) and leads development on family cellphone apps for his own business called Zabra. Mark is very happily married to his wife Julie and has one daughter.

Mike and I met at the gym. I had lost a recent workout partner and he invited me to work out with him and another friend. Mike was always the joker in the group. Mike is an early riser literally bouncing out of the bed in the morning to face the day and builds instant relationships with everyone he meets. Mike was one of the youngest ever to reach VP status for Pacific Life where he works now. Mike is very happily married to his wife Lisa and has two children.

It didn't take long for Catina to clear me from the potential psycho list and introduce me to her son. Taylor was just 10 when I met him. He was full of energy and loved soccer. He had a slight mischievous side which I know he got honestly and something he has yet to grow out of. I'm glad. Now he's 17 and smart as a whip gleaning lots from his grandfather and uncles that I wish I knew at his age. It's only been six months since I moved back, but it will be my first brush with empty nest syndrome when he leaves for college.

While I was in college a friend said you have got to meet Mark Beaty. Mark was involved in just about every group on campus and was known for being one of the most noble and kindest men on campus. Mark and I became friends, studied together and he was also the first to get me into a gym which caused my arm to lockup for three days because I pushed too hard that first time. Mark is the Director of Campus Activities at Northeast State Community College.