Lexy and I went to Williams together, but we became the closest of friends on a random post-Homecoming flight a couple of years later when she gave me much needed painkillers and kindness.
So what is Lexy to me?
Lexy is the best dance buddy at a weird festival in the middle of a field in Texas. Lexy is the voice that soothes my broken heart. Lexy is a delicious burrito shared after a fun night out. Lexy is the generous free advice that makes me a kinder, more patient person. Lexy is the person my exes are most scared of. Lexy is the phone call I made when I realised I’ve found the one. She is the sister I never had but gained.
Believe it or not, Lexy and I met on a camping trip. On the pre-Williams orientation where we slept in tents, walked up mountains, and had to cook our own food… like, over a campfire… and then hide the leftovers from bears. Given that we’re both more prone to glamping, this initial hardship planted strong roots for our friendship. We were much more suited to splitting baguettes and bottles of wine during study abroad in Paris and constructing elaborate “costumes” for every themed college party under the sun.
Friendship with Lexy may look like all glitter, giggles, and sass, but it is truly grounded in her deep loyalty, thoughtfulness, and kindness. I am so thrilled that Lexy found her counterpart in Javi, an equally kind and joyful soul, and I can’t wait to celebrate these Double-Doctor "I Do’s!"
Lexy and I met on move in day our first year at Williams, and, if I’m being honest, she was intimidating. Not in the scary way, but in the “OMG, this girl is so cool! How can I befriend her?” kind of a way. Even at 18, Lexy was so confident, funny, and effervescent that I knew she was one of the people you want in your life forever. By the time Sophomore year rolled around, we (by choice) decided to live in tiny basement double together. We didn’t have enough room for un-bunked beds and desks, but it was easily one of the most fun, joyous years of my life
While we haven’t lived in the same city for some time now, our near constant communication through the group chat (mute free zone, squad, The BSU…) means Lexy never feels far. I’ve turned to her for laughs, guidance, and support more times than I can count. I’m so happy she has found such an incredible partner in Javi, and I can’t wait to finally celebrate their union. PS - Dr. Javi, please accept my apology for the GC’s roast of your dad jeans back in ‘15. As it turns out, you were ahead of the curve on that one.
Lexy and I met during our Master’s program journey at City College where we immediately bonded over relationship advice about her *soon to be* husband and courtyard shenanigans. It was no surprise that I followed her to Chicago where we are completing our psychology doctorate degrees at The Chicago School.
Our friendship has consisted of predominantly cheese, wine, and HARD belly laughs. She is my down for whatever friend, which is why the night usually ends with ordering one of every slice from the pizza place. Nobody described my relationship with Lexy and Michelle (another bridesmaid) better than Dr. Paulino himself: “Katie is the fire, Lexy is the gasoline, and Michelle is the open field just waiting to burn” -- (I’ll leave this one up to interpretation). Lexy’s strong Taurus ways of dependability and dedication are representative of how deeply she gives love, and I feel lucky to be on the receiving end.
Lexy and I met at Northwestern University, where we voluntarily attended a summer camp for middle schoolers who wanted to take "accelerated courses" during the summer. This says a lot about us both. Several nerd camp sessions (with Carly, another bridesmaid) and 20+ years later, we're still going strong.
Despite living in different states for the majority of our friendship, Lexy and I have experienced so much of life together. I'd like to thank AIM, Amtrak, and the T-Mobile sidekick for helping us stay close regardless of physical proximity. Lexy is one of the funniest, smartest, and most empathetic people I know. I'm lucky to have found such a great friend so early in life, and am so happy that she and Javi found each other too.
Loving Lexy has always come easily to me. We met at the Center for Talent Development (its ok, you can laugh) at Northwestern University, which was a special place for under-stimulated teens to go and meet their true best friends, all while experiencing the joys of being relatively attractive and relatively good at sports for three glorious weeks. I spent every year of middle and high school staying up too late in AIM chats with Lexy and our other co-conspirators (including Kara, another bridesmaid) and looking forward to that time together during the summer. A lot of things have changed since then but no matter how much time we spend apart, we pick up right where we left off, just like when we were kids.
As her roommate of three years in NYC, I was there for the very beginning of Lexy and Javi and I couldn't imagine a better match for her. If you're looking for me among the bridal party, I will be the one ugly crying throughout the ceremony and then laughing uncontrollably throughout the reception- just like grad school, right Lexy?
Javi and I go way back- from khakis and polos in Middle School to...more khakis and polos in High School. TV, gaming, and neighboring cultures brought us together, and a strong sense of brotherhood and perseverance kept us together. I've watched this city kid come into his own and become a real stand-up gentleman in so many aspects, and I am truly blessed to have been along for most of the ride. He was my rock during some tough times, always keeping his room open (be it for bro-talks on the futon, or spicy memes), finding brightsides and solutions to prescribe in true pre-med form, and non-judgmentally keeping me in check along the way.
He's the guy in the room who will laugh hardest at your jokes, make sure your cup stays filled, bring out your competitive spirit (before crushing it), and even help you get a cab home at the end of the night (except for that one birthday where I got to repay the favor). We may have missed some collegiate years in between, but it's clear to me that he was in good hands from the company that he keeps, and that his work ethic has never faltered. So, here's to you, Javi and Lexy, your recent monumental achievements, and your inspiring goals for the future. Let's make some more memories.
When I walked onto the track team in the fall of 2010, little did I know I was also walking into a brotherhood that would define my college years and remain strong far beyond that.
Although we initially bonded over our love for running fast around a track, we quickly discovered we had so much more in common, and at the core of it all, we both just enjoyed looking for creative ways to have fun at a small, liberal arts college in Western Massachusetts. From being the best (some will argue, don’t believe them) beer pong partner in the valley, to being the one to plan or invite me to some fun excursions (#tiesto #dayglow), to creating a space where everyone could chill and escape the college grind (#breakingbad #gameofthrones #10amlocos), to always being up for some once-in-a-lifetime shenanigans (#hazardousconditions), we have already made lots of lifelong memories, and there are more to come!
Javi is non-judgmental, supportive, energetic, gregarious, and sometimes gullible (I once convinced him I owned a lion back in Zimbabwe and rode an elephant to school…), and I can truly say there are few better friends out there. I’m honored to stand up with Javi as he and Lexy get married, and I already know it will be a memorable day, to say the least!
Javi and I first met on a prospective student shadowing trip at Hackley, before what would be our freshmen year there. Javi, Brian and I hung out that day and bonded on the fact that they had all the Latino kids visit on the same day. Little did we know that a true friendship and bond began that day that would continue on to this day. From then on, Javi and I shared many memorable times on the football field, classrooms and hallways of Hackley, and bar hopping around NYC.
Javi always has a great spirit and energy about him that is so contagious and it is always a good time whenever we can get together. We always pick up right where we left off, no matter how long it’s been since the last time we saw each other. I’m so proud of the man he has become today and all that he has accomplished along the way. I can’t wait to see what Javi and Lexy have in store as they both take this next step in their journey of life.
I can't tell you exactly when or where I met Javi, when I showed up at Amherst freshman year, but the click was immediate and we were planning a party within our first week on campus. And so it went. Javi has always been a reliable, generous, and fun friend to have on call. We shared countless meals, hangovers, and a work-hard, play-hard, party-plan-hard spirit at Amherst. While Javi and I grew into overlapping social circles, we always found each other where the fun was. That is why I am honored to be here at the most important party of Javi's life as a groomsman.
After Amherst, I started working in NYC and Javi made an effort to show me his world, and teach this Texican about the treasures of Washington Heights. I met Lexy in this New York chapter and knew immediately that Javi was hooked. Javi and I make a dynamic duo for having fun, and I have no doubt that this will be one of the best weddings of your life because of our hard-earned "event planning" experience!
Javi and I have a time-traveling best friendship! We met while Javi was a pre-frosh Track & Field recruit assigned to stay in my freshman dorm—Charles Pratt. He was apparently thoroughly impressed by our hedonistic, Super Smash Bros. Brawl-centric lifestyle!
When I finished plugging some fat holes in my character and returned to Amherst, I had the pleasure of calling Javi Captain. I watched him turn the sprinter crew into a tight knit squad full of kind-hearted bros willing to put in work when it’s easy and when it ain’t.
Brother, Captain, Doc, sky’s the limit for this dude! His work ethic and good judgment inspire me. Love always, Popo
- T-matt
