They say cousins are your first playmates who grow to be your forever friends. I am blessed to have four beautiful cousins who I consider sisters.
Meet cousin #1. Karen was the first born in our family. Creative, kindhearted, and loving are just a few of the qualities I love so much about her. We share many common interests like our love for Disney, Marilyn Monroe, and Hello Kitty. Karen is a wonderful and devoted mother to Kendal and Evan. It's truly been a pleasure to watch her family grow and I am so happy to share this special moment of my life with her.
No, this is not Brant wearing a wig.
I first met Alyssa, oddly enough, in Montreal. Brant and Alyssa had planned a sibling trip to Canada shortly after we began dating and Alyssa was generous enough to extend an invitation to me. She probably just wanted to check me out and have the option of offing me in another country. But it all worked out well as we completely hit it off through our love for food, travel, and making fun of Brant.
Alyssa is a kind and generous soul that cherishes her family. It was very important to me to find someone that had a strong relationship with their family, as I do with mine. Watching Brant and Alyssa early on in our relationship was further proof that not only was Brant the one for me, but so was his family.
I am so excited to have Alyssa as such an important part of our special day.
I'm pretty sure Teresa and I were destined to be friends. Teresa actually graduated with my brother David and I with her cousin four years later. Our families have always managed to stay intertwined one way or another. She ended up working for my father's company, as did I, and the rest is history. We spend forty hours a week sitting next to each other at work and apparently that isn’t enough because we still hang out on weeknights and weekends. Teresa is good to the core and would take the shirt off her back to help someone in need. She puts up with my silly antics and has even started to join in. She's someone I can always count on and truly cherish her friendship. I am so happy to have her a special part of our big day.
It is rare that you can meet someone that you can discuss anything from politics to poetry, the theoretical to theological, discussions of quibbles, foibles, and let me not ignore incredible road trips and exciting parties. We have shared laughs, tears, and everything in between. Mike has truly transcended friendship and is not just a friend, but a brother. Mike introduced me to fine food, soccer, grappa and Armin Van Buuren. There are very few people in my life who have influenced me, and inspired me as much as Mike. I am glad to have him standing beside me as my best man.
Ahhh, Eric. Look at how he holds his glass. (Inside joke). Anyone lucky enough to know Eric is truly lucky. Eric embodies the definition of friendship. Truly altruistic, open to a fault, and the most caring individual you'll ever meet. Eric is the only person I have ever met that can hold my interest for hours on end and never run out of things to say. Eric has traveled the world solo, has read more than nearly anyone I ever met, and is never scared to share his opinion. He will debate you, just for the fun of it. Having Eric in my life is a blessing, and I am eternally grateful to have him as my co-best man.
John made a strong case to move to Kensington in Brooklyn and it changed my life. I learned to live on my own, shared hilarious nights and adventures from the bar scene, steak dinners, to polar bear plunges. John was my partner in the gym, adventures and wild antics. Although I am relentless on teasing John about his beard, he shows his true manhood, by being an incredible father to his daughter, an incredible friend, and my go to source in all things legal. John I am thrilled to have you as my groomsman.
I still remember you as the crazy delivery driver, wild party fraternity guy, and then remember how you showed up to Tommy's apartment when you earned your gold tassels when you were in the academy (first person I ever met that did that). I know you had some trials and tribulations over the years, but no matter what was happening for you personally you were always an awesome friend. Love having you at family dinners, and couldn't have chosen a better guy to experience Israel and Egypt with. Thank you for standing with me as my groomsman.
If I had a word to describe Tommy it's reliable. Despite how crazy our little crew could get Tommy centered us and brought us back to some semblance of reality. Tommy was my first truly Italian friend, who introduced me to Manicotti, mozzarella en carrozza, antipasto, brasciole, and Italian cold cuts, which would truly change my sandwiches forever. My palate thanks him, my waistline does not. From memories of playing dreamcast, epic bike rides, softball games, and seeing awesome sporting events Tommy has been one of my closest friends for nearly 20 years. I thank him for standing besides me on this special day.
I moved from Starrett City to Canarsie when I was almost 11 years old. Moving to a new place with no friends during the school year was tough. I had big glasses, big hair, and bad clothes. It was not an easy situation. Yet he and his band of misfit friends welcomed me in. He helped me develop a love for the Mets, food from Puerto Rico, and heavy metal music. We attended HS together, college, and were ZBT Brothers together. I'm thrilled looking back at my life, knowing that Edgardo has been there for nearly every important milestone in my life including my wedding.
The day I met Joey, I felt as though I already knew him. I was assured Joey was the worlds #1 Rutgers fan (I've seen the Rutgers room and the tattoo, I assure you this is a fact). Aside from him nine-to-five, he is the lead singer of The Fuzz. He has an incredible sense of humor, is absolutely one of a kind, and is the life of the party. Not only can Joey make you laugh, and entertain you, but I was able to trust and confide in him when making a career change. I am looking forward to sharing many more BBQ's, attending many more shows, and having deep insightful conversations. I am happy to have Joey as one of my groomsman and look forward to calling him my brother-in-law. Side note: we are both terrible at mini-golf.
When I was first introduced to David, I haven't even met Melissa in person yet. We were only texting one another, but pictures of David and Melissa's antics were a large part of Melissa and myself getting to know one another. I can say without hesitation that Melissa's sense of humor is definitely heavily inspired by David. I got to see him in costume, and heard hilarious stories. However, getting to know him in person is even better. We share a love for many of the same shows, enjoy dry humor, and throwing down in the kitchen. Chef Wang, I am super excited call you my brother-in-law.
There is very little that makes me happier than John Carlo's smile. When he is happy, he makes everyone else around him happy. I believe our bonding started at the Angela's House walk when I was having a blast pushing him around. After that, he has acknowledged that he prefers my beard freshly trimmed, and has outright pushed people out of the way when having a technical iPhone or iPad problem (note: when having a tech issue, always go to the guy with the Android). Johnny Carlo is the absolute best, and I can't tell you how excited I am to be referred to as Uncle Brant.
Just like his Dad, I saw pictures of Aidan before I even met Melissa in person. His laugh, little Buddha belly, and smile are the most adorable things you can ever hope to see. Watching him play with toys, run around, and face dive into my belly make me extremely happy to have him in my life. I am so excited to continue watching him grow and of course to see him walk our rings down the aisle.
