Rani & Thomas

Though first introduced as just some hotshot transfer from UNC-Wilmington (that happen to be blessed with a killer facial birth mark), Thomas quickly and steadfastly took a liking to Jeff - especially when it became clear he wouldn't present much of a threat for playing time in an already stacked Georgia Southern midfield.   

Their friendship second semester freshman year resulted in the two sharing a lease off campus for what would be the most formative years of their young adult lives.  Though the Bulloch County Health Dept would later deem Copper Beech Apartment 116B the third most severe health risk to the area (behind alcohol poisoning and diesel air pollution), Jeff and Thomas, along with fellow roommates Rocco Bagley and Daniel Rush, developed a best friendship within those tattered walls that has lasted to this day.  

Like Rani and Thomas, Jeff currently resides in the Atlanta area.  Many of you know Thomas to be a proud "Founding Father" of the Atlanta United MLS team.  Fewer of you may know that it was Jeff who sold him his season ticket.  

Jeff will will always be CEO (Chief Enabling Officer) to Hamilton Enterprises, and Thomas and Rani could not be more thrilled to have him play such an important part in their big day. 

As a proud Statesboro local, legend has it, that Ryan Anderson was born with a $1 daquri in one hand, and an Erk Russell bobblehead in the other.  He's pound-for-pound the strongest member of a Groomsmen class that, for the most part, isn't afraid of a kettle bell or two - making him a no-brainer appointee as Head of Security.

Ryan and Thomas first became acquainted with another at Unisource Worldwide when Thomas was but an intern.  Their interactions were largely limited to those in the breakroom, washroom, and parking lot.  If you question Anderson as to why their friendship wasn't exactly immediate, he'd blunty retort, "How often does a lion chance to interact with an ant?"  However, when Thomas re-joined Ryan at the newly re-branded Veritiv after college graduation, Anderson was quick to impart his now full-time desk partner with all of the shysty wisdom Thomas's innocent mind could handle. 

Slinging freight, when done properly, is a true bonding experience, and before long the two shysters were sharing an apartment  - and would go on to share three more.  Their time as roomies were highlighted by countless hours of FIFA, Netflix originals, and the extremely occasional uncluttered sink. 

Though no longer coworkers or roommates, Ryan and Thomas remain the best of friends.  Rani and Thomas could not be more honored, and their photographer more thankful, to have this stud in their wedding party.  

Many of you are likely already familiar with the first non-Nitin member of the immediate Bhatt family - recognizable by his wide gait, dry wit, and perfectly aligned mandibles.  For those few of you who's lives have not yet been blessed by Kishan, what an honor it will be for you all to get to meet one of the most entertaining, caring, and stunningly organized individuals this side of the Mississippi. 

Though hailing from historic Charleston, SC, Kishan now also calls Atlanta his home.  He became romantically acquainted with Rani's elder sister Radhika while at Georgia Tech, the two having originally bonded over the art of Bollywood dance.  Before long, Thomas wasn't the only boyfriend at the Bhatt dinner table, though he did remain the only one who couldn't pronounce the food or handle the heat.  In those early years in particular, though Radhika and his relationship was in fact greener Thomas and Rani's, Kishan taught Thomas countless lessons in how to navigate Indian events, dinner menus, and television guides.  Like the best student-teacher relationships, once Thomas had proven his competence over the curriculum, Student Thomas and Professor Bhula developed and have maintained a strong friendship.  

Thomas is thankful to be embarking upon the same trail (that of maintaining the happiness of a Bhatt woman of course) that Kishan first cartographed when he and Radhika were married in 2016, but he's more honored still to be gaining an older brother.

Though he possesses a pair of pectorals with a neural network all their own, and a laugh that'd eliminate the two-drink minimum at any comedy club, it's his permanent smile that best captures the spirit of Chase Park.  Chase was smiling the first time he and Thomas met at Georgia Southern, he was smiling despite having to carry Thomas's unwashed carcass up and down the bleachers of Hanner Fieldhouse, and, regardless of what time or place you're reading this - Chase is smiling now.  

Chase and Thomas were indeed both members of the heralded Georgia Southern freshman class of 2011.  Coated in a some carnivorous mutation of gnat, and embroiled by the unrelenting south Georgia sun, Chase and Thomas bonded over the additional misery of being two of the lone freshman with cars.  Both the white rocket and snot rocket didn't last 24 hours into that first pre-season before being unceremoniously reduced to sputtering bins of groin sweat and spoiled protein.  

Despite destruction of personal property, Chase excelled both athletically and academically at GSU - earning multiple All-Conference honors, serving at least one season as captain (surely information verifiable on the Google), and being allowed to walk at graduation with at least one tassel.  

Chase now makes his living in Athens, GA with his better half and fiance Alana McShane (also a member of the wedding party).  Though no longer roaming the halls of the freshman dorms (atleast not on record), Chase remains recognizable by his permanently toothy grin.  And who could blame him - he get's to listen to an Irish accent all day!

Thomas, Rani, and the local dental community could not be more honored to have Chase manning the front lines on their big day.  

Reed "Reedinho" Norton, is the second Statesboro local to brighten this groomsman class, even if he did technically move to Augusta before ceremoniously becoming a Statesboro man.  The Nortons moved roughly two years before Reed had a chance to, as local tradition demands, identify and consume a bald eagle egg straight from the nest.  Rather than this primal introduction to manhood, Reed embraced his first chest hair on the mean neighborhood streets off Hardy McManus Rd, a short post-soccer practice stop from the Hamilton household.  

Reed and his brother Hunter, coached by their father Tom "Coach" Norton, set the East Georgia soccer scene ablaze, as relentlessly as Khaleesi did Slaver's Bay.  As the flames grew around any field the Nortons graced, so grew their friendship with Thomas.  That friendship, despite Reed's treacherous, downright-Lannister move to the IMG Academy in 2010, continued through middle and high school, and to college where Reed (a year Thomas's junior) also joined the soccer team at Georgia Southern.  

Though more highlights than low, there was a second and doubly hurtful act of betrayal (that being Reed's transfer to NC State).  This abandonment would've totaled an any weaker friendship, though, Thomas and Reed's being more steadfast than the Iron Bank, has continued to blossom well into their post-graduate lives. 

Reed now lives in Atlanta where he's just transitioned from his capacity as a college soccer coach to one in the world of business.  His fiance, Nora El-Shami also highlights this studly Wedding Party.  

Reed has one of the purest hearts the gods have ever constructed, and, in large part due to his timeless rendition of famed dance move the "Cat Daddy", will be an honored, "can't miss" attraction on Thomas and Rani's big day.  

Connor Meeks is well, anything but meek.  Though a couple inches short of 6' tall, an interaction with the man can be a little dominating.  It may be his distinct, bellowing laugh, his IMBD-level knowledge of every production this side of Casablanca, or perhaps his bearish embrace.  Regardless, you're not likely to forget your first, or your last, encounter with the one they call The Conman.  

Though both Thomas and Connor spent their adolescence in the Augusta area, the two didn't really become acquainted until their shared time at Greenbrier High.  It was there, that the two dominated the Mall Hall by day, the Greenbrier practice field by aft, and Connor's hallowed basement by eve.  Though the exact time, events, and faces that graced the Meek's basement during (roughly) the years 2009-2011 are legally sealed through 2050, it's no secret that those subterranean walls made several a man that now constitute this Wedding Party.  

Connor, a year Thomas's senior, left for UGA a year earlier than Thomas would've liked, though not before leaving Thomas with a mental guidebook on how to properly play the role of host - one Thomas still references to this day.  Throughout their pre and now post-graduate lives, Thomas and Connor have remained fast friends and still frequent one another's basements when reminiscence allows.  

Connor is as compelling a party guest as he is a pleasant dinner guest, making him a must for any gathering of any Augusta-area elites.  Rani and Thomas could not be more thrilled to call him a best friend and for him to participate in their wedding day/s. 

Rocco "Balboa" Bagley, despite the nickname, look like much of a fighter at first glance.  However the human race was to nominate one human being to survive two minutes in a ring with a bull - well it'd be this guy.  Not only is he the best-traveled member of this wedding party (100% chance he's witnessed a bullfight in-person before), and the most agile, but he's also one of those individuals that is impossible to dislike - whether you be man or beast. Rocco and that bull would undoubtedly saunter out of the ring together, Rocco consentingly mounted, and they'd part exclaiming how excited they are for the trip to Argentina they'd just booked. 

Raised in a suburb of Dallas, Rocco migrated to Georgia Southern to continue his already esteemed soccer career and, as fate would have it, Thomas and Rocco were selected to share a freshman dorm.  The two quickly discovered a shared passion for Led Zeppelin's "Song Remains the Same" Album, though not as quickly as they realized their common lack of punctuality.  Rocco and Thomas were famously tardy to their first ever team meeting, being forced to wait outside the meeting room until the meeting's conclusion, where shortly after they received a tongue-lashing the level of which is rarely seen outside of military barracks. 

Trauma, they learned, is more bonding than Gorilla glue, and Thomas and Rocco would go on to be roommates for all four of their years at Georgia Southern.  During said time, Rocco taught Thomas many a lesson in the art of 2k trolling, flawless Zombie runs, 

Tyler Sanders provides a much needed "high ball" element to an otherwise "Jack and coke" class of groomsmen.  Another proud son of Mother Augusta, Tyler was raised with UGA football in his heart, homemade gravy in his belly, and "yes ma'am" on his lips.  

Tyler and Thomas first became acquainted, you guessed it on, on the soccer.  Though he'd go on to become a star travel, high school, and collegiate soccer player, it was on a humble U-10 Columbia County rec team where Tyler first realized the gift in his feet.  Young Tyler played starring roles on the most unstoppable rec team that Patriots Park has and ever will witness, stardom forever gilded with a dramatically captured State Championship.  In a foggy state final against Troup County, though it was Thomas who scored the only and deciding goal, it was Tyler who started the counter attack. 

Through their remaining elementary, middle, and high school years, Tyler became a mainstay at the Hamilton household - particularly when yard work exceeded Thomas's (and often Thomas's father's) expertise.  

In exchange for household services, Georgia football insider news, and general companionship, the Sanders regularly allowed son Thomas to accompany the Sanders on their summer trips to Myrtle Beach.  Ocean Lakes Campground was like a summer camp though with far fewer counselors.  Such anarchy often saw an, at the time undersized, Thomas fighting for survival.  Tyler, on the other hand, absolutely thrived - especially when on the community basketball courts or behind the wheel of his 2014 red Mustang. 

Though the adolescent debauchery of those summer days in Myrtle Beach, shared Saturdays in Athens, and weekdays in the Greenbrier hallways are unfortunately in the rear view , Tyler remains one of Thomas's most reliable and genuine friends. 

Rani and Thomas could not be more thrilled to have Tyler and his fiance Kier be a part of their wedding weekend. 

Though Austin Vick by birth, this groomsman is most-recognized statewide by his alter-ego:  The Big Kat.  Austin Vick is the most unassuming member of your Bible Study group who never forgets to restock the K-cups.  The Big Kat is the snake charming, fairway obliterating vagabond your Bible Study warns you about. 

Austin, one of several Columbia County legends amongst this group of groomsmen, grew up just a six-iron away from the Hamilton household.  Though drastically similar kids in their early adolescence (both blessed with feathery blonde hair and an inborn magnetism with the ladies), Austin and Thomas's friendship missile really didn't lift-off until high school.  That Greenbrier High class of 2011 saw the emergence of one of the most renowned tripods this side of Hollywood Blvd - formed by the now fully evolved Big Kat, fellow groomsman Preston Key, and our groom Thomas.  That senior year, whether on the golf course (they had a strict "Big Kat's Ball is Always Best Ball" policy), on a Moe Monday (in 2011, attendance was 50% of your final grade at Greenbrier High School), or on the wrong end of a nerf gun (all three were decorated soldiers in the Great Nerf Wars of 2011), this trio was undefeated.  Austin provided a grit, grin, and much needed gumption to a group that would otherwise have a tendency to loiter.  

Though after graduation The Big Kat headed west to grace Kenesaw State University with his big ol' brain and golfing talents, he and Thomas remain the fastest of friends.  Big Kat remains to this day one of the most familiar and welcome non-Hamilton faces at the Hamilton household.  

Just a couple years ago, Thomas honorably served as a groomsman at The Big Kat's own wedding. Thomas and Rani could not be more honored to have The Big Kat serve the same role in theirs.

It took Preston exactly four years on this earth before first running into his lifelong buddy Thomas, in Mrs. Kitchens's star-studded Pre-K class. 

Their elementary school friendship was highlighted by the two capturing the first ever Coneball Tournament Championship their 5th grade year, the celebration parade (an unsanctioned march through the hallways to Queen's "We are the Champions"), to this day lives on in Riverside Elementary lore. 

In middle school, Preston and Thomas's friendship continued to evolve.  With Preston's father behind the clipboard, the two dominated the Columbia County Rec basketball league, executing a pick-and-roll game that was every bit as devastating as Magic and Kareem's.  Middle school was also when the world was first introduced to Hollywood Key - as Preston began to flex his acting, directing, and producing chops through various off-campus productions.  The "The White Boi of Bel Air", a notably caucasian adaptation of "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air" became an instant cult classic, despite most of its viewership still not having full Internet privileges.  Even the harshest of pre-teen critics found the blonde, bowl-cut actor who played the "Carlton" deserving of particular acclaim.   

Preston's creative side continued to blossom through high school.  By the time the Greenbrier Class of 2011 had walked, Preston had directed a feature link WWII masterpiece and had written a screenplay that could make a cactus weep. 

Though there very well could still be an Oscar in his future, as anyone who has ever been within shouting distance of him can attest, Preston doesn't need a camera to capture even the most unwilling of audiences.  Thomas and Rani could not be more honored to have him play a leading role on their big day.  

Local authorities wanted these last words to serve as a warning:  There may be a Key-Rex in the Columbia County area this coming August.