I’ve been disrupting my big sister's life since the day I was born and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. We have been through so much in this life together and have stories to share that literally no other human on the planet could understand. Fun times, and thesuper hard times, she has always been there to guide me or tell me to get my stuff together in a way only a sister can. I’m honored to have her a part of our special day and so grateful for all the help she has provided along the way to get here. I promise to continue to annoy you and have completely different versions of the same events forever.
After meeting in the dorms freshman year of college, our friendship was solidified by our mutual love of multi-syllabic words, palindromes, our horrible singing voices, taking on any random fitness challenge, mullet-hunting, and learning about the world around us, other cultures, and traditions. We have been there for each other through all the big and small things life has thrown at us the past 25 years and have so enjoyed our sons becoming the best of friends, not to mention our honeys bonding right away too and we love that Bob is also a part of our big day!
Their home is our 2nd home when we are in town and have been so grateful for accommodating our many many trips home over the years!
From slinging steaks together in Manhattan, to wild nights out in Manhattan Beach, Kentucky Derby adventures, one zillion late night phone calls and navigating single-motherhood together for so many years, you are truly a rock in my life and Jefferson’s. You have a unique perspective on life and literally never sweat the small stuff, because you have faith that it will all work out. I wish I could be that chill sometimes :) Thank you for never judging me, giving up on me, and for always being real. You’re a gem and I’m so grateful to have you as my maid of honor!
Kricket and I have experienced so many giant life events together and weathered many storms. You are a rock for me and our multiple FaceTime chats each week are better than therapy most of the time. Getting to see you marry the love of your life this past year filled me with so much joy and hope for my future and I know that we have so many great memories to make in life. So fun that our kiddos have been friends since J was 3 years old, I treasure their bond too!
Casey and I first met as college roommates through a mutual friend and she had no idea what she was in for! Our ability to always pick up right where we left off means so much to me and being that she became a mother ahead of me, so I was able to see her walk through that journey before mine began. Despite our differing political preferences, we are always able to hold important conversations and hear each other’s viewpoints on any topic under the sun and be there to support each other. Her and her husband Joe hosted our lovely engagement party and we always be forever grateful for that special time with so many loved ones and the many nights you've hosted us while in town!
From our college shenanigans, to visiting me wherever I’ve moved around to, to dropping it like it’s hot at many a wedding together, you are a rock of sanity and humor in my life. Your zest for party planning and organization are truly where our souls connect! I can’t thank you enough for your help with our engagement party, baby shower, bachelorette party planning, etc. I love how we can always instantly dial into work conversations and that you are able to give me actionable advice whenever I need it and I can’t wait to dance my face off with you in Mexico!
My oldest, dearest friend in the world dating back to the early 80s! The Sar-Bear to my Tar-Bear!! You have shown me how to be a great mother, friend, and human over all our years together. You walk through life with grace and never take yourself too seriously, the things I admire most in you. We can go months without chatting and instantly crying laughing over our many inside jokes, mostly centered around dumb 90s movies or SNL skits. I love you to pieces and treasure our longstanding bond. Life has thrown you some lemons in the past few years, which makes it even more special to me that you are able to be part of wedding and all that leads up to it.
You have literally seen me at my worst and been such a cheerleader for me the past 12+ years and never gave up hope when I struggled. We have an unshakable bond, a shared sense of humor, a love of hikes, vortexes, puzzles, exploring nature, and raising our children to be good humans that lean into their gifts (and who also all love cats, obviously). Thank you for believing in me when I didn’t believe in myself and reminding me that I deserve this big, full, and beautiful life that would not be the same without you in it.
You are one of the most honest, stylish, ridiculous humans I know. I have so appreciated your help and advice over the years on all things baby and IVF related, registry help and bonding over bougie places to eat, fashion, and fitness. I love your zest for life, unapologetic nuggets of wisdom, and your huge heart. I can’t for our girls to become besties, because they have no choice really! I know our little gal will be following Carlin all around soon enough and the guys will finally start golfing together, I’m sure of it!
Jimmy's brother and younger doppelgänger. Between their love of family, baseball, world travel, hiking and sweets (in that order), they have been through thick and thin together since the day Tom was born. Jim has no higher compliment for a friend than calling him "brother", and his relationship with Tom is the reason why. Of course we wanted Tommy front and center on our big day!
MAF has known Jim literally since before he was born, watching his pregnant mother ski (first trimester!) on one of their many family houseboat trips together. They have shared so many adventures together in the years since, from camping in the Sierras, skiing in Mammoth, hiking Utah slot canyons, getting stuck in the only quicksand in North America and watching the Dodgers claim yet another World Championship. As the oldest brother himself, MAF became the older brother Jim never had and his easy going and fun loving attitude have always served as an inspiration for the man Jim wants to be.
The Aklman and Jim have been the best of friends since Nick moved to the U.S. as a teenager from Lebanon and Jim was fortunate enough to meet him in Troop 504. They shared many adventures on the trail and in the city in the years since, climbing to the highest peak in the lower 48 states, surviving both landslide and quicksand, restoring a '72 Camaro, hitting the slopes in Mammoth, catching and cooking trout in the Sierras and burning rubber in Gran Turismo while kicking it in the Garage Days. While time and family commitments mean they see each other less and less often, their souls remain linked as true brothers.
From the first time they met, Jim and Jefferson bonded over Marvel, Lego, Harry Potter, music, Jeopardy, and eating delicious food together. Out on a walk one time from Woodbine, J & J were laughing over some obscure inside joke when Jefferson said "he gets me", one of the top compliments he could give and one that has stuck with Jim to this day. Jim also loves that Jefferson shops at the most exclusive thrift shop in Santa Monica, as he fits into the threads Jim wore back in (and saved since) his High School and College days. Jefferson always plays DJ when Jim drives him in the car, and has introduced Jim to a wide swath of modern tunes, some of which you'll no doubt hear at the wedding. Their relationship solidified Tara knowing that Jim was The One as their love and mutual respect is a beautiful thing to witness.
