Ashley is my niece, friend, planner of fun and always up for doing fun girly things. (I'm a mom of 3 great boys, but I am so very girly!) Since I am a teacher in the inner city I have found Ashley's knowledge of the younger crowd invaluable - helping me stay up to date with teenagers and knowing what is cool and what is not! Ashley has lived in Pasadena, California the last 5 years and I have missed her dearly! I am so thrilled she has moved back to Ohio and lives close again! Ashley has helped with planning the wedding and I am so grateful for her and that she has a part in our special day.

Azizi is a dear friend and neighbor that only lives 3 doors down from my house! We both are "boy" moms and we both have a son named ZANE! The last few years Azizi and I have grown very close. Walking and talking in the neighborhood or sitting on my front porch sharing life. I am so lucky to have such a positive friend full of wisdom and fun that lives so close. She was there in the early days of Dan and I dating and she has been a big Dan fan. Always good to have an honest friend that walks beside you in the journey of life.

Sara is a neighbor that lives 6 houses down. She has been such an encouragement since she moved in almost 10 years ago. Im so grateful for her friendship and her faith that is a constant encouragement to me. I have to mention all the parties Sara has attended at my house. Girls Christmas parties, Cinco de Mayo parties, Easter, at Thanksgiving neighborhood Friendsgiving, New Years eve Parties, Birthday parties, Halloween parties and many more. Sara has two boys and even though they are much younger than mine we have done a lot together. Taken our boys Strawberry picking, flown kites on the street during Covid, played basketball, kickball, whiffle ball and drawn chalk drawings together. Sara is someone who's faith in God is really beautiful. She never judges and is always so refreshing to talk to. She is such an encouragement and she is always there when I need her. She and her husband Derrick were such an encouragement to me as well. They really are best friends and really love each other. It always gave me hope, if there are a few really healthy relationships like theirs in the world -there is hope for us all! Lately, Sara and Derrick have been cooking with her sons and I am often invited to try a new dish! I am grateful for Sara's wisdom too. She is such a great friend to walk and talk and get advice how to wisely handle a situation. Im a lucky neighbor!

I met Connie at a group called Celebrate Recovery. A wonderful 12 step support group at a church nearby. Connie is sunshine and roses. She is a mentor and a friend and she truly understands when I start speaking in metaphors. She is such a beautiful Jesus lover. You can tell her anything and she will not judge you at all. And if you have something that is deeply bothering you she will faithfully pray. As my oldest, Alex went through chemo treatments last year, I could always count on Connie to pray diligently for him. So grateful for her friendship and prayers. And so grateful Alex is in remission. Connie has been a friend that has helped me grow as well. I can have the deepest conversations with her. She truly is someone you can call and talk about anything. Connie has a beautiful peaceful lake house on Indian Lake that is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. It is a little slice of heaven. She graciously let me take the boys there last summer as Alex was going through chemo treatments. It was such a wonderful peaceful time. Alex was still fighting cancer and he was so happy drinking coffee right by the gorgeous lake. Connie has the youngest heart I know. And she LOVES to dance! I am so glad she accepted mt invitation to be in my wedding. And I cant wait to dance with her at the reception!

So I met Wendy at Crossroads Church Mom's Group. She has three girls and I have three boys! Wendy is that friend that really loves your kids. I am so grateful she does. We actually went to the beach with our kids and it was really fun! Wendy and her family love games and we do too! Our families had the best time playing board games at the beach together! We got really close when our youngest kids Roey and Zane were going into 7th grade. She asked if I wanted to walk at a local park. Our babies were growing up too fast! Wendy is a great walking and talking friend that never judges you. She is the most patient mom I think I have ever met and she loves her kids with all her heart. You dont have to parent long to understand it is really hard sometimes. But having a friend like Wendy, no matter what you tell her, she loves your children just the same. She never acts funny or different around them, just constant love. Grateful for such a friend that will prayer for your own kids as fervently and lovingly as she prayers for her own.

So Donna and I go wayyyyyy back, like 30 years. I met her at church when I lived in North Carolina before Alex was born. She and I found ourselves alone in life and very young single moms. Somehow we found love and fun and friendship in one of my darkest times. We both tried to "do things in the right order" as we were taught to, married, kids and then we found ourselves divorced. Life throws curve balls all the time, but we were so young we did not know what hit us. It is no surprise to God and I really believe God brought us together. Donna's friendship during one of the darkest times in my life, when I was so young, was like sunshine in the dark and brought such friendship, love and hope. Iron sharpens iron and we learned to be good young mommas together. Putting our kids first and rising to the occasion to parent, many times being both the mom and the dad, we parented the best we knew how. We have stayed in touch over the years and when we get together it is like no time has passed at all. When I look back in life, I am so grateful God sent me Donna. I sure needed her. Girl friendships can lift you and encourage you and fill you with the courage to do things you never thought you could.

I have known Dwane since I was 16yrs old (38 years…Wow!). We met back in high school as he was always in my homeroom. We started hanging out through other friends (James). He was big into playing guitar and loved Metallica and I liked rap music. He & James pulled me into the metal world. I always wanted to play the drums and after a few years of hanging out, he said, if you get some drums, you could play with us. (Needless to say, that is how I got into drumming) We played together forever and will still get together to this day and jam! We both love to crank up music and rock out! We have always been best of friends, and I was the best man in his wedding, so I am glad he agreed to be my best man in mine! I consider him a close brother I never had.

I have known James since I was 16 yrs old as well. We were in a few classes together in high school and started hanging out when his girlfriend was friends with my girlfriend. He was already friends with Dwane, and they would play music together as he played the Bass. Eventually we all started a band and have been best of friends ever since. We are both big Michigan sport fans (Go Blue!), love NFL and fantasy football. I consider him as one of my brothers as we have been friends now going on 40 yrs.

I have known George since 5th grade. We used to play the old handheld electronic football game together at recess 😊. We didn’t hang out as much in high school but once we graduated, we hung more through other friends. He would sing anything he heard on the radio and when we were looking for a vocalist for our band I suggested asking George. He eventually joined the band, and we have hung together ever since. We both love the same music, movies, hacking up golf courses, and most importantly craft beer. George is a good friend and another one of my brothers.

Alex is Jennifer's oldest son and I have only known him for 3 1/2 years. Alex was able to join my friends and I for a weekend at Red River Gorge for my bachelor party and he fit right in. I asked Alex if I could marry his mom before I asked Jennifer to marry me. Jennifer says I was very brave, because if anyone of her sons would have said no, it would have been Alex! (Ha!) Thankfully he said YES! Alex will be walking Jennifer down the aisle at the wedding.

Jack is Jennifer's middle son. Jack was the first son to really joke with me and break the ice. Not long after I met Jack he began chiding me about being short (I'm 5' 9 1/2 and Jack is 6'7) Jennifer was mortified at Jack's teasing, but I took care of it and we often exchanged friendly banter about each other's height. I had to explain to Jennifer that that is what dude's do. 😂

Zane is Jennifer's youngest son. He is studying to be a Mechanical Engineer, which is ironic because I am a mechanical engineer. Also, Zane chose the University of Dayton, which is also ironic because when I graduated from high school I got accepted at UD and really wanted to go there. I ended up getting my degree elsewhere, but it is really neat to visit the college when visiting her boys. All three of Jennifer's son's played or play college football. And we now watch Jack and Zane on the weekends in the fall play college ball. I love football and it's nice that her boys do too.

Vera is my flower girl. She is my Great Niece and my niece, Ashley's daughter. I am very excited for her to be in my wedding. It is so uncanny how much Vera looks like her mom at the same age. Vera loves the movie "Frozen", especially ANNA and she also loves the movie "Tangled" which is one of my personal favorites as well! It very special to have her in the wedding with her mom.

Milo is my Great Nephew and he is my niece, Alyssa's oldest little boy. He is 3! He likes pizza and cars and he is quite entertaining. Milo is a new big brother. He and Vera are cousins. I love the though of cousins walking down the isle. Milo does live in California on an Airforce base with his parents. There is a chance he will not make it to the wedding, but he is the most charming little 3 year old, I had to hold the spot for him regardless.

David is my nephew and we have asked him to be the DJ for our wedding. I am so glad he accepted. Ive always wanted to dance at my wedding ( I never have!) and I am thrilled to be able to truly celebrate and dance. He's the perfect man for the job! David was often my son's babysitter when they were growing up. My sons absolutely love him! He was fun and played with them and had wonderful cousin time when David came over to babysit. So glad David is a part of our special day!