 Maid of Honor, Younger Sister and BFF – Jamie (Jaym)(J-Marci) (Rat) Marciante
Four years apart in age has made for an interesting 25 years of sisterly togetherness. (Ha – you turn 25 years old this year old woman!) The early years consisted of Barbie play dates, with Jamie’s dolls always sporting interesting haircuts and Crayola marker make-up jobs while mine were always blonde, prim and proper, wearing high heels and dating Ken. Stuffed animals could be found in every nook and cranny of the house, usually ending up back in the “hidey hole” down below the bunk beds. And they all could talk. No really, they could! In the summer, we’d stay outside all day long. It’s pretty tough to play kickball with just two participants, but we made it work! Oh and who can forget the Christmas vacation Nintendo all-nighters? Donkey Kong and Mario didn’t stand a chance with us in charge! But then, we started to grow up and sadly, grow apart. I went away to college while Jamie suffered through those horrible years of teenage angst. When she needed me most I was bonging beers, working hard to make it to my 8:00 a.m. classes and finally discovering who I was as a person. I think back and wish I could have been there to help her through it. As everyone knows, junior high and high school ain’t no picnic. No worries, however! This tale of sisterly love does have a happy ending! As I moved to Virginia to begin my life as an adult (begrudgingly so), Jamie started college, kicked ass at Penn State and found a job near me – one of the best things to ever happen! I don’t know that I would have survived down here much longer without my sister by my side. While we are busy and have our own lives, just knowing she is right upstairs in our spare bedroom makes this transient town feel a bit more like home. Make note, however, you will never ever again find us sporting matching Sears Pretty Plus outfits. No How. No Way. Never Again! Thank you, Jamie for standing up for me as my Maid of Honor. I expect your speech to bring down the Veritas Ballroom. Get busy!
 Bridesmaid (Ok really, Matron of Honor) – Dr. Betsy (Bets) Dovec (Doveckie) Wik
I will never forget the day I met Betsy on the 7th floor of Pennypacker Hall . I was asked to stop in and watch her roommate Leah’s beauty pageant video and listen to them discuss their old pageant days. (I know, right?...Yeah, to be honest, I wasn’t so sure about this at the beginning either! ) Lucky for us, soon became a friendship full of weekend sleeping until 3 in the afternoon, greasy Big Onion dinners, cutting in line at the Loop Stop and Penn State football games complete with paw print face tattoos and pom-poms. And did I mention our attempt at scalping tickets? Hey, we all thought we were headed to the National Championship! Tickets were a hot item that year! Throughout the next three years of college, we grew up, grew together, grew apart…and always managed to find a way to fit back into each other’s lives. Betsy went on to medical school at Marshall while I joined the workforce, both of us trying to do the best to stay in touch and keep up. While those get-togethers were few and far in-between, they always managed to be chock full of hilarious memories that neither one of us will ever forget. No one does 90 on a donut to Hilton Head Island and lays out in 50 degree weather hoping to get some semblance of a tan and doesn’t stay friends! It just doesn’t happen. So when Betsy happened to be in D.C. for a conference, I jumped at the chance to spend what was to be sure a ridiculous, crazy event enjoying good food and a few cocktails. During this trip I learned that Betsy had met someone that she was head over heels nuts about, Aaron, who last October became her husband. I credit this D.C. reunion for bringing us back together again, and I’m so happy that it happened. In your life, you just don’t come across too many people that you can sit with, pour your heart out to over and over again and never fear judgment. And then, turn around and have you laughing so hard that you pee your pants (no worries, Betsy has already long peed in hers!). I feel very lucky to have a friend like Betsy. Even when you haven’t talked for days, weeks, months..it’s like you saw each other yesterday. Thank you for being there during this joyous time in my life. I can’t begin to describe how fortunate I feel to have you be part of my wedding. I also can’t wait for the speech throwdown during the reception between you and Jamie. Besides the make-up, it will definitely be the highlight of the night!
 Best Man - Randy Hamling (Putz)
What is the definition of a real friend? Someone you can drink beer with (Old Milwaukee)? Someone you'd trust hovering over a small hole on top of 15" of ice? While Randy has certainly done both of those--he's also done so much more as a friend. The two of us met in the summer of 1999 before our Senior year in high school. The University of Minnesota-Morris campus hosts an annual series of classes: one for those interested in 'soft' sciences and one for those interested in more practical sciences. While Randy and I had different interests we immediately struck a bond that can best be summed as small-town South Dakota friendship. After the time in Morris I figured we'd be on different paths since college was approaching. While I thought I'd be heading out-of-state for college, the reality of cost came into play and I made a late-minute decision to return to Morris. Well, little did I know that Randy was also going back to Morris as well!
It didn't take long for the two of us to realize we both returned to Morris; and so the adventures started of how we could find ways to 'enhance' our college experience. I would highly recommend watching the movie 'Grumpy Old Men' to get an idea of our friendship. The first summer after our freshman year Randy and I lived together in Morris. While my inflatable mattress was something to be desired, the statue of beer cans and endless fishing in a small duck boat could not be undervalued. Side note: do not underestimate the power of pissed-off carp when you're in a small duck boat. From that time on Randy and I have always remained close friends. One interesting night during my sophomore year I thought it'd be funny to return to my freshman dorm and see the lucky person who now lived there. A quiet girl by the name of Mel answered the door and she quickly deduced who I was. Little did I know that Mel and I would be meeting again. A couple weeks later Randy told me he wanted to introduce me to this girl he met and thought she was the 'one.' Yep--that was a great second introduction when Mel and I saw each other!
Before their wedding Randy and Mel were gracious enough to visit me during my first months after I moved to DC. It really meant a lot to have them visit, as the move was a huge decision to be far away from all my family and friends. I was lucky enough to later stand as Randy's best man when he married Mel. Since then Randy and Mel have been blessed with their first child, Braelyn. Believe me when I say this: if you have not met Randy you must add this to your 'to do' list in life. Oh, and if you need a good chiropractor please don't be afraid to ask Randy (he didn't pay me for that plug)!
Thanks for always being there for me and my family Randy. It's people like you and your family that make it hard living so far away. While I might have taken it easy during your best-man speech, I would be shocked for you to follow in suit. Note to those at the wedding--supplying Randy with extra alcohol will definitely guarantee a great time! Can't wait to see you Putz!
 Groomsman - Jordan Bohm
While attending college it's a necessity to seek out those houses with the best parties and try to become instant friends. Sometimes it works and sometimes it develops into something more. The latter would be how I'd describe Jordan. It might have been the college freshman awe, but I knew Jordan was both a great party host and a generous friend. Even if he never planned on having a party, you could show-up and within 30 minutes there'd be a small cadre ready to go.
As a quick background story, during my freshman year Randy lived on the same floor as Jackie. I soon became friends with Jackie as well. However, little did we all know that Jordan and Jackie would start dating. During that first summer in Morris the four of us also enjoyed the lakes when J&J bought a boat--not a duck boat--one that you could ski behind. Word to the wise--you don't see boats painted black for a reason (unless they below to the US military). I was also lucky enough to live above J&J at the lovely Key Row Apartments in Morris. Nothing says luxury like low-income housing--hey, at least we never had insect or bug problems and the heat was paid for. Jordan enjoys the sci-fi and similar video games. If it's 2am and you think Jordan's sleeping--think again. I give him credit for trying to explain Lord of the Rings to me (along with enjoying several bottles of wine). Unfortunately the wine only made following along worse for me.
After I returned from my internship in DC my senior year I needed a place to crash for two weeks before graduation. I didn't have to ask because J&J had invited me to squeeze into their one-bedroom apartment. While living out of one large box and two suitcases I immediately knew J&J were also great friends to have. They too were gracious enough to come visit me in DC on numerous occassions. While Jackie was going to podiatry school in Cleveland she spend a month living with Jenn and I for an internship in DC. Jordan came to visit a couple times and helped celebrate our first house purchase by throwing a large party (ok, 'large' might be an under statement).
Jordan was thoughtful enough and asked me to stand as a groomsman when he married Jackie. Whenever I go back to MSP I can always count on J&J offering us a place to stay. Oh, if you ever have an IT-related question Jordan is the first person you should ask. His knowledge on programming and computers in general will scare you. Thanks Jordan for also being a great friend. I look forward to hopefully spending more time with all of you in the future!
 Groomsman - Taylor Mohr
Although I'm an only child, I sometimes felt the closest thing I had to a sibling was my cousin, Taylor. While I'm sure he can now kick my ass and probably drink more than me, I'm not ashamed to admit it. I can always say I was the first person to drop him on his head as a baby (hopefully that's not signs of things to come for potential parenthood).
I started to see Taylor differently (and knew he was grown up) when he attended my college graduation. Apparently some people in the hotel thought our party was a bit too loud and some of Morris' finest instructed everyone to leave the hotel. A couple minutes later nobody could find Taylor. Yep--that Einstein thought he was included in the group of people who had to leave, so he was going to depart with the college people. Almost made it there Edgar!
Dave, Stacy and Taylor were kind enough to make the drive out and visit us two years ago (wow, that long ago)! While flying is typically the preferred method, it's easier to bring 2 cases of Michelob Golden Draft Light in the trunk. All three of them experienced the DC traffic and the many sites to see. Too bad that free bag of shrimp you got couldn't have been 20 lbs of steaks! Seeing Taylor graduate from high school last year was really fun. Not that we ever doubted his abilities, but to me it showed how much he's grown. Both our mothers should be thankful the two of us aren't closer. Some of those retirement funds would have to go towards bail.
Nowadays when I return home for the holidays it's always a great time to jab Taylor about his current girlfriend(s) and college adventures. Unfortunately we don't have a bridesmaid for Taylor to escort down the aisle; however, he's lucky enough to escort 3....dogs! I figure the guys back in college will love that story.
Taylor is now serving in the South Dakota National Guard to proudly defend our country. Hopefully any potential activation will come after the wedding.
I look forward to seeing you T and having you part of our important day! |