"In 8th grade, I wrote Ashley a note inviting her to a church sleepover (the same church Justin attended growing up). "Friendship is weird. You pick a human you've met and you're like, "yup I like this one," and you just do stuff with them." Over 15 years of being best friends and we still like each other. We played sports in Junior High & High School together, we went on road trips and to concerts, we lived together in Virginia Beach, we pitched a tent (and slept) on a garage rooftop in Chicago , she was in my wedding (where she met Justin), and she is my son's godmother. She is an amazing person, a great friend, and I couldn't think of a better guy to share her with. I look forward to celebrating in Mexico!"

My brother – the boy who tattled on me every chance he could get, the sibling I fought with every day and yet was told “he will one day be your best friend”.

My brother – who I traveled the state yelling “two hands on the stick” as he skated down the ice.

My brother – the graduate who moved into my apartment along with his buddy who slept on a couch in his room leaving dirty feet stains on the wall.

My brother – the independent young man who packed up his Honda and moved across the country.

My brother – the homeowner and “celebrity pool boy” who lived for BBQ’s with his friends, football games, and the outdoors.

My brother – my best friend, the person who stood next to me on my wedding day, and the devoted uncle who moved back home to be a bigger part of his niece’s life.

Now that we’re grown-up, best friends, and of course the obvious “big sister” title, it was my job to ensure my brother was not going to date or marry someone I didn’t approve of….unfortunately for him I didn’t approve of anyone …until one day.

I couldn’t be happier for my brother and soon to be sister (let’s drop the “in-law”)! He is a man that loves with everything he is and believes if you’re not going to do it right, it’s not worth doing it at all. Lucky for him, he found the right woman.