The boys are back in town.....

Jared Gainey - The Best Man
Jared has been my sidekick and partner in crime since Jr. High. We instantly clicked in our 7th grade Biology class as discussed hunting, baseball, and girls. Who knew 15 years later most of our conversations consist on the same things! Whether it was at church camp, riding four wheelers at the river, or chasing some type of animal, a lot of my most fond memories were made with him by my side. He has an angel of a wife and a couple boys that are sure to pay him back for some of the things we did coming up!

Wade Luther
Wade and I have been buddies since I can remember. We grew up as neighbors in hood of E-Rock! Wade has been my big brother from the word go. He has always been a great role model for me and I am proud to call him my brother (from another mother). He has always stepped up and made the best of the curve balls that life has thrown his way, for that alone, he is one of the best men I have ever known. Wade has a couple great gals in his life, his wife Crystal and his daughter Hailey. I feel sorry for Wade and Crystal, as Hailey grows she continues to get even prettier. Just keep her away from Jared’s cousins buddy!

Morgan (Mo) McKinney
Ol’ Mo and I met while we were attending Fish and Wildlife school in the mountains of NC. Even though we only spent one semester in school together, we became very close in those few months. After graduation we headed to the mid west where we worked as hunting guides for a deer season. Our friendship grew as we made our dreams come true that season while guiding on some of the best hunting land in north america. Mo is as solid of a guy as you will ever meet. He had to be to snag a girl like his wife Summer. These two have filled their mountain home with three kids that they live for.

Troy Sitton
T-Roy is without a doubt the All American guy. The Dennis the Menace in his blood stream never fails to hide for too long! Whether he is climbing a rock just to repel down, hitting a walk off homerun to win the game, or playing a drinking game, he goes hard! Cass asked me one day  if I liked her brother and I answered, “Are you kidding me, I want to be your brother!” Even though bad luck seems to step in front of him quite often, Troy always seems to push it aside and continue to blaze his our trail. I look forward to many more holidays and vacations together with him as they are never dull!

Trip Roark
As a little brother I have always been protective of my big sister, Trip made this easy for me as he swept my sister off of her feet. He fit right into out family and has been the best brother in law a fella could ask for. I don’t know which one of his jobs is tougher….teaching a classroom of little kids or keeping my sister happy? He makes them both look pretty easy and still has time to sing Vanilla Ice to their little princess Riley! I am truly proud to call him my brother.

The Fab Five

One of the most exciting things about this whole wedding thing is the arrival of my 5 bests from all over North America.  We have one from Canada, one from Ohio, two from Indiana and one from NC, and they are all coming to Zebulon to party it up with me and J-Bomb.  So, here, in no particular order (beside Mel, cause the MOH has to be first!), are the FAB FIVE!

_________________________________________________________________________________

Melissa Moore - BC, Canada

Impromptu dance party

Mel is probably responsible for John and I getting together.  Actually, I think it's safe to say that she is absolutely responsible (the details of which are not appropriate for the written word, haha). We originally met during one very sketchy weekend in Virginia, and were reunited (cue sappy music) in the sorority house in Norwood, NC.  She kept me company on many 'front porch' nights, where we listened to the car wash buzzers (first sorority house), befriended the cats from across the street, Crack and Wack (second sorority house) and drank too much wine.  We shared some interesting times over at 'the shack' by the lake.  And who else could I rely on to indulge in pizza rolls and hot sauce at midnight with me?  She's been known to show up and surprise me just when I need for her to, and I'm sure she's gonna throw an AWESOME bachelorette party. 

__________________________________________________________________________________

Ronie Meer - Ohio

First weekend of friendship

Ronie and I got 'forced' into our friendship, one lonely year as Pony Club HM judges.  From the first night, our friendship was bound like glue, and we have been thisclose every since.  We've lived thru crazed Chief outbursts in Jalapeños, my many botched relationships, my rollercoaster of emotions regarding her one relationship :), and many other way-ups and way-downs of life.  Although we don't get to see each other, we stay thoroughly connected thru our frequent games of phone tag.  Ron is currently consumed with learning to become a vet - a venture that I hope is beneficial to me and my horses one day, as she is going to be awesome in that role! 

__________________________________________________________________________________

Kirby Ehler - Indiana

Too hot for words

Kirby and I were suite mates my sophomore year in college.  Although the entire floor thought I was stuck up at first, Kirby was cautiously optimistic, and soon everyone realized I wasn't that much of a snob. Kirby and I were known to share champaign celebrations, have some seriously bat**** crazy friends, get into minor amounts of trouble, and generally have a good time together.  I do have to say that Kirb's number is the only number I still occasionally get 3 am phone calls from, so I'm pretty jealous about her still living life like a 20-something year old.  :)  

__________________________________________________________________________________

Jayce Krentz - Indiana (or is it Illinois now?)

Our first marathon

(Jayce, if you had a Facebook account, then maybe I'd have better pics, so no complaining) Jayce and I lived on the same floor our Freshman year in college (and happened to have the same major).  Once again, the floor thought I was kind of stuck up (see a trend here?), until I recognized Jayce from one of my classes and asked her to run a marathon with me - yes a marathon, and no, she didn't look at me like I had 3 heads (for very long, anyway).  The rest is history!  She and I ran our first marathon together just a few days after completing our Freshman year, and our second one together was here in Raleigh (for which I didn't train.... really bad idea), where we had an article written about us in the Raleigh News & Observer about how much fun we were having (although we were in nearly last place).  That's kind of the trend with Jayce and I though - good times no matter what's going on around us. In a million years, I'd never have guessed that I would have attended Jayce's wedding before my own (serious relationship count since we've known eachother - me=4, Jayce=1), but she married our wonderful wedding photographer last year!

__________________________________________________________________________________

Melissa Roark - North Carolina

I thought for sure my Xmas socks wouldn't be in the pic

Last but not least is my soon-to-be sister-in-law.  I don't think I could ask for a better SIL, although I wasn't sure if she like me at first (or maybe thought I was a little too crazy). :)  I know how rough I can be on my brother's significant others (right, Sarah D. :)), and I was worried she wouldn't think I was up to her brother's standards. But I think she thinks I'm ok now.  I'm sure we will be making lots more memories as the years go on, and hopefully more Christmas margaritas (maybe next time Tripp won't be 'sick').