Meet the Bridal Party

Bridesmaids, Groomsmen & Chuppa Holders!

Many people will go through life without ever finding a best friend.  We are blessed with a group of best friends that feel like an extension of our family.  They say, “you know an individual by the company one keeps.” If that is the case, then we couldn’t be happier.

Bridesmaids

Julia Bank - Like many girls, I decided to choose my "sister" as my Maid of Honor. I have known (and adored) Julia since I was 3 1/2 years old (I think we met when I threw sand at her). We grew up together in San Diego but we are legendary throughout North America--from the Yukon Territory, Canada to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico (fantastic stories!) These days Julia is living the high power corporate life in San Francisco while I'm on the opposite coast in Boston but despite time and distance Julia has been my rock-my most trusted and loyal friend. For about as long as I've dreamed of the day when I would marry my Prince Charming, I've dreamed about Julia being by my side!

Jamie Arslanian - One of my favorite Jamie stories is from August 10, 2007, that's right, a year to the date after David and I first met. I was waiting at the airport with Jamie so that we could take the last flight of the day to Nantucket and meet up with the rest of the Arslanian family. Having a little time on our hands, we went to the bar to have some drinks and popcorn. We were having a blast when I looked at the clock and realized our flight was taking off. I told Jamie to grab her bag and we started to run. Minutes later I turned to Jamie and instead of her luggage she had brought the popcorn bag! We couldn't stop laughing and though we did make our flight to ACK, I spent the flight over thinking about how I almost spent my anniversary with Jamie instead of David! I feel very fortunate that the sister of the man I love isn't just somebody I can get along with, she is someone that I love, that I would want as a friend, and I'm ecstatic will be my new sister.

Kristin Laraja - Kristin more than anyone else could tell you how much I disliked Boston when I first arrived. I thought the weather was cold, and the people were colder. I met Kristin the first day of orientation of medical school and I knew instantly I had met my soul mate. Without her, its doubtful I would have learned to love the seasons, I definitely would not have learned to love the people, and I probably wouldn't have finished medical school! I can safely say that Kristin and I enjoyed medical school as much as anyone can enjoy medical school. Our adventures led us from New York, to Puerto Rico, and throughout Boston. I must say though, that one of the best adventures we ever took was to celebrate her birthday at Dali during first year. It was there that we met someone who has become one of my best friends and her future husband, Chris Dallas! I've always considered Kris and Chris my "family" here in Boston (even though they technically live in Providence now, where Kris is a resident in Pediatrics at Brown).

Kathleen Chen - Kat was the first person I met when I moved to Boston. I saw her walking towards the dorms-very laid back, cool, and kinda funky and I knew first off that she must be from Southern California (which she was) and that we must become best friends (which we did)! Kat and I also enjoyed med school to the fullest and share great memories in many, many, time zones. I addition to thanking Kat for being one of the most supportive and reliable friends, I also am very grateful that she is the daring, bold, confident, beautiful girl who decided to walk down Newbury St. on August 10, 2006 and do me the greatest favor of all. These days sassy Kat is gracing NYC with her presence as an anesthesiology resident at Cornell. But I'm crossing my fingers that she decides to return to good old Boston (our Baseball team is much better anyway).

Jessica Selander - Although Jessie and I have been friends since the beginning of medical school, I really got closest to her during our awesome fourth year. We may have been considered interchangeable twins at the hospital (long story) but outside the hospital we were a dynamic duo, living up the single life in Boston. Indeed, it was because of Jessie, that I was venturing out to Back Back that fateful August 10th summer night in 2006 when I met David (well actually Kat met David but you can read more about that on the how we met page). Jessie is an amazing girl and a great friend and though I'm sad that she moved away to pursue her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology, I'm happy at least that she moved away to San Diego! We look forward to her return.

Tracey Shushan - Shortly after David and I started dating, I was introduced to Tracey at a bar in Cambridge. Although I heard that Tracey was David's great "screener of girlfriends" kinda the equivalent to my cousin Steve, I feared not, knowing instantly that we would be great friends. In the same way that it felt like I have somehow known David my whole life, Tracey has become one of those friends I've felt I known far longer than we really have. Tracey's husband Alex is an orthopedic surgery resident and by the way, NOT the guy I was looking at while walking down Newbury St. : ) They're been a great resource and inspiration as David and I have made the transition from life together in paradise (4th year of med school) to life in prison (1st year of residency). These days Tracey and Alex have their hands full with the birth of their handsome son Scott.

Natasha Barragan - Although Tasha and I are cousins we really didn't meet until we were quite older...but we've been making up for lost time ever since. One of my favorite times each year is seeing Natasha and her boyfriend Brad and the rest of the Barragan clan at our Mexican Thanksgiving. Since Tash is about the sweetest, most sensible, loyal, and genuine girl I've met, I'd like to adopt her as my kid sister.

Suzanne Lieb - Although I met Suzanne a few times when David and I first started dating, I got to know Suzanne best when she moved up to Boston. Besides being David's cousin, Suzanne was an excellent roommate and has become a fantastic friend. Zanni is one of those vibrant, energetic people, who can always make me smile. Suzanne is a real jet setter, always on the move, but when she's in town, David and I really look forward to double dating with her boyfriend Mark. And by far, I cherish most, our lazy Sundays spent together in Belmont.

Groomsmen

Seth Malamut (Best Man) - When you see Seth at the wedding, just ask him one question, "why didn't you follow your Cousin when the police showed up?'… It is a question I ask myself all the time! There are a few people that just make you laugh and smile when you see them and Seth is that person for me. Although we are not "officially" brothers, I have always, and will /always consider him one. Thankfully, Seth has found a wonderful soul mate in Elizabeth Saggesse, whom he will marry in June 08' (and I am proud to be his Best Man in their wedding).

Alex Shushan - Alex (and his brother David) and I met about a day or two after we were born! With our parents living seven blocks away from each other, we spent our formative years together (0-3 years old). We did not re-connect again until sometime in middle school. Fortunately, we haven't skipped a beat since then! If you read the "How Anna and I Met" piece of this website, you will see the important part he played in Anna and I meeting! He has been married to another fantastic bridal party attendant, Tracey, for 2+ years and they have a handsome new son Scott!

Ben Schlatka - One fateful night about 10 years ago, Chris Wey (another one of the groomsmen) made the decision to invite Ben (a co-worker of his) to a party at the house where Chris and I were living. Trust me when I say that it feels like Ben has never left the party! As the "apostle of truth" Ben often finds himself 'telling me what I need to hear' (or just the 'truth' in many cases). I still have a hangover from that party, but lucky for me, I will have Ben as a friend for a long time to yell at for that night. Fortunately, Ben is also in the good graces of a wonderful woman, Shirley, whom he married in June of 07'.

Cameron Taylor - One day, Cameron got kicked out of his apartment in Philadelphia and he needed a place to crash for couple of weeks while trying to find a new place... Well, he ended up staying a couple of years and a great friendship was formed! As one of Dave's most resourceful friends, he helped construct a bar in the basement of Dave's house in Pennsylvania. This earned him a top spot on Dave's list of people he could use for future house projects! Fortunately when David moved back to Boston, Cameron decided to move there as well. This turned out to be a very fortunate move for Cameron because he met Erin, (a lucky find for him) whom he will marry in June this year.

Chris Wey - In between trips down to Cape Cod with Jimmy, Chris and I had English Class together. But when I wasn't going down to the Cape with Jim, Chris and I were going to Dunkin D's to pick up coffee and doughnuts for our English Class! As you will find out, Chris, Matt and I drove across country when we were 19 years old (after I somehow graduated High School). That was just the beginning of a long road together. Chris has always kept me focused and on track, even though I tried to knock Chris off the track! After a summer in France, Chris came back to tell me that he had found his soul mate in a beautiful girl named Valerie. After 7 years of marriage, they now have two beautiful girls Alexine and Camille.

David Shushan - David (and his brother Alex)... Before we go any further, did you know that Alex and David are twin's? Contrary to popular belief, I could tell them apart from day one!. (Test me at any time!) David and I used to head down to Nantucket and enjoy the great beaches and night-life. I was incredibly lucky; not only did I have a great cousin in David (and Alex) but also a great friend. Fortunately, his crazy consulting jobs brought him down to Philly a couple of times and we managed to have a little fun down there. He also managed to find a fantastic woman named Jamie, whom he married in 2006. Officially becoming the SECOND Jamie and David in the Family!

Jim Kaloyanides - It is a true story that Jim and I never graduated from Cub Scouts. I mean it. Literally, we are still in Cub Scouts. They won't let us graduate to Boy Scouts. They said our 'maturity' level was not up to par… And in case you were wondering, Jim's mom and my mom were the Cub Scout Leaders! Jim and I used to 'borrow' Alex and David's car during High School and drive an hour or so down to Cape Cod for a relaxing time on the beach during English Class. Between spending all that time in a car and a bar, he was lucky enough to find a wonderful woman, Courtney, whom he married in 2006.

Lucio Silvestri - David was fortunate enough to meet Lucio somewhere between 1st and 2nd grade during a kickball game. Actually, I can't come close to remembering when we met... Needless to say, he has been a great friend for as long as I care to remember! Lucio and I would have breakfast at his home every morning and then walk to school. Anyone who knows Lucio can tell you how great the conversations would be each day on that walk. Of course the best conversation we ever had was when Lucio told me he met his wife Keri, who, to say the least, has been wonderful for him!

Matt Christensen - If there is something Matt and I both believe, it is that we had known each other a long time before we ever met in person. Matt and I really 'met' for the first time somewhere around the 6th grade. Throw in a road trip across the U.S. for 6 weeks (crammed in a car with Chris Wey and I), and you have the recipe for one of two things - total blood shed or the beginnings of a phenomenal friendship. Happily, for all of us, the latter of those two happened! He is a steadfast friend that will always find time for me and I am fortunate to be his friend. To top it all off, Matt found a beautiful bride, Elizabeth, and they have 2 beautiful girls, Madeline and Gretchen!

Chuppah Holders!

Paul Cervantes - As you know, David and I didn't know a thing about one another when we had our first date. We weren't from the same part of the USA, we didn't work or study in the same fields, but one thing we did have in common is that we both thought being a big brother or a big sister was one of most important roles in our lives. So I guess it goes without saying that one of the greatest days of my life has been the day that Paul was born. He is the most loyal, true, pure of heart person I've ever met and a fantastic brother. Paul recently got a job with Ernst and Young here in Boston, so come June we'll be re-united again as roommates!

Danny Cervantes - The only thing greater in life than having one fantastic little brother is to have two! How does one describe Danny... Danny is a comedian who can make me laugh even in the hardest times (just ask him the muffin joke). He is sweet as a lamb and a very loving brother. Although I miss him very much I'm very proud that my creative, bold, strong-willed, rock star brother is shaking things up in LA!

Steve Barragan - Although we are just cousins, there seems to be a special bond that Stevie and I share where he always seems to know how I'm feeling even when no one else does, we are kindred spirits. He also isn't too bad keeping up with me on Tequila shots. Stevie has been like an older brother to me and my loyal defender (ask him about the holes in his backyard).

Ben Lieb - Ben is king of his domain, master of his world, but STILL can't box his older cousin out! It's been a great pleasure passing along the little lessons you learn growing up to Ben. Whether it was teaching him how to drive a stick shift, or how to play quarters, the real fun about having a younger brother is often what he taught me... and that he has the distinct ability to 'keep me honest' about my age!