Picking groomsmen has been far and away my least favorite part of the entire wedding process. I don't like to pick favorites and I don't like to rank things outside the world of sports. I have never answered the question of "who is your best friend?" with a name because I don't have one and I like to keep it that way. I also don't like to put a limit on the number of friends or close friends that I have, which is exactly what I'm forced to do in this situation. So although I'm proud and honored to have these guys up there with me, I know that there are many more that could and in a lot of ways should be right there with them. These are the guys that I've done life with for the past 27 years and will keep on "lifing" with in the future.
Brent | Best Man
This was the one easy decision that I had during this whole process. Brent's been my brother for as long as I can remember. That's because he was born before I was. We've gone through hell, high water and great times. We also managed to compete against and with each other all along the way. I defy anyone to find a better Wi-Kart player in all the land. Brent's a Pastor and the first thing I asked him is whether he would prefer to be the best man or officiate the wedding. Since I already told you he's the best man, you know what he chose. I can't blame him, because we both know it's going to be a great party and he wants to make sure that he can fully enjoy it. That and he's never done a wedding before so he would prefer to mess up someone else's first.
BROTHER BRENT, SISTER-IN-LAW JEN, SISTER-IN-LAW SANDY, BROTHER MATT, SISTER STEPHANIE, AND ME. 2009.
Matt | Groomsman
Matt is the youngest of the three brothers and he had to pay for it all the ways that you think they should. The things you should be thinking about are constant beat downs. Of course, it's only natural that he now should have more than the combined strength of both Brent and I. Needless to say, the beatings stopped a while back once we realized that we would probably be on the receiving end. Matt's always been a guy that knows what he wants and then gone out and got it. He knew when he found his lady, so he married her. He knew he wanted to be an air traffic controller, so he played flight simulators and started college before graduating high school. He got it. He wanted the Tigers to win the World Series and they went out and won 2 in 6 years. What's that? Oh, I guess they lost both of em. Oops.
Josh | Groomsman
In all my years of knowing him, I've never once had the thought "I wonder what Josh thinks about this?" That's not because I don't value his opinion but because he'll let you know regardless of whether you like it or not. That's exactly the way I want it too. I know that I'm getting the real deal every time and can get rid of the guessing games. If I need genuine advice, I know where to get it and I know he'll shoot me straight. The same can't always been said about the "facts" in all his stories. Don't get me wrong, they're entertaining and always based on something. Just don't get too caught up in details of what "actually happened."
CHARLIE AND CO. FOR HIS WEDDING IN 2009
Charlie | Groomsman
Outside of my brothers, Char and I go back about as long as anyone. Starting all the way back in elementary school when I think about my best memories, chances are pretty high that he was there. He was also the catalyst of putting together the best of my college years. He was determined to convince myself and 6 of our friends to move out of where ever we were living and all rent a house together. Thus the Fat Cat on Garfield was born. The house wasn't nice and it wasn't clean, but it held some epic parties and some of the best conversations we've ever had.
Kyle | Groomsman
Had Kyle been born in ancient Greece he probably would have been a great philosopher right up there with Plato and Socrates. Ask Kyle what he's thinking about and you'll never really know what the answer might be. You might hear about his fascination with the human brain or how to try to use a school of fish in a marriage proposal. Let's put it this way, if I had to put together a short list of people to grab a brew with and talk about the world Kyle would be right at the top.
Kevin | Groomsman
KEVIN & CO. AT HIS WEDDING LAST YEAR
If you go by the rule of living together for more than 7 years Kevin and I could just about be legally married. We began our college life together in the dorms at AQ and 3 different houses, 20 different roommates, and 8 years down the road we were still living together right up until the time that he realized that living with a girl provides benefits that I can't match and got married. Kev is one of the most consistently nice guys you'll ever meet. I don't think I've ever seen him pass up the opportunity to provide a favor. He's the undisputed MVP of our softball team and knows the rap genre like nobody's business.
Nate | Groomsman & Usher
NATE AND CO. AT HIS WEDDING IN 2009
Deep down inside, alright so not even that far deep down, I'm a pretty big nerd. Nate's also a pretty big nerd and we get along great. If I need a recommendation or a discussion on an epic fantasy novel I know who to talk to. Nate has telling me about Game of Thrones long before it was cool and was equally disappointed after we watched the culmination of the Matrix series together. Nate's a guy that I make a point to hang out with when he's free and he's also a guy that knows the answer to every question, whether or not he knows the answer to the questions. Naturally, being doctor is the perfect profession for him.
Timm | Groomsman & Usher
Through the last 5 years of my life, Timm and I probably have more stories together than anyone. We've roamed the streets of GR, Milwaukee, Chicago, Miami, NYC and DC. We've hitchhiked our way after getting stranded at a bachelor party and slept at a gas station. We've flown 14 hours each from different places to meet up in Shanghai and we've spent countless hours with nothing but a porch and a beer. Timm's never heard of a trip that he didn't like and I can tell you from experience that they've all been trips worth taking.
Jason | Groomsman & Usher
Jason won't be the brother that I never had because I obviously already have 2, but he will be my only brother-in-law. He's Nichole's only sibling and lives in their hometown of Schoolcraft. We haven't had the opportunity to spend a ton of time together outside of family functions, however since we both share an interest in golf and beer among other things I'm quite confident that this will change. Even sounds like I'll have the chance to dethrone Jason and Nichole's dad, Chris, in an upcoming annual beer pong tournament. That's a bonding opportunity if I've ever seen one!
{ J.M.K. }