The Bride's Babes

I am so excited to be spending such an exciting time with some of the most special and important women in my life. Each of these gals have shaped me into the woman that I am today, and I can honestly say that I would not be where I am if it weren't for them. They have all supported me and shown me so much love over the years, that I have no doubt that they will be in my life for years and years to come. 

So today, I am spotlighting them and am so incredibly proud to call them friends. 

Meagan Juarez - Matron of Honor

Meagan is one of my closest and oldest friends. We have grown up together since meeting in 4th grade at Proctor Elementary School. Along with her twin sister Nicole, I have felt that they were the sisters I never had. We have been through it all, beginning with the days when we thought boys had cooties, to tearing it up on the softball diamond in middle school, to late night homecomings and proms in high school, to long road trips to see each other while we were in college, and up to today, where Meagan will return the favor as serving as Maid Honor and standing at my side when I marry the man of my dreams. Meagan has been a pillar of strength for me over the years and has been that constant and stable friend that I could always count on. There are no words to express how excited I am to share this special day with someone who has taught me to be myself and shown me love unconditionally.

Nicole Manley - Maid of Honor

Nicole is the other half of the elementary-school-born-triplet trio. I have been lucky enough to grow up Nicole and we have created some pretty wonderful memories together; beginning with sharing Nicole's first snowball fight, to spending a week without parents in cabins at Middle School Outdoor School, to sneaking out my bedroom window to TP a high school friend's house (sorry Mom), to midnight Twilight Movie Screenings in my college town, and up to today, where Nicole will be the comic relief of the wedding party when they watch me say my I Do's to my new best friend. Nicole has been there for me through everything, and has always offered her shoulder to cry on, or her big bed to have a spontaneous sleepover in, and I am incredibly grateful to have a friend who never stops loving me. 

Kristina Fino - Bridesmaid

Mine and Kristina's friendship was brought together through an act of fate. Growing up in the same hometown, being AP Science classmates, and even playing on the same high school softball team, it just wasn't our time to become friends. It wasn't until our senior year of college, where we were both attending Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, did we form a friendship that will last a lifetime. Both working for the Parks and Recreation Department for the city of San Luis Obispo, we were both placed to work at the same elementary school after school program and instantly bonded. Now all grown up and working as teachers, we both purchase the Country Mega Ticket that allows us to put our boots on, kick up our heels, and get our country on together every summer! Kristina's laugh and fun nature brings out the best in me, and I am so incredibly grateful to have such a positive light in my life. Having Kristina stand next to me when I say my vows is something so special that I will treasure forever. 

Sam Herrick - Bridesmaid

Sam was the very first friend I made in college. Both deciding last minute to join a sorority (something neither of us thought we would ever do!), I instantly gravitated towards the sweet, genuine heart of Sam. We instantly clicked and became fast friends. This led to our many fro-yo dates, line dancing Thursdays, and those infinite dates that consisted of us sprawled out on Sam's couch in our sweatpants, eating ice cream and watching Lifetime movies. Sam is the type of friend that every girl wishes for, someone who is there for you no matter what, someone who will listen to everything you have to say without an ounce of judgement, and someone who genuinely cares and wants the best for you. She has one of the purest hearts out of anyone I know, and I am beyond lucky to have her in my life and stand beside me as she takes the Petrellese last name. 

I  have absolutely no doubt that this wedding will be a complete blast because I have such fun and amazing women who will be taking this journey with me. Thank you so much to all of you for being the friends that any girl could ever wish for!