Monica is originally from Long Island, now lives in NYC and works in finance. We have been the best of friends since our undergrad years at Camp Trin Trin where we spent countless times sharing meals at the Thai Room (having sticky rice, green papaya salad and tom yam) and Pho Boston (having pho, summer rolls and bubble tea), endless nights in downtown Hartford dancing like no one was watching and often making the hour drive to visit my mom in Bridgeport and sit at her kitchen table eating freshly cooked biryani. Our simililarities vastly overshadow our differences and Monica is someone who's opinion I always value (especially when it comes to picking a new hairstyle, specifically bangs or no bangs?) and respect and who I can share laughs with for hours on hours, preferably with the addition of mojitos or red wine. We have seen each other through many transitional stages of our lives and figuring out who we were and who we wanted to be. She just visited me in Texas before my move to Hawaii and somehow always finds ample time to spend with me whenever I take a trip to my home town. Friends for over a decade, our bond is unbreakable. She always reminds me to embrace these special times and to take time out for myself, which can be difficult for me, but is much needed! (I still dont know that a Vegas bachelorette is doable, but I haven't completely ruled it out!) I am so honored to have her as one of my Maids of Honor for the big day <3

Lynn is from Bridgeport, CT, currently working full time and in school, a jack of all trades (make up artist, fashionista, business classes, etc). I have known her since the third grade and we grew up together, watching each other grow through the various stages of adolescence to young adulthood through present day. Let me tell you about how Lynn and I met, be prepared for cringe worthy awkwardness. I was in the 3rd grade and we got a new student halfway through the year. At our school, we had a cart that would roll around from class to class that the students could buy ice cream from for 50 cents. That day my mom gave me a dollar, and I was so excited! Since lynn was new and didnt really know anyone, I thought this was the perfect opportunity to make friends with her and welcome her simultaneously with a gift. Anywho, I bought 2 ice cream sandwiches and started walking towards the back of the class where Lynn was painting. I was super shy at the time, and apparently, so was she. I got to the back of the class, and she looked up. WIthout using any words, I attempted to hand the ice cream bar to her. She just looked at me and seemed confused. Rather than saying, "This is a gift to represent my desire to welcome you and become your friend," I instead avoided eye contact and kept trying to hand it to her, which she could not understand. Finally, after about 3-4 attempts at trying to hand it to her, I finally said "here" and she said "oh, thank you" and i walked away quickly. The rest is history. We have pictures in matching outfits we purchased together at mall in the 6th grade (short khaki skirt and white buttoned shirt, not sure why we thought this combination was cool at the time) and know enough about each other to do some serious damage, which reminds me of the decorative pillow she mailed me saying "we will always be best friends because you know too much about me." She really is one of my biggest supporters and fans and is truly like a sister to me. I am grateful to have been able to build such a long lasting bond with someone that continues to strengthen and deepen over time, regardless of the distance and I am super excited to have her as one of of my Maids of Honor to stand by my side at the wedding.

TaMarrah and I met in Texas at my first duty station at Fort Hood Texas. She is also a Physician Assistant and we worked in the same unit. From the time I arrived at the unit, there is no one that I spent more time with, both on the clock and off. From shopping trips, cooking together/ hosting dinner parties, trying new restaurants, or just binge watching Netflix TV series, this girl was my family in Texas and I am immeasurably grateful for the friendship we built in such a short time. I sincerely miss the nights of trying out a new red wine, making our tomato/basil salad and pairing it with whatever cheese we felt like buying that night, having a balsamic dipping sauce and the amazing warm HEB fresh loaf of bread. This was our standard Friday or Saturday night. Sometimes we would just go into Ross and walk down every aisle (which everyone knows is a bad idea) and just therapeutically buy whatever we wanted, which usually consisted of many obscure kitchen gadgets that we felt we needed, but didnt know why. When TaMarrah visited me in Hawaii this past November, we got to have that quality time together that truly makes me miss having her around all the time. I think we all know that its not the length of time that defines a friendship, but the quality of that time spent together <3

Julie is Jake's only sister and from Tonawanda, NY. Although we havent had too much time to hang out in person, I have fond memories of going to a Zumba class with Julie and her mom, followed by Julie completing one of my circuit workouts with me afterwards. Mad props to you Jules :) When I visited Tonawanda, this past July, we got to spend even more time together and had a few great long talks just hanging out, got to drink wine and paint (one of my faves) and pushed each other through a run on a gorgeous evening. Our group skype sessions are always warm and entertaining, and I spend hours laughing at the memes that get circulated in the group texts. Julie is filled with so much spirit, kindness and joy and I am really blessed and excited to have her as a sister, in addition to a bridesmaid at the wedding. She truly has welcomed me with open arms, and I am so grateful!

Jake picked that picture, Julie, sorry lol

________From Jake.....

Hi Juj!  Julie, culie, julie nun culie, peacemaker, yup...we had many ways of saying I love you in the early days.  I bet it's hard to think that I'm getting married, well if it makes you feel better I wouldn't be more suprised than if I "woke up with my head sown to the carpet".  But as the saying goes, "you can't have part of the calf without killing the whole thing".  I think that's a real quote.  Welp, I originally think we were supposed to be twins.  Surely, I must have talked God out of it in an effort to live in luxury for my first 9 months.  We have helped eachother through difficult times, and your love for others has always been inspiring to me.  Thank you for being you.  Love you so much, Jake.

Kasuni is my sister in law, married to my older brother Ryan, who is originally from Sri Lanka. I have known her for the past few years as my sister. She truly loves my brother which is reflected in so many of her actions and I am grateful that they have one another to rely on and grown old together. We have been through lots of challenges, together and apart, and during my trip home for the holidays in 2014, we really got to spend lots of time together, relaxing and growing closer. My summer trip in 2015 was filled with so many fun activities and we got to have lots of fun together just relaxing. I am excited to have her walk down the aisle to support us on our big day <3

"I need a hand over here!  I'm hurt real bad!!" Common words spoken during long stretches of Call of Duty with Ian.  When I say spoken, I mean from my recently-injured character to Ian's as he charges through hoards of Juggernauts and IED-strapped dogs to rescue me....because....that's what kind of friend he is.  Speaking of "warn-torn", Ian was almost unable to make the wedding due to his unit deploying to the Middle East. What a buzz kill!  Plans have since changed and I am excited to have him as my best man.  I met Ian 8 years ago at the start of Army ROTC.  I got to know him much more in the few years before I moved to Hawaii.  I am truly blessed with many great friends, but Ian is one that I have been lucky to hang with the most during these past several years.  He's a great guy with a big heart and the voice of a freaking angel!  After long nights out on the town he could be found emptying my mom's fridge of leftovers while making incoherent animal sounds- no attempt at words whatsoever.  His go-to mode of communication was through baby lion cub noises.  So, picture a 200-something pound Army Intelligence Officer and VA State Trooper in rare-form in your kitchen at 430AM feverishly clearing out your mom's fridge while making only animal noises.  He didn't need to say much at that point.  Love you man.

Steve and I first met on September 20, 1989 (I assume it took around a day to get home from the hospital).  I always looked up to him as the oldest brother.  Now, as the shortest brother, I look up to all my brothers.  I've spent several invaluable trips with him in NYC and Hawaii (not to mention Narnia).  I definitely copied him a lot as a young boy.  These days I am simply too lazy.  The one thing I seemed to not have copied was his constant motivation. Steve was able to move to NYC and essentially hustle for several years between several modeling and acting jobs, not to mention bartending at Copia- the only bar that accepts luggage straight off a flight.  Most importantly, Steve would do anything for a loved one.  With little encouragement this week, he will surely be found buying rounds of shots (even though they're free) for myself included (even though I can't physically drink)- all the while being partially clothed.  His sense of humor, charisma and ability to funnel just about anything will make his presence invaluable this week.  I am honored to have him as part of my wedding.

I've said many times that my siblings have been among my best friends.  Welp, herein lies the exception.  Kidding!   Dan was the closest brother to me in age (and still is).  Dan and I have gone through most of high school and college together.  Looking back, I never understood how he could calmly score points in CYO basketball as I threw wild shovel passes out of bounds.  I personally blame it on coaching (Dad).  Dan and I both attended nursing school at D'Youville College.  Who would have guessed 4 years would become 5 so easily for us!?  The system is bullllllshit!  I can always rely on Dan if I ever need someone to be there for me.  We have so many awesome memories that mostly start at Porter's Pub and end...well...they didn't, it just sort of blurs from there into darkness.  It's hard to forget the dance-off on a Caribbean cruise ship where he performed a flawless somersault- all the while holding a full drink in his hand.  The cup stayed perfectly whereas the drink ended up covering an angry man.  I am very inspired by his love for his wife, Sara, whom he will be married with for 2 years by the time Jamaica comes.  I will be the second one to fall into the trap and I am honored to have him be there for it.

Two words come to mind when I think of Christian.  ******* ****.  It's definitely nice not being the youngest brother, myself.  Middle-child syndrome apparently describes how my parents never asked me where I was going while Christian and Steve seemed to get raked over the coals.  It has been truly entertaining growing up together with Christian.  His sense of humor and general disregard for human life has been a gift to mine.  My statement about Porter's Pub fading into darkness wasn't completely accurate- the next thing you remember is being tackled from behind into a snow bank on the 1-mile walk home, by Christian.  The only key was to walk in the very back.  Usually this would only anger the beast, but at least you would be able to prepare.  Well, I feel cheesy trying to put these things into words but "honored" is, again, the only word to describe how I feel having him in Jamaica with me.  He, like all my siblings, has a huge heart and I can always rely on him.  I can't wait to spend some time in Jamaica with you, man.  Youuuuu ****

Ryan is my only sibling and he lives in CT with his wife, Kasuni, and they are a huge part of my life. His interests include PS4 gaming, Netflix documentaries and "YOLO". I think eating duriyan and eating Pho are also in his top 10 faves. My fondest memories with Ryan were us just sitting around in his room, having movie marathons. Sometimes we would just pick a movie series like Rocky or Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter, and watch all of the movies of the series back to back until we would fall asleep. And if it was a Saturday, that meant we had the whole following day to finish! There was even a time where we went through like 2 seasons of Heroes in one weekend. I miss those days of being young and carefree and just being able to enjoy the mindlessness of hangin with the big bro and watching movies. Having only one sibling means that this person is your best friend from early on, whether they want the role or not. I used to follow Ryan around when we were about 6 and 8, trying to join in on his neighborhood adventures with his friends. He acted like he hated it at the time, but in retrospect, I think he loved having a tag a long little sister. Anywho, I didnt get to be the little brother he probably would have preferred, but now Ryan gets to be an honorary part of the Didas brotherhood!

.........(passes Mic to Jake)

Upon writing this I have yet to meet you but I am excited to have you as part of the wedding.  Tania turned out pretty well so I assume you're pretty decent too!  I am definitely eager to introduce you to my family's shenanigans as I get to know yours as well.  Okay, so I got that out of the way.  So more importantly I've sent several requests on Battlefield and I have yet to receive any backup.  Normally when I use Armored Gun truck there is a spot for a top gunner, which to date gets filled by random 14-15 year olds that I have no regard for. Feel free to assist as they just released the Criminal Activity expansion.