Alison met Connie met through work when they were both working with the same youth. A principal suggested that they needed to meet, and the rest is history! They hit it off and have been friends ever since. Connie was pregnant with her first son ,Noah when Alison was pregnant with Henry. They spent a lot of time together and kept each other sane during maternity leave!

Connie is kind and funny and a steadfast friend. I can't imagine anyone else standing beside me on this special day. I am lucky to have her in my life!

Robin Puffer, soon-to-be Robin Rodgers, is Alison's brother Ben's fiance. When she joined our family over 4 years ago, I immediately liked her. I always wanted a sister!

I am so excited to have Robin a part of our special day, and can't wait to make her status in our family "official"!

Lauren is Alison's cousin. As kids, she drove me crazy! As we got older we developed a strong friendship and have been close ever since. Lauren and I can usually be found giggling over something really ridiculous, or acting in an overall goofy manner to the point where we can't stop laughing at how damn hilarous we are ;)

Lauren is loyal, kind, and she lights up a room! Thanks for agreeing to be a part of our day Lauren!

Brittany is also Alison's cousin! Alison used to babysit her and now she is all grown up and babysits Henry! How did that happen? Living not far from Brittany and her brother Earl, Alison spent a lot of time with them growing up.

Brittany has become this incredible woman who I am proud to know. She is passionate and caring and damn she is fierce!

Cousin to cousin, we'll always be, special friends from the same family tree <3

Carissa (who everyone calls Dee) is Evan's sister. After asking Alison about a hundred questions about her intentions with her big brother, Dee and Alison hit it off. When Alison, Evan and Henry go to visit Evan's family, Dee graciously allows us to use her home as a crash pad. It makes for a busy place, with four adults and four really busy kids.

Dee's favourite past times include teasing Alison and Evan about when she can expect a new niece or nephew, or watching Magic Mike (can you blame her?).

Tori is Evan's sister. She did not ask Alison 100 questions like Dee did, and for that, Alison is very grateful (no offense, Dee). Tori has a great sense of humour and is a talented photographer. She took our engagement pictures!

I am so grateful to be marrying into such a wonderful family, and to be gaining two amazing women as my sisters. Thank you both for being a part of our day!

Evan has known Jason since Kindergarten. Jason thinks they were in the same nursery school class, but Evan doesn't think so. Whatever. They have been friends a really long time. Jason and Evan share a love of all things nerd, and he goes to TFCON (the annual fan run Transformers convention) with Evan every year. Jason has warmly welcomed Alison, even though Evan went to see the new Star Wars movie with her and not him. Alison appreciates his forgiving nature :)

Sorry about the picture choice Jason, but Alison couldn't resist when she came across this one on Facebook!

Evan recalls being abour 9 or 10, and playing with his neighbour Matt's new Star Wars toys, when Ryan moved in next door to Matt. They went over and introduced themselves, and the rest is history. 

When Alison asked Evan to recall some of his favourite Ryan memories, he was listing them off faster than she could type. One time at Canada's Wonderland, Evan and Ryan rode on Timberwolf Falls 11 times in a row. Ryan also once tricked Evan into thinking that he accidentally cut off one of his fingers. When Ryan is around, hilarity typically ensues. He is one of those people who can tell a whole elaborate joke without even cracking a smile, leaving everyone wondering if he is even joking or not. 

Evan and Mike also met in Kindergarten and grew up together in Chesley. According to Evan, Mike is THAT friend. The one that you can't take anywhere. He is known for having a distinct smile, or twinkle in his eye, and when you see it, you know shenanigans are about to happen. 

When Mike and Evan were 13 or 14, they walked all the way to Elmwood (2-3 hours away) to buy a pepsi, only to turn around and walk back. They also figured out how to pronounce each others name's backwards. Apparently their youth was quite productive. 

Evan was in Mike's wedding and now we are happy he has agreed to return the favour!

Greg and Evan went to College together where they both took Broadcasting. Evan talks fondly of his bromance with Greg, leaving Alison to wonder if she should be jealous. Apparently they would have a date night every Tuesday, where they would enjoy a KFC Twonie Tuesday meal and watch a new episode of Smallville. 

Evan and Greg also share a love of Ninja Turtles. Kowabunga!

Shawn is Evan's brother-in-law (he is married to Carissa). They share a love of all things Back to the Future, which they have watched together more times than they can count. They lived together in College, where Shawn graciously shared his car and internet with Evan. 

Shawn warmed up to Alison immediately when she bought him his favourite beer the first time he came to visit. Alison also went to all the trouble to make Shawn his favourite Lemon Meringue Pie, forever cemeting a place in his heart. 

Ben is Alison's big-little brother. I say big-little, since he is younger than Alison but is a good 5 or 6 inches taller than her. Ben and Evan were able to bond early on over their excitement for the new Star Wars movie.

Alison & Ben are complete opposites. While Alison is a classic extrovert, Ben is a man of few words. Despite being a younger brother, he has always been protective of Alison and looks out for her. Thanks for being a part of our day, Ben!