2 Fish and a Blue Bear: Our Peeps

Well, it's official -- we've got ourselves a bridal party! We're so thrilled that we'll have our closest friends by our sides as we tie the knot. It means to world to us!

Here's a quick rundown of these very special people:

Sara Freeman Line (Maid of Honor -- technically "matron" but that just sounds so, well, matronly :))
My fabulous big sister. For 30 years she has been there to teach me to be a bit "cooler", whether it be how to "scrunch" my socks or how to be the life of the party. Sara is a schoolteacher in Los Angeles and has been living in Southern California for 10+ years. We're very excited to soon be living closer to her and Jeff!

Lauren & Sara, Lake Tahoe, NV, 2006 - Sara's wedding!

Susannah Christy (Bridesmaid)
Sus and I met on her very first day in Australia back in 2000. We were both in the country traveling independently and were instant friends. After she saved my life in the Outback, I knew I had found a friend unlike any other. She hails from a small PA town close to where Brandon grew up, but for the last five years has lived in Boulder, CO. And yep, she's one of the big reasons why we're heading out!

Lauren & Sus, Kakadu, Australia, 2000

Melissa Gaffney (Bridesmaid)
Melissa and I met thanks to Kappa Delta sorority and began our friendship as running partners. It was an instant connection. Our first run was only 30 minutes long, but we ended up talking for hours... something we find ourselves still doing. We were so lucky to have her and her husband Chris in the DC area for years and also as snowboarding partners, but now are very excited for them both starting the next chapter in their lives back in their hometown of Richmond, VA.... and for their winter visits to CO to hit the slopes!

Lauren & Melissa, Blacksburg, VA 2008 (proposal weekend!)

Michele Luberecki (Bridesmaid)
Michele has been one of Brandon's best friends since 1996 when they worked together at Allied Signal in Maryland. In the past six years she has been an endless source of advice, optimism and laughter for both of us. She is always up for an adventure - a trait which has enabled us to have countless great times in South Beach, Spain, DC and more! Michele is a Virginia native, like me,... and we don't hold it against her that she graduated from Virginia Tech's biggest rival, UVA. :) I feel incredibly fortunate to have become such close friends with her over the years and know that we have so many more adventures ahead of us as we meet around the globe!

Lauren & Michele, Barcelona Spain 2008

Jaime O'Keefe (Bridesmaid)
Jaime and I first crossed paths in 1995 at dance camp when we were on opposing teams. I even have a picture of us together before we knew each other! We then met again at Virginia Tech and eventually were roommates at the sweetest pad in all of Blacksburg. A native of the DC area, Jaime will be travelling further than anyone as she now lives in Sydney, Australia! I'm so thankful of this as I can't imagine this day without her.

Lauren & Jaime, Key West, Florida, 2008

Claudia Zaborsky (Bridesmaid)
Claudia and I go back over 20 years! We grew up together making all sorts of trouble at the dance studio and on the road at competitions. Claudia graduated undergrad from Boston College, which always lends to a great battle during college football season when the Hokies head off against them! Claudia is a skilled counselor in the DC area... a skill that I call on often :)

Lauren & Claudia, Little Puff event, DC 2002

Rob Goldman, Mike Johnson, Chris Washington (Groomsmen)
All three of the guys are graduates from Penn State, like Brandon, and share his love (obsession) of PSU football. Mike and Chris are hometown friends of Brandon, hailing from Montgomery, Pennsylvania. We were so fortunate to have all three living in the DC area for the beginning of our relationship. In fact, Mike was Brandon's roommate for years! Nowadays, Rob lives up in Rhode Island where he works for the Navy, Mike is living in PA and spends his free time working on his farm and renovating his new home, and Chris is living in VA raising his 4-month old little girl Avery with his wife Liz. We've had such fun with them over the years with trips to South Beach, snowboarding in the Poconos, boating in Rhode Island, late night Vienna Sausage football games, Penn State and Jimmy Buffett tailgates... and more! It wouldn't be a party with these guys with us out in Colorado!!