Helen Hanke

Unfortunately, Helen, my Matron of Honor had to step down from her position due to having her second baby! It doesn’t mean I can’t give her recognition from all the upbringing shenanigans we’ve been through and everything she has taught me along the way. She is the eldest female cousin from the Hanke side and has paved a way for the younger generation to like movies, gossip columns, Incubus, and of course “HOT COOKS.” If you don’t know what “hot cooks” means it stands for HOT COOKIES. Which are chocolate chip cookies barely cooked, hah! If you know us “Hankes” we have a specific language and twang to how we talk. The most comes out from Helen. From the moment you hang with Helen you just laugh and have a great time with her. She has taught me to laugh about the hard times and always find the positive. She is such an amazing listener and is always intrigued about your daily life (always wanting the scoop). Days where I just call to say hi turns into a Skype date that lasts for 2-3 hours. Growing up made it easy and of course FUN to have Helen as the “older sister” figure. Just be prepared playing board games or catchphrase with her… it gets out of control.

Jenn Garbo

My maid of Honor and what an honor. Funny story is growing up with Jenn we used to loathe each other. Visiting NJ, where Jenn lives, we would constantly fight and probably throw punches at each other (I have a picture of us being scolded by Aunt Lin). When we were little we went to Montrose Beach in the summer and had a sand fight and I threw sand in Jenn’s eye… she told her mom to drive me home. Fast forward to when we actually grew up and were into pop bands. I came over to Grammy’s house and brought her a Baby Spice (her favorite spice) Spice Girls book. From that moment on we were friends again! Jenn is a spontaneous, rebel girl who is always a blast to hang with. Whether it be getting tattoos, riding a mechanical bull, or bar hopping with her Mom – she is the person I would call to hang out with to the break of dawn.

Rachel Hagfors

Rachel aka “Ratch” has been by my side since I was little and taking our hip hop dance classes together. We met at UDance Corp that in fact formed so many of our close relationship of friends. Without dance we would have never met and we would never of discovered the “ONE MIND” that only you and I have. Rachel is the most selfless, caring, loving, and generous best friend. She has taught me so many life hacks – making my own blanket, baking like I would die tomorrow, creating DIY projects for knick knacks, showing me what knick knacks are and need in my kitchen, and how to drink like a sailor (TOE NAIL SHOT)! Ratch is my girl who I call at 3am to go get food or just to chat. She has ALWAYS been there. There has never been a time where she wasn’t… and she is my definition of a best friend.

Angelea Almeda

Angelie will soon be my sister-in-law, although from the first day I met you, you’ve been nothing but welcoming and loving to me. You always wanted to grab food, drinks, and go shopping – my kind of sistah! Seeing and witnessing you go through great accomplishments in life has me so proud (I’m such a sap). The one good thing I keep learning from you is you keep me fly with my fashion and young with my spunk. You will keep me young forever (you better promise)! Marrying into a family with such love, laughter, and togetherness has me excited to have you as my sister and by my side during the wedding day.

Jacqueline Meraz

Jackie and I met in high school at Von Steuben. We had a few classes together that made us connect and talk to each other. Once we found out we had an interest in Hip Hop – we were inseparable. We went to break dance battles, open gyms, and concerts. We learned how to drive together, hung out almost everyday after school, copied each other’s homework, went to every prom together, and ate Bacci’s pizza at least once a week. Our favorite thing to do was take the “L” to downtown and just walk around and talk about everything. I always take away something beneficial for my future from you. If you and I we’re to never meet I don’t think we would be as cool as we are today.

Jessica Aguillo

Jess also attended Von Steuben with me. We met through mutual friends and funny thing was we never had a class until senior year together. It wasn’t until after high school we’ve gotten close. Jess has always been the kindest, funniest, and outgoing friend. If it was a school night but you snuck out of the house, Jess was the one I called to hang out with. Even though it takes her 1-hour to get ready, she will still go out and stay out till the crack of dawn with you. Sleep over and not take off her shoes or borrow sleeping clothes, I don’t know? We ended up being roommates for a little while and became even closer. Jess knows everything about me. She was and still is my partner in crime.

Alexis Garcia

Alexis aka Lexi is the niece of one of my closest friends, Sonya. Sonya was my dance teacher at UDance Corp when I was little. One year Sonya made me and Alexis dance partners in a dance and an eternal friendship was formed. I took more dance classes because Alexis told me to – even though I was horrible at gymnastics. One time I kneed myself in the forehead. Terrible. We’ve practically grown up with each other. She moved away to the suburbs, but we kept in contact through AOL and phone. Once I learned how to drive – Rachel and I would drive up every weekend to see Lexi. Soon enough Lexi and I would attend UIC with one another and we we’re closer than ever. Lexi has been there through ups and downs and always knew how to be the life of the party to cheer anyone up. She’s a ball of energy! No joke! Let’s see how she’ll get at the wedding!