meet our people
liane kozik | BEST WOMAN
Before Liane became one of Michael’s favorite badass women, she and Chrystal met in middle school. They sat through class, got in trouble for rude language, went through puberty, walked everywhere before taking driver’s ed together (where Liane got a first look at Chrystal’s speedy nature), and even visited one another in college. After all that time, Liane remains to this day Chrystal’s go-to lawyer.
anthony duran | best man
Anthony and Michael formed a friendship in high school and proceeded to attend college together. After a year spent in separate dorms, mother Duran decided (incorrectly) that the world would likely be safe if they were allowed to live together and their friendship has only grown stronger in the many years living together in Chicago after being the greatest roommates ever to cohabitate.
vandana yanamadala |
BRIDESWOMAN
Prior to being totally fine with Chrystal leaving her and Michael at parties, Dr. Vandana Yanamadala attended Jefferson Junior High and burst Chrystal’s metaphorical political bubble. They were forever bonded by the sheer act of being able to call out one another’s bullshit. On top of that, her infectious kindness and silliness were always traits Chrystal would gravitate toward.
eric steffenson | groomsman
A year after Michael had started college, Eric joined the same university and the campus was never quite the same. Eric and Michael took an immediate liking to each other through their appreciation of music, genuine interest in other's stories (speaking with Eric can be like being on a great interview), and rigid separation of responsibilities from free time which continued while living in Chicago after graduation.
maria sturchio |
Brideswoman
Middle school was a fruitful time for lifelong friendships but Maria and Chrystal detected one another through their Filipino radars. Turns out they liked the same music and going to the public library for CDs to copy onto their computers. After being the founders of their high school’s art club (painting one bench, using good supplies for themselves, and spending half the time by the vending machine), Maria expanded her amazing artistic talent into her career in architecture—now at a firm in Chicago.
michael simms | groomsman
Their friendship was solidified through college, and the entire Simms family have left an impact on Michael's life through their hospitality and generosity—they have seen the best of Michael through many a New Year's Eve and [3rd] of July. Michael and Michael have grown their friendship keeping up through the years and by enjoying all that Chicago can offer through one's 20's.
JOANNA KULESZA |
Brideswoman
As young college women, Joanna and Chrystal didn’t meet in a class when they both attended SCAD. It was while making ends meet and being full-time students. As spaghetti-slinging servers, Joanna and Chrystal had as much fun with deep conversations over sushi after grueling shifts as they did when they would sneak a swig of blueberry vodka from a water bottle during an especially grueling shift. After nights cruising around Savannah together on their road bikes, Joanna is now a professional photographer and visual journalist living in Austin with a wonderful mutual friend, Genna (also a former spaghetti-slinger.)
matthew whitehill |
groomsman
While they were good friends in college, Matt and Michael's friendship really hit "wedding party" level during their early 20's as young Chicago professionals - Matt was engineering solar panel projects while Michael engineered ways to make his legal assistant job have a longer lunch. When Matt decided to reset his solar career path completely and move back west for lightbulb-related work, their friendship stayed electric (not sorry).
tim nash | officiant
An enthusiastic supporter of Michael and Chrystal's relationship, Tim was one of Michael's earliest friendships in high school and remains a loyal friend and text message group thread moderator to this day. Many can attest to his ability to keep people together, including Michael's brother Nick, who became friends with Tim when they found themselves both living in Sacramento several years ago.
GUMER & CRISTINA LOPEZ
These two came to the US from different countries, met, fell in love, and made a “perfect” daughter. Regardless of what Chrystal threw at them, they always focused on the values that matter in life (like kindness, honesty, and bravery) while supporting her in pursuing her passions.
JOHN & THERESA QUARTON
These great people made, loved, and empowered Michael as well as three other men who have never tried to compare their accomplishments (scholastic, physical, or otherwise) in a competitive way. They also set the bar for a cooperative and loving relationship that Michael hopes to emulate.
