EDEN & GREG
9.20.2014
Louisville, KY
The Groomsman
Todt Marks
(Best Man)
Todt and I have been best friends since we were young, adorable boys in Sunday School together. Our friendship has lasted my early move to the South Side of Chicago, our years of high school together, going away to different colleges, living together as college grads back in Chicago, and Todt’s current move to DC. The majority of the rest of the grooms-men directly link to Todt as well and so we often refer to him as “the glue that holds us all together.” Todt is my co-best man and has always been a constant in my life. But most importantly, he is the only one I can count on to always laugh at my jokes!
Rene Canler
(Groomsman)
Rene was my best friend during high school at Whitney Young. We played 4 years of baseball together which led to another 14 years of recreational softball. He showed me the suburbs of Chicago and I gave him a taste of the South Side. He was married in Portland at a beautiful ceremony that I was glad to be a part of and recently decided to move there permanently. We have done everything together from evicting tenants who quit paying rent to completely remodeling a living room. Rene is the true family man with 3 kids and a dog and of course a lovely wife.
Voltaire Sterling
(Groomsman)
Voltaire has been a blessing in my life since we met at Whitney Young. Although we didn’t meet until my junior year, while V was a senior, we have forged an ever lasting friendship even though we are rarely within 500 miles of each other. On my first date with Eden, we realized that Voltaire and Justin went to Morehouse together and hung in the same click. This worked wonders as Voltaire went to bat and vouched for me with Justin. If it wasn’t for Voltaire, the now famous proposal that took place in LA would definitely have never gone down. Harvard grad, writer, lawyer, actor, father…the list goes on and on.
Ryan Wojan
(Groomsman)
Ryan and I made a pact when Todt moved to DC, seeing that Todt was a best friend to both of us and Ryan was new to Chicago, we decided to adopt each other as best friends moving forward. Ryan went to Michigan (Go Blue) with Todt and decided to leave his home of Beaver Island Michigan to come and give the big city a try (sorry Ryan just too easy). Ryan started a softball league called the Eager Beavers and asked Todt to recruit some guys. I was one of those recruits and what started as being teammates has blossomed into an amazing friendship. Ryan is also currently my running coach and in return I serve as his weight room advisor.
Bradley Sklenar
(Best Man)
Brad is the only person in the wedding I can say I’ve know since birth. My younger and only sibling, Brad and I have been best friends since I first held him in my arms as an infant and we go way back to bunk-beds and Ninja Turtles. Brad works for the same company that I do and has really forged his own path and success since starting there. As we have both gotten older it has been great being able to continue to spend time together since we both reside here in Chicago. I couldn’t imagine standing at the altar without my little brother by my side.
He also is recently engaged so we are looking forward to his wedding too!
Nate Lenzini
(Groomsman)
Nate is the comedian of the group, although all my friends are hilarious, Nate has a certain wit and delivery that is rivaled by no one. Nate is another WY Dolphin, but more importantly in our younger years you could always count on him for being the “last man standing”. To Eden’s delight, Nate is also an amazing handyman and has helped on numerous occasions at Eden’s new home to make sure that it is up to city code.
The starting pitcher for the Eager Beavers and by far the best dressed man I know…on Halloween. Nate is the best neighbor you could ever have.
Patrick Walsh
(Groomsman)
Pat is my adopted younger brother. Pat grew up at the end of Todt’s block and we quickly became each other’s favorite competitors in every sport from basketball to darts. Pat was part of the roommate trio after college and he was always the one I could count on for going out every night and keeping me company. Pat kept me out of trouble and I worked hard to get him into trouble. Pat has also been my fashion consultant as well as we have spent many a Saturday at Banana Republic or Marshalls trying to piece together the perfect party outfit on a $10 budget. We still play ball together to this day and although our games have slowed down, our trash talk is at an all time high.
Jawad Zayed
(Groomsman)
Jawad is one of the Whitney Young Alumnus of the crew and more importantly my ever trusted golf buddy. He is the only one crazy enough to party with me til 4am and still wake up at 6am to hit the links. It isn’t too often that the two of us don’t have a tee time booked at some time during the week. In addition Jawad is also an Eager Beaver member as well as a fellow teammate for multiple basketball leagues. We share so many similar interests from the Bulls to BBQ and of course watching random You-Tube videos on how to fix our slice.