The Family and Friends at Our Side:
Daniel Rushton
Best Man, Friend
On Mondays in high school, Joey drove a few towns south of Norwell to attend a church’s weekly youth group event, “Pizza & Prayer.” There, Joey met Dan who was home on break from his freshmen year at Villanova, a school at the top of Joey’s list as a high school senior. That summer they solidified a close friendship, spending days on the beach, dreaming of moving to Florida one day.
While Joey ended up at Fairfield University, Joey and Dan stayed in touch and spent summers together through college. Life came quickly, and Dan moved to Destin, Florida where he was stationed at Eglin Air Force Base, while his then-girlfriend Brittany got her MBA at, believe it or not, Fairfield University. Joey landed his first job in Miami a year later. While they were in the same state and their goal achieved, they were hundreds of miles apart. Joey then attended Dan’s wedding to Brittany at Villanova where he met Patty.
Joey moved up to New York City; Dan was sent to Qatar and Afghanistan. Somehow during this, they managed to not just keep in touch, but talk on the phone and Skype, often. Dan then moved to South Florida, missing Joey by a year.
Years later, Joey and Dan are finally within 20 minutes of each other, happily living with the loves of their lives, and catching as much time on the beach as possible. Dream realized.
Dan continues to be Joey’s best friend, sharing the same love of the Florida paradise, good music, good drinks, Disney movies, while tackling everything that life throws at them.
John Daly
Groomsman, Friend
There they were in Nashville, finishing up their second stop on a music-themed road trip through Tennessee. On their last drive down Broadway, they quickly looked for the highway to head to Memphis for a 3pm Graceland tour. As their Go-Pro captured, they heard the sounds of a familiar 90s band at the Hard Rock, and they pulled over. Sneaking in, they crawled into the crowd only to realize it was a birthday celebration for Ringo Starr.
This is one of many classic John/Joey stories. The time they drove to Mohegan Sun in the rain on a school night in college. The pranks played on each other senior year. The weekends on the Jersey Shore. Swimming through a flooded street on South Beach. Cutting lines at NYC concerts. (Honestly, that’s not meant to be a major theme in their friendship.)
Joey’s thrilled to have this crucial partner-in-crime there for his big day, and looks forward to all the adventures that are still to come!
Daniel Record
Groomsman, Brother-in-law
Dan started dating Joey’s oldest sister, Jenn, when Joey became a teenager. To get to know Dan, he decided very maturely to rummage through his stuff. One misstep after another, Dan has taken every one of Joey’s quirks in stride, and has been his supportive big brother from Day 1. He was Joey’s Confirmation sponsor, he was present at Joey’s Eagle Scout celebration, his high school and college graduations. Every moment, Dan was right there cheering him on.
Joey is once again calling on Dan to share in another big moment in a big way by being his groomsman! While Joey may never be able to repay Dan for all he’s done over the years, he does every intention on never ever going through his stuff again. Gotta start somewhere.
Brian Davey
Groomsman, Friend
Joey met Brian Davey at orientation for Fairfield University in the spring of 2004. After, Brian called Joey and asked him to be roommates. Joey eagerly accepted, and they were placed in a forced triple with none other than a Jets-loving Long Islander named Jeff. There, they formed a strong friendship that has lasted through the ups and downs of life, despite distance in cities after college. Brian has supported Joey through rough times, and made him cry from laughter during the good times.
Joseph Freitas
Groomsman, Friend
Joey met Joe poolside shortly after moving to Delray Beach, FL and they instantly formed a close friendship. While Joe is from Buffalo, and thus a Bills fan, Joey refused to hold that against him. They’ve spent many nights bar crawling on the Ave., and many nights with the Knights of Columbus at St. Vincent’s.
Joseph Nihill
Groomsman, Brother-in-law
Joe married Joey’s sister, Pati, in 2011, where Joey was a groomsman who totally did not at all take a nap during the photo sessions between the wedding and reception. Joe has been a great example to Joey as he and Pati build their family. Their daughter, Skyla, is Joey’s goddaughter, and Joey can’t wait to be that “cool uncle” throughout her years as she grows up.
Alicia Llosa Chang
Maid of Honor, Sister
Once, as a three year-old, Patty was swept out by the current into deeper water at the beach. It was her big sister, Alicia, who notified the lifeguard and their mom and swam out to save Patty. Since that day (and probably before then too) Alicia has always watched out for Patty. This meant a lot of different things: it was Alicia who would proof Patty's papers, it was Alicia who taught Patty how to do her make-up, it was Alicia who taught Patty how to drink, and it was also Alicia who didn't allow Patty to get a fake ID in college. In hindsight, this was an excellent call.
Patty followed in Alicia's footsteps in a lot of different ways, but most significantly, Patty followed her sister to NYC after college and her first job placed Patty about ten blocks North of Alicia's office. This was fantastic as it meant that Patty got to lunch with her sister often, and Patty often remembers fondly raclette and wine nights at her sister's apartment. Alicia was a big part of Patty's life in NYC and this meant that she was among the first to hear of this guy, Joey LaCroix. Just before Patty's first date with Joey, Alicia called it - "Patty, I bet you marry this one."
While life has pulled them in different directions, Patty back home to FL, and Alicia on to the next chapter of her life in Washington, D.C. Alicia hasn't missed a single important event in Patty's life - and will be standing right next to her come April.
Pilar Siman Kano
Bridesmaid, Friend
Pilar is one of those people who you just notice when you walk into a room. She has a ton of charisma, which should be no surprise since she was Patty's high school's President and Homecoming Queen! Really though, Pilar's charisma comes from a place of wanting to connect with others. Pilar has worked at several charities and has spent time volunteering with organizations across the globe. Patty is continually impressed by how hard Pilar works, while staying humble and approaching her day with a smile and laugh.
Patty and Pilar made a point of visiting each other and college, and lived together for a time in NYC, and Patty is lucky enough to once again live close enough to Pilar to see her on weekends and special events. When they get together, Pilar can make Patty laugh just from her observations about life and her stories about work and family life!
Annette Caravia
Bridesmaid, Friend
Annette is one of Patty's favorite people in the world. This girl has some of the most amazing time management skills - simultaneously pushing herself professionally and academically to achieve multiple advanced degrees in one of the most challenging lines of work: nursing at Miami Children's Hospital. That didn't stop Annette from also becoming a homeowner and cat parent, while still finding time to organize several extra-curricular fundraisers for the children she works with at the hospital.
Yet as busy as Annette may get, she is an amazingly thoughtful friend, one who remembers to call and check-in, who organizes reunions brunches, and girls' trips. She genuinely cares about how others are doing, and will often sacrifice her needs for others. Patty is fortunate to call Annette a friend, and can't wait to celebrate with her!
Jessica Medina Kuroki
Bridesmaid, Friend
Patty and Jeca met Sophomore year of college. Upon learning that they were both Peruvian, they decided to go to lunch where a friendship first formed - one that was later cemented at 2:00 am in the morning over a stack of Wingers with extra hot sauce. Jeca and Patty clicked; it was one of those friendships that found them all over the world, whether it was in Egypt, Peru, or Mexico.
After college, Jeca and Patty roomed together in NYC. They often got lost learning the streets of the city together, discovering many a favorite hangout on the way. Patty's favorite quality of Jeca is her inexhaustible energy and her curiousity. She always wants to know why and how other people live the way they do, and then goes ahead to experience it, without judging. Patty is so excited to know that Jeca will celebrate one more adventure with her come April.
Brittany Ward Rushton
Bridesmaid, Friend
Brittany Ward Rushton, along with her husband Dan, might well be credited for making "Joey and Patty" happen. It was at Dan and Brittany's wedding that Patty first met Joey, and it was Brittany who would gossip with Patty about early dates with Joey. Great listening skills are just one of Brittany's many talents.
Brittany has gone from college friend to roommate to neighbor down here in South Florida, but through it all she has been an amazing source of patience, friendship, and strength. But, let's face it, Brittany is always down for a good time too! Whether it's a boat day, drinking wine on the Intracoastal, Patty always looks forward to hanging out with Brittany and talking about life, love and everything else under the sun.
Jennifer Balceniuk
Bridesmaid, Friend
Jenny was Patty's first friend at Villanova. As they're fond of telling people, they first bonded over early morning breakfasts and late-night Campus Corner runs. While food may have been the binding force in their relationship, Jenny proved to be a true friend!
As the years progressed, Jenny and Patty would go on to become roommates and dancing partners and discovered a shared love of Eve 6, Good Charlotte and Third Eye Blind. Many a weeknight in college would find them dancing in their room, dancing at Brownie's Sink or Swim, or you guessed it, dancing at clubs in Philly. Some of Patty's favorite memories of Jenny happened after college, when Jenny, Brittany and Jenn would come up to New York City and would enjoy a much needed girls' weekend together.