Matt and Mike became friends over very complicated board games over a decade ago, and now those games are more complicated and much more fun. Matt has been a constant beacon of wisdom and joy in Mike's life. Mike never would have made it through organic chem without him, nor would Mike have gone full bore into his coffee obsession without Matt. There is no one better to cup some new coffees or discuss high-minded topics with.

A girl couldn't ask for a better big brother. And a grown woman couldn't ask for a better martial arts master to smash the patriarchy with. She also couldn't ask for better hair color inspiration. If you don't know Neal already, you'll be best friends by the end of the wedding weekend. And yes, they're physically incapable of keeping their mouths closed in photos.

The best man, Chris, has been friends with Mike for almost two decades. They became friends in honors chemistry sophomore year of high school mostly through their shared love of cracking bad jokes much to the chagrin of their teacher. 19 years later they still crack bad jokes, but now they are over a game of Magic or playing a Murder Mystery Dinner that Chris wrote.

Two blondes, a redhead, a brunette walk into a Paris café as teenagers. Twenty-two years later and they're still best friends. Amadea, Kate, and Willa remain the coolest three women Kaki knows. Also the kindest, smartest, and silliest. There's a reason they've managed to stay friends across oceans and years and hair colors. You may have heard them referred to as "The Minnesota Girls" as Kaki has spent countless summers with them in Northern Minnesota. These days, Amadea (redhead) is an MD working in public health and living in Boston. Kate (brunette) is a screenwriter living in London. And Willa (former blonde) is a historian living in Minneapolis, with her first book about to be published. They are endlessly cool and smart and Kaki is so lucky to have them in her life.

Nicholas is one of Mike's oldest friends. They became friends in high school, playing card games in the cafeteria before school. A lot of the things that Mike loves come from Nick. He was Mike's guide through the weird parts of the internet and the beautiful parts of fiction. Some of the best nights of Mike's life involved conversations with Nick deepening his worldview.

Larry is the force of nature, which makes his biology degrees a bit narcissistic. Larry can walk into a room and light it up. He is affable, charismatic, and quick to talk about frogs, all important traits in a person. But his depth and ability to talk to you directly is why Larry is such a great friend. He has been one of the most important sounding boards in Mike's life. Mike loves him enough to literally give him the shirt off his back.

Tony is one of a kind. A wonderful amalgamation of a wise philosopher, a raucous party animal, and a ruthless card shark. He is also a fierce friend who is active in his friendship. Tony was a driving force in getting Mike up and moving again after a rough few months following Mike's surgery.

Katie is quite possibly the best sister someone could ask for. She is kind, cool, and irritatingly amazing at just about anything she puts her mind to. She also dropped everything, Beyoncé concert included, to come and be a support and advocate for the couple while Mike was in the hospital. Katie is a one of the best people we know, and once you meet her, we are sure you will feel the same.