Pirates of the Caribbean
Ariel Vierra - Maid of Honor
My little sister. My partner in crime. The cheese to my macaroni. She may be my little sister, but she has always been singularly her own person. Her creativity and kindness never fail to astound me. I love living vicariously through all of her crazy adventures. I never get tired of telling people how proud I am of all her accomplishments. It doesn’t hurt that I get the gastronomic benefits from her delicious pastry skills either. Casey and I keep hoping her gypsy ways will see her living back in the Bay Area soon.
Katie Fischer
I had the great fortune to meet Katie, and her husband Andy, through Casey. Katie is always there in a pinch, whether it’s to be my sounding board when dealing with stupid people, or to hit grounders at my head when I need to knock the rust off. A fellow college softball player, Katie helps keep me sane while we dominate the San Jose beer league softball games. Her sardonic wit and grace in the face of all life’s challenges keep me on my toes. If you didn’t know otherwise, you’d probably think she was a Siren.
Courtnay Kaump
Growing up, Courtnay was the big sister who always helped set the example I wanted to follow. Whether it was dancing in the kitchen to Love Shack, paying me to clean her room while we blared I Wanna Dance With Somebody, or teaching me to dive in the swimming pool, Courtnay always kept it fun. My first college roommates, Courtnay and her husband Joe gave me not only a launchpad for my college life, but an example of what a partnership marriage was when done properly.
Christy “Crazy” Medinger
Though her nickname might suggest she’s lackadaisical or inattentive, that could not be further from the truth. Crazy set the bar for me as a rookie. There were no plays taken off, not a minute of unstudied film, and not a position she wasn’t willing to learn. And that’s the kind of friend she is off the field: loyal, sympathetic, and reliable. With a mind that runs almost entirely on movie quotes and song lyrics, she talks a mile a minute and will kick your ass when you need it. She will also kick your ass while she’s trying to “teach” you Krav Maga if there’s alcohol.
Kristy “Bubba” Milanese
My sister from another mister. Without Bubba, getting through five seasons of football would have been impossible. She is always willing to work some of her physical therapy magic to keep my poor, broken body going a little longer. Maybe it is a requirement of all the best Sirens, but the determination, drive, and dedication Bubba exerts over every aspect of her life creates the standard I always shoot for in my own. She runs her own medical practice, is starting her own family, and is a genuine, kind human being 24/7.
Caille O’Leary
A kickass receiver on the field and an all around BAMF off it, Caille is one half of the conglomerate that helped to bring Casey and I together. Living in the same apartment complex made us roommates without sharing an apartment, and Wine Wednesdays never looked so good. Caille’s inimitable drive, whether it was learning football plays or her current quest for a new career in business, has always impressed me. Despite her unfortunate love for the Dodgers, she’s still one of the best people I know.