Kevin Jordan: Groomsman

Today we get the distinct honor of introducing a legendary fellow – a man so famous among his peers that he has not one but TWO incredible nicknames (three if you count his initials – “KJ”). We could only be talking about one guy here … Mr. Kevin Jordan.


About KJ

* Kevin and Brady truly go way back – they first became friends in Mrs. Mattern’s 3rd grade class and have been laughing hysterically at each other ever since. Brady maintains to this day that Kevin is one of the funniest people he’s ever known.

* Kev’s nicknames stem from his prowess in pick-up basketball games. On the rough and tough courts of Egg Harbor Township (and Joey Carew’s backyard), he’s known as “Airmail” for his 3-point accuracy. His second nickname was coined after a teammate told him he played like Bulls sharpshooter Steve Kerr. Never one to hear people accurately, Kevin quipped back something to the effect of, “What? Street Curbs?” And thus the renowned moniker “StreetCurbs” was born.

* Simply put, Kevin is an unbelievable guitarist and musician (he plays a mean keyboard and cello too). He and Brady have always shared the same phenomenal taste in music, as they have attended dozens of concerts together throughout the years. Mr. Jordan has played in several bands and records new music frequently - you can check out his latest tunes here: http://www.myspace.com/aclavortex.

* KJ is in the Guinness Book of World Records for most Chicago visits out of all Brady’s friends at 5.

Q&A with Kevin

Who would play the lead role in a movie about your life?
Morgan Freeman

Favorite memory with Brady
Tough question ... maybe whispering sweet nothings to Marlene Stiteler in geometry class (he knows what I'm talking about).

Favorite thing about Brandi
With her you always know what you’re gonna get ... she’s an incredibly likable and very cool girl.

What are you most famous for?
My boyish good looks.

What’s your favorite adult beverage?
Jameson on the rocks.

Better city – Boston, Chicago, Pittsburgh or Philadelphia? Why?
Chi-town, cause that's where my favorite couple lives … awwww.

What was your first job?
Dishwasher at The Clam Bar, I scrubbed casserole dishes for 5 years.

Who is your celebrity crush and why?
Jennifer Love Hewitt... uh she has certain assets that I enjoy.

When you were 10 years old, what did you want to be when you grow up?
I wanted to be one of the Beatles... In fact, I still do.

What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I am an expert swing dancer.

Who is the best guitarist of all time?
Me since you asked ... nah I like Johnny Greenwood from Radiohead.


What are you most excited about Brandi & Brady’s wedding?
Everything! I love weddings, mostly because I'm not the one getting married (kidding!)

Which one of your fellow groomsman has the best chance of falling off the riverboat at Brady/Brandi’s wedding?
Hmmm ... my money is on Platt (editor’s note: that marks two votes out of two Q&As for Platt so far – starting to see a pattern here).

What song(s) do you hope to hear at Brandi & Brady’s wedding?
"The Power of Love" on repeat, the whole time.

True or false: Brady Smith is a talented and underrated vocalist.
Absolutely true... ask him to sing "Somewhere Out There"... it will make you cry.

Meet Dana

In order to determine which bridesmaid would be featured next, I sent out a list of questions to the girls and said that I would post their profile in the order the returned questionnaire was delivered.

With 15 minutes, I received the answers from one Miss Dana Yingling. So today, meet Dana.

I first met Dana in fourth grade during Montour Little Spartans Cheerleading. While we were both in the same school district, we didn’t go to the same grade school.

Before I even met the legendary Dana Yingling, I knew of her. People would tell tales of her “heart shaped pool” (it’s really a “kidney stone”), her amazing wardrobe, bright blonde hair and her parents ridiculous, over-the-top Christmas light display. I knew this girl and I would totally get along.

Dana and I became really close in high school, especially during band. Yes, we were in the band and it was cool. Dana was a “Spartanette” which was the dance team and I twirled batons. We decided our senior year that we would not try out for captain so that we could “pre-game.” This involved sneaking adult beverages into Subway cups (they weren’t clear) and consuming them before the game. I believe we only attended two of the 10 games sober.

Some fun facts about Dana:
· Dana holds the record for the friend from home that visited me the most in college. Typically Dana would make the drive to Morgantown 1-2 times a semester. She's also been to Chicago more than any other friend! Dana visits each St. Patrick's Day for the party.


· Now a Cali girl, Dana has lived in Los Angeles since 2004. She moved there to attend the Fashion Institute of Merchandising and Design.

· After an injury ended her gymnastics career, Dana joined the diving team in high school.

· Dana edited our high school year book. If you ever get a chance to look at it, you will see pictures of Dana and I on almost every page.

· More fun facts: Dana loves NASCAR, she scrapbooks, her dog's name is Tonka, she's been in a movie and her mom was my sister's pre-school teacher.

Here's a Q&A with Dana:

· What’s your favorite beverage? Tejava Tea and we all know Stoli Raz ( if we're going the alcoholic route)

· If you could only shop in one store for the rest of your life, what would it be? TARGET!

· What song do you look forward to hearing at Brandi & Brady’s Wedding? Soulja Boy of course

· Who do you think will fall off the boat? Steve or maybe myself, who knows, he's been taking care of me during drinking nights lately! Haha!

· If you were in the movie “Back to the Future,” what year would you visit? 1966 the year my parents were married. I think it'd be interesting to see what life was like that year.

· How many pairs of shoes do you own? About 80+ between heels, sneakers, flats, flip flops, wedges, boots, rain boots, sandals.

· Name three things you always have in your refrigerator. Tejava Tea, Jalapenos, and Red Bull Italian dressing

· If you were going to try out for American Idol, what song would you sing?

"I came to have a party
Open off the Bacardi
Feeling so hot tamale
Boy, I know you watching' me so what's it gonna be
Purple taking me higher
I'm lifted and I like it
Boy, you got me inspired
Baby, come and get it if you're really feeling me"

Mariah Carey- It's Like That--but please don't get any ideas I will not be singing at your wedding!

Happy 2010! Let the Countdown Begin!

Happy Holidays from Brandi & Brady!

We are pleased to say that we had the opportunity to see many of our blog readers over the last two weeks on our trips to New Jersey & Pittsburgh. Here are some highlights from our trips.

On December 23rd, Brandi participated in her annual holiday gift exchange with her best friends from high school. It's amazing that we are able to get everyone together considering we live in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Cleveland and Pittsburgh! Bridesmaid Dana wasn't able to make it home, so we used Skype to have her join the party.

Holiday gift exchange: Steve, Bridesmaid Amy, Bridesmaid Melissa, Brandi & Brady

Next it was off to New Jersey where we spent some quality time with the Smith Family. We enjoyed a candlelit Christmas Eve Service and opened up a number of wonderful gifts in the morning.

Smith Family: (bottom) Amanda, Norbert & Sugar; Top: Brady, Brandi, Deb, Mike, Ryan

While we all enjoyed playing Super Mario Brothers on Wii, Brady's cousin Joey dominated Brandi in Toy Story 3D (shown here).

Uncle Jim, Jenna, Brandi, Joey and Norbert

After numerous petitions to "Save the Pearl," a local New Jersey Bar, it appears that this hometown favorite may be closing its doors to make room for a highway. Brandi & Brady were able to enjoy one final "Zombie," a famous Pearl beverage, before it closes.

Brady, Andy & Ryan enjoying Zombies at The Pearl

After enjoying some cheesesteaks from the famous "White House," on Tuesday we departed New Jersey for Pittsburgh in Brandi's sister's car (or as Brady calls it, the "J Bo-Mo-bile"). We enjoyed dinner at the most amazing BYOB in Western Pennsylvania, Sausalido, with Bridesmaid Melissa, her husband Brian and the Bonkowski parents. If you are a PA reader, you MUST eat here. Tell the owner, and future wedding guest, Nick that Brandi sent you (we go way back - he is a high school friend)!

Brian, Bridesmaid Melissa, Brandi & Brady

After fantastic dinner with family and friends at another BYOB (where we enjoyed bottles of Sangria brought back from the Renault Winery in New Jersey!), we rang in the New Year at the Bonkowski house. The party included lots of champagne, dancing and a slew of delicious appetizers!

The Bonkowski Family - Jillian, Lew (J Bo's man friend), Joe, Sue, Brady and Brandi

We are very excited for 2010! Not only will we finally be husband and wife, but the upcoming events will provide us with a number of opportunities to see our family and friends again soon!