Meet Amy

In life, it’s funny how you remember first meeting some of your friends.

I remember how I met Amy Merks. My dad and her mom were friends from high school and worked together for a number of years. Our parents told us that we should hang out, so it was about second grade when we started chatting with each other in Catholic Sunday School. From this moment, we became great friends.

Some things you should know about Amy:

· At the ripe age of about 9, I was a bridesmaid in Amy’s “first” wedding. You see, we were practicing the holy rights of passage and Amy was marrying her 4th grade boyfriend, so Bubba and I served as the wedding party. The next week we jumped in as the god parents to a lovely Cabbage Patch Kid. So, now, 20 years later, it’s only fitting that Amy returns the deed as a member of my bridal party!

· Amy and I enjoy doing "old lady" things together. We tend to write things in poem, we both played slow pitch softball and we excel at bowling. During high school and middle school, we LOVED to play Bingo. And, this one time, at Band Camp (Amy twirled flags), we won a Twist contest.

· One fateful night in high school, I formally introduced Amy to her current husband, Jon (FYI – that makes 4 marriages that I’ve arranged!). While they parted ways for a bit, they rekindled their romance at a party at my house during college...and the rest is history!

· A proud graduate of Penn State, Amy works in the advertising (media buying) industry in New York. Amy and Jon currently live in Hoboken, NJ and both work in the city. Amy is one very awesome tour guide and gives fantastic recommendations for things to do and eat in the city.

Let's get to know Amy a little better...

How did you meet Brandi/Brady?
Brandi and I first met in CCD (Sunday School), but became true friends when our elementary schools merged into the same middle school in 6th grade. I first met Brady at the Tonidale in Pittsburgh and he quickly labeled me “his favorite of all Brandi’s friends” ;)

Editors Note: Amy and I having all the same classes together brought together two gifted minds that created projects such as “The King of the Wind” rap to the “Fresh Prince of Bel Air” theme song.

If you were in a beauty pageant, what category would you excel in and why?
Talent – I twirl a mean flag.

What’s your favorite beverage?
Starbucks Skinny Vanilla Latte

Name your favorite restaurant.
Charrito’s in Hoboken, NJ

If there was a movie made about your life, which actress would play the lead role?
Tea Leoni – A tourist in Times Square thought I was her once!

Editors Note: Amy recently found a conversation of former high school colleagues discussing how she looks like Kim Raver on Facebook!

What song do you look forward to hearing at Brandi & Brady’s Wedding?
Rihanna - Umbrella – after all my signature Umbrella routine was established in a Chicago bar while visiting Brandi and Brady! (see an action shot of this dance to the right)

If you could be on one reality show, what would it be and why?
MTV Real World/Road Rules Challenge! I am obsessed and like to discuss my personal strategies of how I would handle every challenge in annoying detail.

Who do you think will fall off the boat?
Possibly Steve

What was the first concert you attended?
“No Doubt” at Star Lake

Name three things you always have in your refrigerator.
Vitamin water, Diet Coke and hummus

If you were going to try out for American Idol, what song would you sing?
It doesn’t matter, I wouldn’t get past the first note before Simon gave me the ax – I’m that bad.

Makin' it Rain...Presents.

On April 10th, we officially kicked off our wedding festivities with a bridal shower given in Brandi's honor! Planned by some of the most fabulous party planners from across the U.S. - the fabulous bridesmaids and Brandi's awesome mom - the lunch at Ditka's included Bradytini's and Brandi Jo Cosmo's. Brady said, "It was a dream come true to have a cocktail named in my honor."

We selected Ditka's because the restaurant is located in Brandi's hometown and she and Iron Mike are both from Pittsburgh, but have spent some time living in Chicago. The menu included a selection of comfort food favorites like Iron Mike Meatloaf and Lake Michigan Tilapia.

No Brandi party is complete with out cupcakes! Guest were also able to mix a sweet treat from "Brandi's Candy Bar."

We were both left speechless at the amount of gifts from our guests. We can't express how thankful we are for the generosity of our family and friends. It really means a lot to us! Thank you all!

After the shower, all of the ladies met up for a serious girl's night out on the Double Dutch party bus. With an army of women ranging in age from 17 to 70, our bus driving didn't know what he was getting himself into! In true Bonkowski form, Big Joe packed coolers full of wine, beer, Jager Bombs and of course...JELLO SHOTS!

The first stop was Mt. Washington for some party pictures on a beautiful Pittsburgh night.

Brandi's wonderful party planners were full of surprises throughout the night and the Bachelorette Party was no exception. At Charlie Murdoch's, a piano bar in Pittsburgh, the VIP skybox was reserved for the ladies.

In one of the best ideas ever, each guest was asked to bring a wine or martini glass with a recipe. Let me just say, we now have one of the most AMAZING collections of glasses EVER! We will seriously save these for the rest of our lives. And not one was a duplicate! Don't worry - I'll be posting the recipes on my other blog soon!

After a crazy dance party on the bus ride home, complete with Miley & Madonna, the party met at the Cadillac Ranch where the Bonkowski sisters did take a spin on the mechanical bull!

We seriously cannot thank you all enough for traveling in for the weekend, for attending the parties and for your way too generous gifts!

Next Wedding Festivity? Look out - it's Brady's Bachelor Party!

(Special thanks to Miss Lauren Sprys & Miss Dana for being the group's resident photographer - even with some competition! I stole your photos!)

Get to Know Norbert

Sorry for the brief hiatus blog readers – Brandi and Brady have been busy with work, wedding planning, and watching the Mountaineers’ incredible Final Four run.

We’re back, and today’s post features a man who, like Brandi, will be joining the Smith family in the next 3 months. On May 30, 2010, this good looking fellow will be marrying Brady’s sister Amanda, thus forming an Irish-Cuban alliance that surely cannot be stopped.

Let’s all give a big round of applause for Miami’s finest … Mr. Norbert Ferro.


Fun Facts About Norbert

* A die-hard Miami Hurricanes and Miami Dolphins football fan, Norbert was a gridiron star himself at G. Holmes Braddock Senior High School before making the bold (some Floridians would say “insane”) move up north to play college football in frigid Minnesota. Mr. Ferro played quarterback and defensive back in high school against several future NFL stars in talent-rich South Florida – you can read more about that below.

* Norbert is an experienced DJ who spins records and emcees at various events in South Florida, from weddings to birthday parties to Bat Mitzvahs. We would’ve enlisted his services at our wedding but we need this guy on the dance floor – he’s got phenomenal moves just like his future brother-in-law does.

* Norbert is a professional restaurant inspector, making sure your food is prepared safely and in sanitary conditions at eateries in Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and more. Perhaps the best perk of the job is the constant flow of free gift certificates and meals that restaurant owners give Norbert – you don’t want to tick off the guy who can shut you down!

Q&A with Norbert

Who would play the lead role in a movie about your life?
Al Pacino because he is really Cuban (right? Scarface?)

Favorite memory with Brady (so far)
Being Brady's pro trophy fish sponsor on Miami Beach. I made the catch, he got the glory and the picture.

Favorite thing about Brandi
She is full of facts. I think I would use her as a life line if I was ever on Who Wants to be a Millionaire.

What are you most famous for?
Most interceptions in one season. Miami 6A football, I threw 12 my sophomore year and picked 7 my senior year. Check the books.

What’s your favorite adult beverage?
Skip and Go Naked's!!! They're great.

What was your first job?
I worked at Lane Bryant - I was a stock boy, made my way up to cashier in one week. Don't ask how! I’ll never tell.

How cool of a future brother-in-law is Brady, on a scale of 1-10?
I give him a tennn!! A ten!! A f***** ten!

When you were 10 years old, what did you want to be when you grow up?
A flyer (AKA fighter pilot)............. thanks to TOP GUN.

Who is the best player in the history of Miami Hurricane football, in your opinion?
Hands down Sean Taylor – he was one of the greatest safeties of all time.

Who is the best player you’ve ever played against while dominating on the football field in high school?
I would have to say Andre Johnson or Frank Gore.

What are you most excited about Brandi & Brady’s wedding?
The boat ride!!!

Which one of your fellow groomsman has the best chance of falling off the riverboat at Brady/Brandi’s wedding?
Mr. Ryan Platt’s going swimming. (Editor’s note: that’s three-for-three for Platt in the water)

Being a DJ yourself, what songs do you hope to hear at Brandi & Brady’s wedding?
Shout! and The Roof is on Fire!!!!



True or false: Brady Smith is an amazing salsa dancer and he will break out his moves for the world at both my own wedding and his wedding.
I HEAR HE HAS ALL THE "DANCING WITH THE STARS" PAST SEASONS' SALSA MOVES ON HIS DVR ... TRUE!!