Get your own best friend is a phrase we like to use when we imagine what our dear April Hartman would say to Stephen if she were here with us today. It’s because of her boundless energy that we are together. She walked up to Mercedes freshman year of Tulane and declared that they would be friends. 14 years later in a Lower East Side bar, Stephen asked Mercedes out and then laid one on her. 4 years after that first kiss, we are all going to be dancing the night away in España at our wedding with all of you.

Stephen and Mercedes bonded over their love of music and being active. On one of their first dates, Mercedes took Stephen rock climbing. Stephen didn’t know it at the time but this was actually a test to see if he could keep up with her. Thankfully he passed. They have had numerous adventures together, from the beginnings of their relationship, running around Playa del Carmen in search of medical attention to multiple Mardi Gras and a few European vacations. Stephen adores Mercedes with a passion that can best be described as “Big Golden Retriever Energy”, and Mercedes knows that Stephen gives her a priceless sense of security that she can match as his forever bodyguard. They are both absolutely pumped to celebrate with you.