Jessica’s baby sister, who has been growing into a fine talented and gracious young woman, but whom Jessica still considers to be in the third grade. Ahh, the baby of the family. Jessica has forever referred to Laura as “the best Hoff” for her incredible kindness, warmth, inability to hold a grudge, keen shopping abilities and massaging hands of stealth. Laura is a crafty goddess and will be graduating from Willamette University with a BA in Theatre Arts one month before the Hozac wedding, making her prime for all sorts of goody matronly tasks.

The thing of it is, Ryan and Chris never let miles mean much. Ryan lives in San Fransisco, Chris lives in Chicago. Yet when they talk, either on the phone or the occasional brunch in Michigan, its like they are back in Ms. Murphy's dance class (which they HAD to take in high school). That was 1991. 16 years is a long time. Enough time to finish high school, live together for two years in college, witness 4 presidential elections, watch 16 Academy Award shows and see the two of them pursue comedy in their own ways. Chris never thought he would be getting married 16 years ago, but he's glad that his oldest and dearest friend is right by his side. This time, without tap shoes.

Kristin is Jessica’s longest lasting friend of all time. Kristin wrote Jessica a “welcome to Fresno” letter at the age of 7 and was the first friend she made at Starr Elementary School. Growing up only a block from each other in houses with the same layout, these two have been through more than you could imagine! Junior high drama, high school woes, mission trips, road trips, college seeking nightmares, boyfriends, losses, loves and they always return to each other with sisterly love and a commitment to end up “in rockers when they are 90.” Kristin took off to University of Redlands when Jess left for Kalamazoo College and they remained the best of friends across the distance and life changes. Kristin is a teacher and cares deeply for all her students. Kristin has always told the most fantastic stories and is constantly recounting bazaar dreams for Jess or catching her up on old friends in the Fresno Bee. She is a remarkable listener and a second backbone for Jess.

As children, Cary Berzac would call Chris and Corey “Search and Destroy”. Chris would find interesting things within the house or at the mall and he would coax Corey into breaking them. No mannequin was safe from these two. Funny how things change... Corey now just injures himself on the soccer field and Chris finds ways to make people laugh onstage. Chris and Corey may not seem like they are related in the least bit but family has a way of doing that, bringing people together who would normally not hang out. Chris is honored that Corey is standing up with him during his wedding and hopes that Corey keeps living life to it’s bone breaking fullest. Ask him about the time he broke his thumb in 4^th grade.

On family trips across the country Eric and Jessica always sat in the back seat of the Happy HoffMobile (a white Ford XL van). From that back seat they could control the flow of soda and pester people to the point of breaking, always saving their butts with the reminder “we’re just having fun.” In high school Eric joined Jessica in the marching band and in school musicals and somehow their social circles became intertwined and they’ve been friends who happen to be siblings ever since. Jessica admires Eric’s free spirit, self awareness and fierce loyalty to his friends. Eric is a brilliant artist who happened to take detours in marketing, an adoption agency and grassroots politics, all of which just make him that much more fantastic to be near. Eric, who Jessica always calls “Ricky” is a great dancer and very tall, so all you single ladies or ladies with duds of dudes, get on his dance card!

Early in her Chicago days Jessica and Sara met at an early Tangerine Arts Group production where Jessica was swallowing fire and where Sara’s boyfriend Jon was hosting a kissing booth. Sooner than later Sara stepped up into the leadership circle of TAG and eventually led the Board of Directors while Jessica served as the Executive Director. Sara has significant history in theatre (Stage Manager for Blue Man Group!) and in non-profit management so she was a valued mentor for Jess. Sara was also the person who first invited Jess to attend Broadway United Methodist Church where they both still attend and sing Alto in the choir. Jessica was honored to “stage manage” Sara’s August 2006 wedding to Jon (the kissing booth boyfriend) where Chris gave a toast about the beauty of nerd love. Sara and Jon are great friends to Chris and Jess, brilliant Guitar Hero competitors and solid Avon walkers. Sara is a woman of value and honor whom Jessica greatly admires.

Amazingly, Jess and Teresa have only lived in proximity to each other for 8 months, yet 10 years later they are still bosom buddies. Originally two of the members of the freshman class “Loud Mouthed Broads” club at Kalamazoo College, Teresa moved back to Minnesota after one year while Jess finished out school in Michigan. Both as similar and different as two people can get, Teresa really skipped the friend stage and has always been a sister to Jess. Their bond was strengthened when Jessica became Godmother to Teresa and Matt’s daughter, Grace Elizabeth, who is now 5 and proud to be a flowergirl. Teresa recently became a fulltime stay-at-home mom and full-time beauty consultant for Mary Kay cosmetics where she keeps hitting her marks in sales and impressing all those around her.

Ryan appeared to Jess in the middle of her Junior year at Kalamazoo College in the midst of many transitions and changes. After a year of “getting to know you” time Jess asked Ryan to be the sound designer for her senior thesis production. This 75 minute show proved to be a remarkable experience that bonded the two as collaborators, kindred souls, like minded thinkers and friends. Throughout Jess’ first year in Chicago Ryan was abroad in London and somehow the distance amplified the friendship immensely. Jess remembers spending hundreds of dollars on long distance calling cards and chatting to London for hours on end. Ryan now is pursuing a doctorate in psychoanalytic theory at SUNY Buffalo and passing every benchmark known. His work is recognized by esteemed scholars and he is at the beginning of an extremely bright career. Ryan is a dear friend to Jess.

Chris recalls a time Beth and he drove from Chicago to Michigan in middle of winter. Beth's Jeep has heated seats and they made a bet about who could last longer with the seats on hi and the car's heater blasting on full. This lasted for a good long while, until they both needed a rest stop more than a win. It was a draw, and a good example of Chris' relationship with his little sister. They don't compete with each other and don't seem to make a lot of sense when they get together. Chris is very proud of Beth. She has her Masters degree and works with visually impaired veterans at a VA hospital. She's always been the care taker of the Berzac family and Chris has leaned on her more times than he can remember and she is there for him without fail. Chris says, "I love my sister and hope that we always remain friends. Even though I think I won the bet."

An early bloomer, Jon works as a graphic designer in Chicago, where he has enjoyed spending time with the Hozacs on many occations. Pictured here in their triumphant 2007 bid for the Avon Walk, Jon and Chris share many common interests including The Flash, Breast Cancer, Bacon, Guitar Hero, cross-city scavenger hunts for groups of college students, and the CTA Brown Line. Jon was extremely grateful to have Team Hozac run his wedding smooth and on-schedule during the late summer of 2006, and he is so happy that their big day is finally finally almost here. He also built this website.

Matt Keene is a nice guy. Seriously, he's the nicest guy you know. He never gets mad and never does anything mean to anyone. Honestly, try to make him mad. It won't work. Chris met Matt when they were in classes at Improv Olympic together. They also went on to form an improv team called Cool Kids Leave the Party with other friends. They performed some truly great shows together and some really horrible shows together. Chris says, "Ask Matt about our first show at the Hideout where he made a "bold" choice that made people leave the bar." Matt now lives in LA is pursuing his acting career.