Victoria & Alex
Wedding Party
Victoria McDowell
Bride
I have been dreaming of this day since I'd watched 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' for the first time when I was 7. The process took longer than I'd expected, finding a nice man and all. There were time's in my life before when I thought I had found my future husband, and obviously that worked out exactly how it was meant to. It wasn't until I had actually quit looking for love, that God stopped one right in front of me (literally, you'll hear that story at the wedding). I couldn't be happier than I am right now, and I'm so grateful to my family, my friends, and most of all my insanely handsome fiancé for always sticking by my side through anything and everything. I love you all, see you in October!
Alex Lewandowski
Groom
Loves: - Victoria - Pooka -Winnie - Star Wars - Pokemon - Fishing -Shoes (maybe not in that order)
Adriana
Maid of Honor
Adriana has been my best friend for over 10 years now. I don't know if I've even had a favorite color for 10 years straight. We met in middle school, thanks to a great mutual friend of ours. I'm pretty sure we had our first sleepover after knowing each other for a whole day. Adriana is the type of friend who will do anything with out, good or bad, and have just as much fun in the process. She's the kind of best friend you can share your ugliest secrets with and you know she'll keep them. I couldn't ask for anything more! I'm very excited to have her by my side on my big day!
Tyler Richardson
Best Man
The only person Alex loves more than or equal to me. Tyler is Alex's best friend (basically brother if you ask me). Fishing friend, workout friend, need a fence built in a day friend.
Alexa
Bridesmaid
Alexa. Wow. Alexa is someone you need in your life. She's the kind of friend who is brutally honest, no matter if you want to hear it or not. She'll be there for you through the worst parts of your life, and party with you through the best. Alexa and I can go months on end without talking, and one day pick up the phone and talk to each other like no time has passed. One thing I love about Alexa, is that when we first became friends, she told me "you were really annoying when I met you", and it didn't even hurt my feelings. She tells it how it is, the good, the bad and the ugly. Like I said, everyone needs Alexa in their lives. I can't wait to spend my big day with you!
Frank
Groomsman
Alex's stepbrother, father of Cassius (coolest kid on the block), and teacher
Paytyn
Bridesmaid
Paytyn was my saving grace. I met her when I was a freshman at the University of Idaho. We had met for the first time at a party, and then I realized I was dating her cousin at the time. While the cousin didn't last long, mine and Paytyn friendship did. She was there for me, through the worst months of my life. If I needed her to bring a pint of Ben and Jerry's over, she'd bring two. She was my confidant, my buddy, my soul sister. She was there through the laughs, tears, and spontaneous trips to Spokane, and never asked for anything in return. I wish we lived closer, I love having her in my life. I can't wait to have you there in October, Payt!
Rebecca
Groomswoman
Alex's favorite cousin (don't tell any of the 381 others)
Harmony
Bridesmaid
Harmony... my very very first best friend. I called her Rose, as she called me Tori. She was my very first friend, which turned into my very first best friend. She grew up three houses down from me with her beautiful mama, Veda. Rose and I did everything together: sleepovers, church camp, YMCA days, chasing down the ice cream man with our bags of pennies. everything. Before middle school, she moved away and it was harder to visit her (until I got my drivers license of course). although the distance put a dent in our seeing each other, we'd never lost touch. No doubt she's my 'sister from another mister'. she's always been and will always be my first best friend. Love you Harmony Rose, see you on my big day!
Daniel
Groomsman
Alex's buddy from high school, turned current workout buddy now
Jayda
Bridesmaid
Jayda. Where do I even being with Jayda? How about the second grade. The very first time I met her. I shared a class with her twin sister, Nikki-- another good friend. As bad as I feel about it now, I could only tell them apart because Jayda had a scar under her eye from a 'fishing accident' haha. Though we went to different school for the rest of elementary school, we soon met each other again in middle school, and then high school. Sophomore year was our groundbreaking friendship. She was a true homie. Like Alexa, she doesn't hold back with the honesty-- which is just one of the many things I love about her. She's selfless, kind, creative (owns her own business creative!). She truly feels like a sister to me, and I couldn't imagine my life without her. Love you, Jayda!!
Tobias
Groomsman
Husband of favorite cousin Rebecca and he plays the guitar
Tanya
Mother of the Bride
Tanya, or as I call her: Mom, mommy, mama, mother (only if I'm feeling sassy). My mom is my angel. Figuratively speaking!! She always made sure I was protected, that I had the necessities, that I didn't feel outnumbered by my brothers, that I got everything I ever wanted. And I have. I'd always wanted to be like my mom growing up-- the soccer player (not the band player, no offense!). While soccer was on and off for me, she made sure I had other sports to keep me occupied like ballet, then soccer, basketball, then soccer, cheerleading, then soccer. While I'm not a soccer player, I still grew up being like my mom; marrying the love of my life and working doing what I love. I couldn't have grown up without out mama--literally. My unofficial wedding planner, my forever best friend
William
Father of the Bride
William. Can I call you that? No? Okay, dad. William, or Bill as most people call him, he's my dad. Not my real dad, not my step-dad. He's just dad. He's been my dad since before I could say the word dad. He taught me how to ride a bike, and then not even a year later taught me how to ride a dirt bike. He's that kind of dad that's not afraid to treat you like one of the boys, which was cool considering I grew up with boys. He's the man who gave me a sister-- so I'd say he's pretty great. He bought me my first car, and my second, and my third.. this could go on for a while. He taught me how to change spark plugs, shocks, tires, batteries... I should've worked at a tire store now that I think about it. He taught me how to grow up. He's my dad. I love you dad.
Michael
Father of the Bride
Did I mention my dad? or that I have two dads? I don't call them "real dad" and "step dad". They're both just dad. My dad; Michael, Mike, Mikey (okay nobody calls him Mikey), he's the kind of dad who wasn't close by, but just a phone call away. He, very selflessly, served in the United States Military for 27 years. A good portion of that was while I was growing up, so when my older brother and I got to visit him, we'd savor in all the time we could get. While I grew up in Idaho, he spent his childhood in Louisiana, where he's from. I've had the pleasure to visit his hometown, his parents, his sisters (and does he have a lot of sisters!). I love everything about my dad. Even when he tries to convince you to buy a Subaru every time he visits haha. So happy to have you in my life, Dad
Denise
Mother of the Bride
Denise is my bonus mom. She and my dad married while I was still young, so it's hard to imagine what my life would be like without her or her wonderful family in it. From her, I have two extra grandparents, an extra cool Aunt Deana, an extra uncle and probably a million extra cousins; some of which I share my favorite childhood memories with! Denise and I aren't super close like most mothers and daughters. The main reason being the distance while I was growing up. I do know we both share a love for the outdoors like hiking or walking, especially since they live in Washington -- somewhere that has the most beautiful trees and walking paths. I hope to be closer with her, and maybe someday we'll live closer together. I'm very grateful for her in my life. I'm excited to have you there!
Janice
Mother of the Groom
Janice.. my bff as I call her. Janice is Alex's mother. She probably qualifies as his best friend too, because he's always talking with her more than he talks to me! She's my bff though, I could tell this from the first date. She FaceTimed Alex while he and I had just met on our very first date. Of course he used this to his advantage, somehow knowing I like mamas boys. From the start, she's been nothing but kind, gracious, a true second mother to me. I say this because when we first moved to Texas, I had no friends. Except Janice. and did we become friends! From estate sales, to thrift stores, back to estate sales to buy her 20th set of china, back to thrift stores to get the cute shoes that were 30% off. I couldn't imaginary life without her. Love you Janice!
Abdu
Father of the Groom
Abdu is my soon to be father in law. He's probably the most interesting person I've ever met. Without him, I probably wouldn't know what shawarma, curry, or other 'exotic to me' foods taste like. If you have a question, 9 times out of 10 he has an answer. and a detailed explanation of that answer as well. Abdu is a friend to everyone. He makes you feel like you're a part of his family from the first time you meet him. He's been the best father to Alex, and the best grandpa to our nephew Cassius. I can't express how grateful I am to have met such a smart, caring, funny, sarcastic man as him. I'm lucky to be joining an amazing family as yours. Love you Abdu!
Elaina
Flower Girl
Elaina is my very beautiful, 5 (soon to be 6?!) year old niece. She's going to be 1/2 of my flower girl set for our big day. I was there when she was born, and I have loved her every second since. My beautiful sister, Kodie, has done such an amazing job raising her with the help of her amazing husband Beau. So lucky to have the cutest flower girls ever!
Amayah
Flower Girl
Amayah. The other half of my flower girl set. Although I wasn't there for her birth, she's basically looks just like me so that counts for something. She's the cutest, smartest little girl and my brother Alex (NOT THE FIANCE), and my gorgeous sister-in-law Denelle, have done the best with what they've been handed as parents. I aspire to be as good of a mom someday as she is to Amayah. Love my Maya girl!
William J. Stobaugh
Guardian Angel
William Stobaugh is my grandfather. He's someone I wish more than anything could be here today. He passed away when I was 16 years old. My grandpa was the greatest man I had ever met. He loved his children, his grandchildren, his wonderful wife, his amazing sisters, and everyone he was close to. I know he would be proud of me for finding a man like Alex. Somehow I think he had something to do with placing him in my life. They would have gotten along together great. My grandpa has missed so much in my life so far, as well as my brothers, my sister, my moms, my dads, everyones. Not a day goes by that I don't think about him and miss him dearly. He'll be at my wedding, just not how I'd pictured. The most amazing grandfather ever, William.