Kendra & Andrew
Wedding Party
Briggs aka Briggy aka Booger
Pupper of Honor
If you know Kendra, you know Briggs. Briggs is Kendra's first true love, her pupper soulmate, her ride or die, and her biggest fan. Besides saving babies, Kendra's life has been dedicated to ensuring that Briggs achieves maximal comfort for all naps (this means making sure all body parts are fully supported by super comfy squishy pillows), never has to beg too hard for table scraps, has at least 3 bones within a paw's distance at all times, and always has a human to cuddle with when she's away. Kendra has been known to call out of work if Briggs does something extra cute and frequently turns down social invitations because heck, what better company is there than a little meatball named Briggs?!
Alfie
Best Pupper
Alfie is Kendra and Andy's little lamb in wolf's clothing. His nickname is the "backup dog” and his primary function is to serve as Briggy’s playmate (we all know who wears the pants in this family and she walks on all fours). Just kidding, we love him almost as much as we love Briggs! Alfie was adopted in May 2018 and has made for a perfect (very very hairy) addition to our family. He’s our little escape artist and is known for taking a stuffed toy with him any time he goes out (paging all dog psychologists... we still haven’t figured out what this is about?!). He makes lots of interesting jealousy noises when Briggs is getting cuddles (i.e., 23 hours a day), yet has turned into a very protective brother to his big sister. Alfie may look scary to some but he couldn’t be a sweeter boy!
Katie aka Big Skiff
Matron of Honor
Katie ("Big Skiff") is the older sister to Kendra ("Little Skiff"). They have a rocky history notable for a total refusal to share food (we're talking separate pantry shelves people) and the inability to touch or share space in any way (their mother purchased a minivan so they could each have their own row) until they hit their 20's. Needless to say, sharing clothes was not a problem for these two! They have greatly matured, however, and Katie is now one of Kendra's best friends. Not only do they share a sense of humor that few people understand (teasing their mom may be their favorite past time!), but Katie has been there for all the ups and downs of adulthood, has mentored Kendra through her nursing career, and continues to threaten to beat anyone up that messes with her little sister.
Beth ("Ben") Palarca
Matron of Honor
Beth is Kendra's oldest friend and mom to the cutest, sweetest, sassiest flower girls to ever walk down the aisle. Beth met Kendra when she moved from Hawaii to Virginia in 8th grade and they quickly bonded over their braces, bad hair, and highwater pants. They spent every second together through cheerleading and weekly sleepovers, and Beth even drove Kendra's brand new car before Kendra did (Kendra was still learning how to drive stick shift). They remained close friends over the years and not only did they live together after college, Kendra was one of Beth's Maid of Honor when she married the fabulous Mario in 2008. Kendra continues to visit Beth often so she can learn just how a supermom gets things done. Long story short, Beth is who Kendra wants to be when she grows up!
Molly and Allie Palarca
Flower Power
Molly and Allie are the light of Kendra’s life (following Briggs... and Andy too she supposes). They are Kendra’s adopted nieces and may be loved more by Kendra than their own parents, Beth and Mario Palarca. You can usually find them whizzing by on their scooters, decorating Briggs with costume jewelry, and preparing lush (although make believe) meals for Kendra and Beth. They are endlessly entertaining, adventurous, creative, smart as a whip, and brave as heck! What more could you want for your flower patrol?!
Leslie (aka Wifey) Parker
Bestie
Kendra and Leslie went to law school together and until Andy came along, Leslie was the sole friend in Kendra's life she has ever been able to live with longer than 9 months. In fact, they lived together all 3 years of law school! They bonded over late night study sessions, boy troubles, and cheap Chinese food (NHK or bust!). Kendra got to see Leslie meet and marry her husband Matt, have 2 oh-so-adorable kiddos, 2-year-old Betsy and 6-month-old Timmy, and become the super mom and successful attorney she was destined to be! She has always been a true and steady friend to Kendra and will always be Kendra's one and only Wifey.
Kate Cooper
Bestie
Kate and Kendra met in law school and were fortunate to be in the same cohort of classmates (Section 3 for life!). Kate regularly entertained Kendra with her unique note-taking style (e.g., "So the judge was like dude, objection overruled) and they bonded over their deep love for Chris Brown (pre-Rihanna scandal of course) and the b*tchin power suits of their Property professor. Kate met the love of her life Adam (who we briefly thought was also her cousin) in law school and together they have 2 adorable kiddos, Charlie (3) and Eleanor (6 months). Kate is truly one of the most entertaining and insanely smart yet down to earth people Kendra has ever met!
Katie (aka Monkey) Scearce
Bestie
Katie and Kendra met at the College of William & Mary, where they were freshman hallmates and cheerleading teammates! Kendra was part of an integral time in Katie's life where she transformed from Martha Stewart to Amal Clooney in a matter of weeks. Katie is well-known around Europe for naming her walking book "Betty Boot" after she got a stress fracture while studying/backpacking abroad and Kendra had the honor of pushing her around the Louvre in a wheelchair. They also traveled to Costa Rica in 2011 and had such a great time that Kendra and Andy re-did the trip last November! Katie is that one friend Kendra planned to live next door to, have babies at the same time as, and generally be besties with for the rest of their lives. Bonus: Katie is getting married just 2 weeks after Kendra!
Rachel McLaughlin
Bestie
Rachel and Kendra met as college cheerleaders... Rachel is legit funnier than Amy Schumer... The kind of funny where your face hurts and your abs are sore the next day. She is extremely talented at making prank calls and is Kendra's favorite person to "T-dub," sing "War, What is it Good For," and watch YouTube videos of people falling on treadmills with. She also happens to be a bad a** in the marketing business and supermom to 1-year-old and future ladies' man, Carter. During her 20's, Kendra essentially lived on Rachel's couch in NYC where they became Passion Pit groupies, took long runs across the Queensboro bridge, and ate gallons of banana bread pudding. Rachel is the kind of person that can make any day better and Kendra can't imagine getting married without her there!
Allie deMoncada
Bestie
Allie and Kendra met in nursing school and quickly realized they were both college cheerleaders, both majored in neuroscience, and were both very short. However, they didn't become close friends until they landed in the same clinical group on the psychiatric ward! They now work together on the Cardiac ICU at Children's National in DC, where they have shared many ups, downs, tragedies, and successes. Allie has been a genuine friend to Kendra, no matter how often Kendra teases her (as she admits, awkward is her specialty!), and is one of those special people with a truly good heart.
Jon Morgia
Best Man
Jon and Andy met after their baseball playing careers ended, but were roommates from when Andy was in graduate school to the years after living in Glen Riddle. They’ve played hundreds of rounds of golf together and currently hold the Member Guest record for fewest flights won as teammates (zero!!). Jon has seen Andy through a lot of ups and downs and been a friend that always has his back, which is why he’s the one standing up with him when Andy gets married.
Rob Kassekert
Buddy
Rob is one of Andy’s oldest friends, as they met during college orientation before starting their illustrious short careers as Siena baseball players. They’ve spent countless hours on the golf course, going to Mets - Phillies games and singing the praises of Coach Rossi together. Rob is one of the funniest people Andy’s ever met and is always ready to give the crowd a good “Tiger!!”.
Jeff Kingsbury
Buddy
Andy and Jeff met during their days living in Ocean City and trying to figure out how they could get in an emergency nine holes of golf after work, before heading to Sunset. As another one of Andy’s golf buddies and fellow thread member, they’ve taken multiple trips to SBW in Florida, spent all day long at Tugos for football and even managed a few member guest flight wins together (no thanks to Andy’s golf game).
Matt Johnson
Buddy
Matt and Andy met in college as baseball players, but became better friends in the years after. Again, thanks to their mutual golf addiction. They’ve played more rounds of golf at South River & Queenstown thanks to the “Shirk discount” than they can, or wish to, remember. Andy can only hope to keep up with Matt’s level of sarcasm.
Jake Southards
Buddy
Jake and Andy met when they were both still living in Ocean City and trying to see who could put up bigger numbers on the party track. As a fellow thread member, they’ve spent plenty of time busting on each other, eating countless slices at Tugos and missing rounds of golf during SBW.
Steve Bottini
Buddy
Steve is Andy’s oldest friend, going back to little league baseball and 6th grade whale watch trips to Boston. They’ve spent hours playing basketball at Willard Prior Elementary and complaining about the Syracuse Basketball team. Steve’s house was always a second home for Andy growing up.