Wedding Party
Audriena Lewis
Maid of Honor
Audriena- or as I may call her Bean, Beanie Bop, Nugget, Driens, Drien Bean. My favorite thing to call her is my first niece. The one who softened a piece of my heart and soul beyond measure. She's bold, brave, outgoing, beyond smart, crafty as all get out (she’ll prob try to sell you a bracelet or painting honestly) and one of the funniest people I know. She's still a teenager though. Quick tip? Don't let us be hangry at the same time. Asking her to be my maid of honor was a magical moment and I cannot wait to see you all dolled up and standing by my side.
John Franck
Best Man
John and I met on the sidewalk outside Mrs. Harris’s 1st grade classroom at Northeastern Elementary School, and (aside from various career and school travels) have basically been attached at the hip ever since. Whether it was watching pro wrestling together as kids (or let’s be honest, as adults too), driving to 3 different colleges over a weekend (because “why not?”), or dipping our toes into the podcast scene, we rarely end the day without wiping away tears of laughter. John is also everything I want in a best friend: fiercely loyal, supportive, empathetic, dependable, and almost the most important, funny.
Kayli Lewis
Matron of Honor
Well we’ve been best friends since 2006, therefore I have a million things I could write about Kayli. A lot of which would not be suitable for family eyeballs to read. However, there is a lot about her that is everything you’d want in a best friend, let alone a boss (technically my work landlord but I digress) From “running” cross country together, multiple road trips (that I’ve feared for my life if she’s driving), concerts where we scream and cry to Taylor Swift, Kesha, or some random person in Nashville. The moments I hold closest to my heart are those in between the highlight reel. Our laughter syncing together, right before the tears flow, followed by more laughs because we are living the lives our middle school selves dreamed of and that’s all girlhood is about.
Braydon Campbell
Groomsman
Braydon and I also became friends at Northeastern in first grade, but didn’t really reconnect until I moved back home from the Air Force. The childhood bond we had morphed into geeking out about music, pro wrestling & UFC. As well as having all the traits you want in a best friend, Braydon has the unique ability to allow me to be vulnerable when I’ve needed it, and then immediately tell me a story of how he strangled someone in jiu-jitsu. To say his friendship has been valued is a huge understatement.
Brooke Armour
Bridesmaid
The thought of meeting your new boyfriend’s sister can be extremely nerve wracking. Derek told me there was ZERO to worry about. And he wasn’t wrong. Brooke is one of the nicest, easiest to talk to, badass mom, wife, daughter and sister I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know. However, I swear she cheats at left, right, center (dice game) and steals everyone’s money. I’ve been raised an only child but living the rest of my life with a sister like you is going to be one heck of an experience.
Bryan Armour
Groomsman
I met Bryan in the early 2010’s when he began dating my sister. From a big brother’s standpoint, I couldn’t have asked for a better man to take care of my sister the way he has. He is a devoted husband & father, a driven career man, and just an all around great human being. I sometimes forget that he’s my brother-in-law & not just one of my best friends.
Rachel Payne
Bridesmaid
Saved in my phone as Ratchet ever since the day we met, but really I was the one getting my first tattoo in some strangers kitchen, at 15, so who’s the actual “ratchet” one in that picture? It’s known that Rachel and I are each others polar opposite. The MaryAnn to my Wanda, the golden retriever to my black cat, every metaphor for that relationship is us. With that being said, she’s fiercely protective and will never forget if someone has crossed her loved ones. Being one of the loved ones whose heart is protected by her is a blessing, and knowing she’s not ever had to wipe tears away these past few years makes having her by my side on wedding day an indescribable gift.
James Elizondo
Groomsman
James (or “Chico”, as he’s affectionately called) and I become close in middle school. We played football together & ran track together once we got into high school. Being senior leaders on that team is where our friendship solidified. Chico is the type of friend where you could call him in the middle of the night & all he would say is “where do you need me & whose car are we taking?”. He has inspired me to not be afraid of taking risks, and if you’re going to do something, don’t half-ass it.
Jordan Welch
Bridesmaid
This is the friendship I gained later in life. One that we know each others trauma like the back of our hands but I couldn’t tell you her favorite color if I was being held hostage and that was my way out. She’s annoyingly good in our fantasy football league, an Alani Nu connoisseur (like myself), makes a mean soup or two, and enjoys long walks thru the grocery store while we say we’re gonna try new beers but never really do. We’ve spent many nights in her garage crying, laughing and getting a text to shush it because her husband has to work the next morning. Making friends as an adult isn’t easy but our friendship is as solid as one from childhood.
Hunter Siler
Groomsman
You know the two friends who you’d think actually hates each other? Thats Hunter and I. Whether it’s Ohio State vs Michigan, Red Sox vs Yankees, or whatever other minuscule thing it could be, Hunter and I will undoubtedly be yelling at each other over it. It’s not because we hate each other-quite the opposite. We have such fierce love for one another that we just can’t help but bully each other incessantly. Hunter and I became close our senior year & formed an ironclad friendship after surviving our “party years” together. We may not like the same sports teams, but to have a teammate like Hunter in this game of Life means the world to me.
Bristol & Blake Armour
Flower Girls
What a joy it has been watching these two grow up. Bristol is the older of the two, full of sass & enough energy to make an ultra-marathon runner tired. Blake, the youngest, is a tad more inquisitive and observant, but still just as mischievous as her older sister. Ornery as they may be, they’re also the most caring, loving, and funniest kids I’ve ever met. Having them be a part of our wedding day will be such a special moment we’ll cherish forever.
Buster
Honorary Mention Fur Baby
The star of our show, who sadly can’t leave the house without anxiety meds in his old age. I’ve had Buster since early 2018, I rescued him while living in Indiana. He was abandoned on the road and there was speculation of abuse in his file. We have been thru some of the worst moments in life together, but he has been my ride or die. Hes moved around in multiple homes but has been resilient as ever. Bus doesn’t play as much as he once did, but he is the most snuggly baby and that’s enough for me. He is weird with men, but Derek (the dog whisperer) is his favorite person on the planet.. yes, my fiancé stole MY dog. He pulls the little energy he has left out and plays hide and seek with him once a day, must see him first thing in the morning and gives him kisses whenever he asks. If I ask for a kiss? He jumps down, runs to Derek, gives him a kiss, and stares at me. It’s rude, but it makes my day to know he’s also found his home in Derek’s love.