Grace & Chris
Wedding Party
Ashley Sumrall
Matron of Honor
This is my Ash. She is a mommy of two and a bonus child(that I claim as my own), a wife, a best friend, and the most organized person I’ve ever met. We've been friends since 9th grade when we met at Northside High school. We've had a lot of firsts together(some good, some not so good) but we share so many fun memories that I truly do cherish. She is so full of life, its hard not to smile when you're in her presence. She has been an amazing friend through all the ups and downs, and I’m so happy that she is apart of this up. She’s been a true staple in my life and i feel like one lucky girl that i get to do life with her.
Rachel Thigpen
Matron of Honor
This is Rachee chee. She is a mom to two beautiful children and a bonus child, a wife, a best friend, and a kick ass business lady. To know her is to love her. She is one of the funniest people i know and is always the life of the party. We met at Ginger Michelle years and years ago, maybe 10? She has been a huge part of my everyday life(most days she’s my wake up call and Chris loves that). I thank God for a friend like her. She has the biggest heart and it shows through her actions. Everyone thinks we're sisters and i'm totally okay with that!
Kaylie Sturick
Matron of Honor
My sweet Chaywie. She is a mommy to the chunkiest loveable baby there ever was, a wife, best friend, and the most driven, hard working, hard headed nurse out there. We met over 10 years ago at a party in Chris's garage, and even though it took some convincing on my part she quickly became a friend for life. She is loyal and sweet and when she loves she loves hard. I've experienced that first hand. She's always been there, and i know she always will be. She is a big contributing factor to who I am now and where i am in this life, and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else but here. She's the type of friend you wanna have, and I'm lucky to have her!
Josh Cook
Best Man
Appropriately named, The Best Man, please allow me introduce you to my older brother, Joshua Cody Cook. Now that I think about it, I feel like I’ve known Josh my whole life… *drum sting* Josh is a father, a husband, and the Yin to my Yang. We couldn’t be more different if we tried yet we are fundamentally the same. Paired together we are perfectly balanced. Which is ironic, considering we’re both clumsy as all get out. I admire all that Josh is and all that he will be. God has blessed me many times and with many things in my short life. One of the greatest gifts He has given me is an older brother. A brother’s love is something I wish everyone could experience but only a select few know. In an attempt to summarize it for those who do not know I’ll leave you with this: From the moment I was born, since my very first breath, I’ve never taken a step on this earth without Josh’s love surrounding me.
Carrington Ethridge
Groomsman
I’m admittedly a fan of epics. Tales of protagonists battling through trials and tribulations in search of triumph. In most epics, like the Iliad and the Odyssey or The Epic of Gilgamesh, the protagonist often finds a counterpart along his journey. Typically by happenstance and often met with resistance. I say this because it’s difficult to explain my relationship with Carrington in any other way. I’m not here to argue who’s Gilgamesh or Enkidu. Simply put, Carrington has been by my side since I first moved to Warner Robins as a child. There’s never been a fight I could pick or a journey I could choose that Carrington wouldn’t navigate alongside me. He is my confidant in every sense of the word. On my grandfather’s deathbed he gifted Carrington an heirloom. I hope it serves as a reminder that as long as my family is alive Carrington will never be alone. On the day of my wedding, my ultimate triumph, it is only fitting he stands by my side.
Jeff Sturick
Groomsman
The day Grace and I got back together, after a decade long break, the first place we went to announce the big news was Jeff’s house. When my brother and mama left Warner Robins for good there was a feeling I no longer had a home here. I would come back here to visit when I lived in Atlanta and Jeff’s door was always open for me. He has provided me, and other strays like me, safe haven for as long as I’ve known him. There is something to be said about having a constant in your life. A constant advisor, friend, and comrade. Jeff is a lot of peoples’ best friend for a common reason; his heart is the compass that guides him. That same heart serves as a lighthouse to help the rest of us get back home. It is a shelter to keep us safe and a table for us to eat. And on my wedding day it will be all of those things simultaneously. How lucky could I be?