Desirea & Christian
Wedding Party
Valerie Thompson
Matron of Honor
I first met Val in elementary school, where we quickly developed separation anxiety from each other. Her house was my second home growing up, until we decided to ditch our parents and move to URI as roommates... for all 4 years! Together, we have lived in a dorm that got condemned, almost died ( a few times) in her Ford Tempo, gotten tattoos, listened to Whitney Huston more times than I can count, prank called our entire contact list, watched friends 3,000 + times, shared heartache, lost loved ones, celebrated joy, and welcomed new babies. She is more than my best friend, after all these years she is my family!
Elvin Reynoso
Best Man
There is so much one can share about their best friend, but most of that stuff isn't for public consumption. To say that Elvin and I have been through a lot is the understatement of the century. We didn't officially meet until freshman year of high school, but we have been inseparable since. We have done it all. At one point we may have "borrowed" his parent's car while they were out of town to go watch a Thanksgiving day football game. We have worked at several places together (Service Merchandise, Metro One), we have lived together, we moved to California together and now he's my best man! We have talked about this day for a long time, I couldn't be more excited or honored to have Elvin. my brother from another mother next to me on this day and also because Des is stuck with him too.
Kristine Mooney
Bridesmaid
I first met Kristine when I was 5. She is my first cousin I remember being born, and despite all my efforts to hold her, her mother would just not allow it! I used to spend a lot of my summer days at her house "watching" her and her brother Nate. My babysitting abilities back then was teaching them how to eat uncooked butter with brown sugar on it! Thankfully, we grew out of that stage, replaced butter with wine, and became friends as the years moved on. We shared a prom dress, a field hockey stick, a car, and a million laughs with, and at our moms and grandmother! She is my family, but also one of my best friends. She is notorious for a good laugh, and great advice!
Craig Tatum
Groomsman
Craigory Lewis Tatum and I met when I first moved to San Diego. Like many bromances it was immediate and it was hard! We moved in together and lived so long with each other we considered becoming partners to get all the benefits the state or the federal government allowed. Thank god Craig met Rita and she pulled him away from me. In those years Craig not only proved to be a great roommate, but also friend, and brother. Craig showed me the art of dancing, how to Irish goodbye like the ghost that he is and also how to be an adult. So blame him for most it! I can't wait to see the dance moves the "Shimmy" has waiting for this party!
Tasha Berube
Bridesmaid
I first met Tasha when I was 6 months old. I don't remember it, but we have a ton of pictures to prove it! Tasha and I literally grew up together. She is my cousin, but was my first real friend. I never had a babysitter growing up, her house was it. We are the same age and have done everything together, we even used to go to each others school dances. Tasha is such an inspiration to me. She is an amazing mother of 3 boys..and is still laid back. I don't know how she does it, but I hope to be like her when i'm a mom!
Emmanuel Cabrera
Groomsman
Baby bro, my mini me, my little boy wonder. "Manny" and I have known each other since Manny surprised his family with his birth! Goody as he is lovingly nicknamed, was put through the ringer growing up with me. He was my first roommate for most of his life all the way up to high school. When we were kids all he ever wanted to do was play video games with me or follow me around, I never let him do it. For that and many more reasons he earned himself all the accolades a guy can get. We have been through so much and each year gets better and better. I am so happy and proud to have him share in our big day.
Noelia Cabrera
Bridesmaid
I am so happy to be gaining Noelia as my sister. The first time we met, it was like we were friends for years. She has quickly become my makeup and hair guru, and loves to rag on Christian as much as I do! She immediately made me feel like part of the family, and I'm thrilled that I finally get the sister I always wanted!
Chris O'Rourke
Groomsman
Christopher P. O'Rourke and I met in middle school. But most importantly, after so many years of friendship, Chris was the trailblazer in the friend group that first moved to California. Thus bringing us all together. We have done so much together, including basketball, traveling, bachelor parties, concerts. We even donated our time to help Methuen residents by collecting their Christmas decoration donations for our class hall way competition senior year of high school. On our friendship resume is also some light trespassing at "haunted houses" in neighboring towns. We are founding members of the BOC and the infamous "gauntlet" in PB, etc, etc. We have been terrorizing the world for far too long, with many more years to come!
Jocelyn Fielding
Bridesmaid
I met Jocelyn the day I moved to San Diego, where she let me stay on her couch for 2 weeks until I found an apartment. We became fast friends, which progressed to her being my #wifey after all our date nights! Thankfully, she has given Christian her blessing to take her place, although she has left some pretty big shoes to fill. We have traveled to multiple countries together, drank all the wine, and tried every different kind of workout together. To be honest, I'd be lost here without her. I joke that Jocelyn has known me for all my san diego lives, and I am very happy she will be by my side for the next chapter of my life!
Jay Tuminowski
Groomsman
Jay Tuminowski is a huge reason why we are all here. Although it was O'Rourke who first moved to California, "Toomz" was the first to say - "hey let's check it out". I first met the "little guy" freshman year of high school when we were at the end of the bench on freshman basketball. Toomiez has always been there for me. From letting me crash at his house when my parents moved to Florida when we were in college, to introducing me to Sublime before anyone thought they were cool, he has always been a friend and brother.
Joanna Fox
Bridesmaid
I met this blonde bombshell when I first moved to San Diego. Her and Jocelyn had gone to college together and welcomed me into their group with open arms. JoJo and I have a very special bond, and have a very similar past. She has been a constant rock in my life and an inspiration to follow my arrow. We have shared so many laughs, supported each other through some pretty tough years, and have always been each others cheerleader ( except for her bug phase, I did not encourage that) She is truly one of my favorite people.
Rob Fackler
Groomsman
Rob Fackler, aka Bobby Digital, aka el camarón corajudo (Rob was playfully nicknamed this by some coworkers it means quick tempered shrimp), aka Christian's muscle. Another great friend I met as soon as I moved to California. Before Des, Rob was my last roommate in California, and we lived together for 3 years. These years were obviously the best of Rob's life as he met his wonderful fiance Alyssa during this time. Rob taught me many a lesson in these years, like how to prepare certain meals or how to deal with anger management. I am and will always be eternally grateful and I consider Rob and Alyssa family.
Landy Rosemann
Bridesmaid
Landy and I met in 2010 when we both started working for UCSD. It was her first night shift ,and she was eating green beans out of a can at the nurses station. I remember thinking to myself "we are going to get along just fine" and have been friends ever since. We were together so much our patients would get us confused, and the hashtag Mexicaricantwin was born. Landy is my comic relief in every situation, her quick whit and sarcastic humor is one to be jealous of. She is also the most generous, kind, and empathetic person I know. We have shared so many work stories, had yearly #girlztrips, survived 18 days in Thailand together, and even lived together. She is Arya's godmother, and calls me sister which is exactly how I feel about her!
Vance Stevens
Groomsman
First met Albert Vance Stevens when I first moved to California. We both immediately bonded over basketball, beers, politics (Vance is pro Anarchy) and Kriss Kross. I of course was always impressed with Vance's defensive prowess on the basketball court - and thus the flying squirrel was born. Having lived together on a couple of occasions (Vance just couldn't get enough) we became great friends and continue to this day.