Bride
Hello there! I’m the happy little bride of this party! For those of you that may not know me as well, I love to explore the outdoors, paint pictures of plants, hang out with my pals, & talk for hours & hours! I am in love with Jonny Rodgers & I am super stoked to be his wife!!!
Groom
Hello! I am the groom and soon to be husband of my beautiful bride, Christine! For those of you who do not know me, I am an adventurer, a nature enthusiast, a creator and a lover of thrifting. From these traits I have developed a love for photography, videography and creative design. You can always find me adventuring somewhere with Christine, so let us know if you are planning any adventures and we’ll tag along. I am so excited to have you attend our wedding! It will truly be a glorious occasion.
Maid of Honor
Hi! I’m Veronica. Christine is not only my sister but also my best friend, favorite playmate, trusted confidante and fearless defender! Fun story: One time when Christine was 3, she noticed me playing outside near a bee. Concerned that I might get stung, Christine ran between me and the bee, on a mission to protect her older sister! She then proceeded to KICK THE BEE. On the downside, the bee stung her (because of course it did!) and she cried a lot. On the upside, the bee didn’t sting me, so technically she succeeded in her mission. :) Thanks for always looking out for me, Christine! I’m so glad you and Jonny found each other so the two of you can explore nature together, observe the bees together, determine which bees are worth fighting, and, when necessary, take on the bees—together. :)
Best Man
My name is David Rodgers. Me and Jonathan go way back. I can’t even remember the first time we met. You could say we are brothers from the same mother, but that would be an understatement. Jonathan and I were named after David and Jonathan from the Bible, who were best friends. I can confidently say that Jonathan has been my best friend throughout my life, and we could give the Biblical David and Jonathan a run for their money. Being friends and brothers with Jonathan has taught me how to be satisfied in the present and how to be “chillax”. His ability to hide for days on end to read a book or willingness to hang out with me without any “set in stone plans” are classic examples of Jonathan’s influential chillness at work. I will have more to say during my “Best Man” speech. Stay Tuned.
Bridesmaid
How to condense 20 years of friendship into a paragraph? I could say the day I met Chris, I told my parents I met my best friend. Or how we played with the Disney castle or house with the kitchen play-set. Of course, I could never leave out flying around as Peter Pan while Mr. Shreve chased us with a hook & feathered hat. Who could forget the hot coco powder we hid so we could eat spoonfuls all day, or our HIGHLY choreographed dance to Jump 5! I could go on with years worth of stories, but some of my favorite memories-our conversations! Time or distance is irrelevant, Chris has always been there for me! Whether in a hammock by the lake, or over Skype, you can expect hours of conversation! These memories make me overjoyed to be part of this beautiful new chapter in my dear friend’s life.
Groomsman
I am Ben Pearce. I met Jonny and Christine our sophomore year of college. That was before they began dating. Since then, I have witnessed before my eyes a godly and loving relationship blossom from a seed into a beautiful tree. It was clear that Jonny loved Christine, especially Senior year. He has demonstrated the sacrificial love required of a husband in Ephesians. Specifically, I remember a walk the three of us took in the woods by school after Christine received her wheelchair. Jonny pushed that chair over the tree roots and dirt without so much as a tired complaint. He truly loves her, and she truly loves him. They both demonstrate what love truly is, a reflection of the being of God. May he bless them with many more adventures and a lifetime of Christian love!
Bridesmaid
When I met Chris & Jonny freshman year, we went on countless adventures to Harris Teeter. Sophomore year I watched Jonny & Chris’ friendship blossom into a flirtationship. We knew it was true love when Chris regularly read a leadership textbook to Jonny at 12 am! Junior & senior years I saw the beauty of their relationship as they endured many unexpected hardships. Chris has taught me to be brave & stand up for those who are mistreated. In postgrad life as I pursue a career as an artist, Chris has been one of my biggest supporters & influences. She taught me that every sunset is beautiful & even cockroaches have something to offer! Debatable, but I am moved by her ability to see beauty everywhere. She is my fearless fennec fox & I am so happy the fox found the hound.
Groomsman
John has been one of my best friends for as long as I can remember. I have so many fond memories with him and David throughout the years. Whether it be exploring outside or playing video games, John has always been a great friend and influence to be around. I’m so happy to see him and Christine together and excited for their special day
Bridesmaid
Christine and I have been friends since the very start of our freshman year of college! Jonny and I have been good friends since high school, so watching their relationship unfold has been a wonderful journey. Christine and I have been friends for about five years, but it feels like much longer. We have had the opportunity to go on some amazing adventures together, both across the world & in Newport News! We share a love of exploring our hometowns, & some of my favorite memories with her include discovering new places together. She makes me laugh, is a safe and solid friend to come to for advice, & always pushes me to do the right thing, even when it’s tough to. I consider our friendship a great kindness of God. I am so excited to stand by C & J on their wedding day! Let’s freakin GO!!
Groomsman
I’ve known Jonathan since we shared a class together in preschool. Throughout the years we’ve shared many fond memories, but one of my favorite is teaming up in dodgeball on Wednesday nights at our church youth group. Though we’ve both changed a lot since this picture was taken, I’m grateful that my friendship with Jonathan hasn’t. I can’t wait to share this special day with him and Christine!
Bridesmaid
Christine is a nut. But I love her. Even though she nicknamed me "the pigeon" in Glasgow because I may have mooched off her for food a *couple* times. And also despite the fact that most of our conversations are deeply rooted in sarcastic quips and mutual roasting of the other. By the way, I totally won most of those fights. Just saying. Truthfully though, Christine has one of the most genuinely loving hearts I've ever met and I'll always be so grateful that a simple offer to let me room with her my sophomore year made way to a lifelong friendship as well as an opportunity to witness her friendship with Jonny blossom into a joyous engagement to spend the rest of their lives together!
Groomsman
Jonny and I have been on a lot of adventures together. We've climbed old towers in the woods and we've been on boat rides with legit crazy people. As we grew in friendship, I got to see Jonny's relationship with Christine blossom into a symbiotic beauty. I am so happy for them! The adventure continues!
Bridesmaid
I met Christine when we were 7 in kids' church together, but our friendship really blossomed when we were teenagers, spending our summers on a swim team. Our days were marked by the smell of chlorine, constantly getting sunburned, giggling about boys, and dreaming about our futures. She’s always been someone who pointed me towards the Lord and challenged me to consider the perspectives of others. Though we’ve lived in separate states for five years now, I’m so thankful for a friendship that’s not just rooted in proximity, but instead finds its basis in a history of overcoming challenges and a deep love for one another. I’m so grateful for the ways that the Lord continues to shape her, and I’m so thrilled to watch her take this next step on her journey!
Groomsman
Jonathan and I became friends early on in our Freshman year at CNU and lived with each other for three years, including a semester abroad in Glasgow, Scotland. My favorite memories with him were in that last month of being abroad, when we visited London for a weekend, made a music video in an abandoned subway station, played lawn bowling like a couple of old men, and made frequent late night runs to the Sainsbury’s across the street for fresh cookies. I have known Jonathan as someone who pursues his creative passions, always exudes positivity, and has a pure love for adventure that is both contagious and unmatched. Though life has taken us to different places - I’ve gone off to graduate school in Boston - it’s always a breath of fresh air catching up with Jonathan on the phone.
Bridesmaid
During my time at CNU, I held a lot of different titles - but by far one of my favorite honors was getting to be called Christine's roommate. For two years, Christine and I chose to lump our messes together (picture spiritual and social mess sprinkled with oh so many clothes), and it brought me absolute joy. From the sweet noise of all 30 alarms we set each morning, to falling asleep with the lights on and laptops out, it was a beautifully unique experience that I will never forget. Now, we are off on new adventures but I still could not imagine where I'd be without Christine's friendship. I am so excited to be a part of this incredibly special day; I have been inspired in many ways by watching Christine and Jonny grow together, and I can't wait to see their lives bloom from here on out.
Groomsman
So I met Jonny pretty soon after becoming a freshmen at CNU and since then we have been on many adventures, camping, wedding shoots and random afternoon sport pick up games. Jonny has been a loyal friend to me for many years and I am extremely excited to share this journey with him.
Bridesmaid
I’ve known Christine since I was very young. I can remember countless times running down to the barn to play with the goats while trying to avoid homework, deep conversations ranging from things we were both struggling with in life to wondering why different animals had different shaped pupils, and staying up late on the phone listening to Chris read one of her stories she had written. Christine has always been the friend that would try any ridiculous adventure with me just to see how it would go. Because of this we have definitely put ourselves in some risky (dumb) situations and I am thrilled we are both alive to celebrate her wedding day.
Groomsman
Christine and Jonathan have been a benevolent influence in my life since our first years at CNU. Even now, a year post-CNU, I get check ins and the meaningfulness of my relationship with them is reinforced. From the beginning Christine has had a very analytical mind. Paired with Jonathan’s go with the flow attitude, they complement each other quite well. They butt heads occasionally but their unique methods of resolving conflict are rather fun and have taught me that conflict resolution includes tickle fights sometimes! And that is something everyone should do to live a happier life. I can’t wait to see these two united and starting the next chapter of their lives together!
Bridesmaid
Hi, I’m Monica! I first met Christine and Jonathan at Christopher Newport University amongst all the fun-crazy-weirdness of Freshman Year. Over the course of four years, three living situations, monthly Cookout trips, and countless other adventures, Christine and Jonathan became some of my greatest friends. They are such an amazing and inspiring couple and I wish them all the luck in the world!
Groomsman
I love Jonny because he’s always down for a good time! He lives unconventionally and that’s why I think we get along well! There’s a number of important things you need to know about Jonny and I. We got our first tattoos together Sophemore year of college- body location discreet, I’ll leave it up to your imagination. One weekend, we found ourselves in paris and Jonny tried to stop me from street gambling. I lost $150 and Jonny our friend Brian were there to dream about all the things we could have done with $150! Our best times spend together were had inside 7-11. I can’t tell you how many hotdogs we crushed over the course of three years together! What separate Jonny from others is his upstanding character and willingness to serve others! Love you Jrog!
Bridesmaid
I met Christine freshman year of high school & soon after she became one of my best friends. One thing we bonded over soon after becoming friends is a passion for missions & helping end the horrific act of human trafficking. Through her love for adventure, she always pushes me to go beyond my comfort zone & enjoy life. One time she saw this sketchy trailer in a parking lot & thought there might be trafficking victims in it, so she thought it would be a good idea to knock on the door to check. Another friend & I had to convince her not to do it! She definitely keeps me on my toes! Throughout my friendship with Christine, she has been my teammate in fighting injustices, study buddy throughout high school (with that torturous Chemistry), & an incredible listener.
Groomsman
I met Jonathan before our Freshman year of college at CNU's PLP Leadership Adventure Program. Right off the bat it was obvious to me that he was a super fun person to be around and that his enthusiasm was contagious. We roomed together sophomore year and made many great memories throughout our four years of college. We always had time to play spikeball, throw frisbee, and brawl it out in Super Smash Bros. Sometimes we even found time to study and do our classwork 😃 I am super excited to be a part of Christine and Jonathan's special day! Cheers to the married life!