Heather & David
Wedding Party
Dan Wright
Best Man
Of all the people I've met, there are few I've known longer than Dan, and even fewer that have affected my life more for the better. In middle and high school Dan and I took small-group math classes with the inestimable Mr. Derek, and were both part of a science and outdoors club for much of that time. However, we were only friendly acquaintances until the summer after our freshman year of college, when we reconnected through a mutual friend. Since then he's been my constant companion through the highs and lows of my life, offering kindness, conversation, and encouragement to me and all others around him. Full of humor and insight, "Dan the Man", seen here nobly astride a sod cottage in Iceland, is the choice for Best Man that would be obvious to anyone that professes to know me.
Jared Schuette
Man of Honor
Jared stands out as being one of the kindest, most hardworking, considerate and understanding individuals I have had the privilege to call a friend. We have known each other ever since Jared joined our neighborhood swim team, the Glens Dolphins. Since Jared and I are both breaststrokers, we spent every summer pushing each other and competing to see who had the furthest pull-out. Jared and I worked at Houston Scuba Academy together, where we bonded over wetsuits, freezing water, and screaming children. This last summer, we had a ball coaching the same swim team we grew up with, and I don’t remember the last time our team performed so well. We only lost to one team in our division! Now Jared is attending the University of Houston and pursuing a degree in Digital Media.
Eric Schnur
Honorary Groomsman
Eric was my freshman roommate at Grove City College in Pennsylvania. Though he wasn't immediately a fan of the neurotic, immature half-Japanese nerd who shared his dorm, time (and some much needed socialization) helped us to build a friendship that has stood the test of both time (15 years) and distance (1300 miles). With a modest introversion that belies his keen intellect, Eric has been steadily building a life for him and his family outside of Pittsburgh as a nurse administrator. Alongside wife Kelley and daughter MacKenzie, the Schnur homestead has become a cherished second home for me. Either keeping it chill with endless games of Smash Brothers or going all out with backpacking escapades across the wilderness, Eric's the serendipitous friend I'm always grateful I made.
Margaret Sinclair
Bridesmaid
I met Margaret through David, which is unsurprising since they’re siblings, and we immediately hit it off. The first time we truly met and had time to hang out, we were just talking with David in his apartment. David kicked us out at midnight, but Margaret and I ended up continuing our conversation in her car in the parking lot for another 4-5 hours! Margaret is always very understanding and supportive, and might possibly be the greatest thing I’ve gained from joining the Sinclair family (after David, of course). Margaret is a constant source of love and laughter, and I am thrilled to not only have her at my side on my wedding day but to also be able to call her a sister (in-law)!
Nicole Ponce
Groomswoman
Nicole/Nicky was a quietly disgruntled server at TGI Friday's when I first met her over a decade ago, and we didn't become friends right away. Amidst the drudgery and constant socializing of the restaurant crowd, however, I found in her a like-minded friend who liked to talk, think, and make fun of the same things as I did. We were both psychology majors too, though unlike me she actually uses her degree as a licensed professional counselor. Perhaps the most grounded, centered person in my life, New Mama Nicky reminds me through both words and deeds to take care of myself, practice healthy living, and treat everyone with empathy. Sometimes I even follow her example!
Meagan Whitehouse
Honorary Bridesmaid
Meagan is my Godsister and someone I’ve known since before I was born. She is like the sister I’ve never had! I have countless memories of spending holidays with her and her family – Thanksgivings where I was dared to eat raw onions to win a Pumpkin Pie, Halloweens spent getting dressed up at her house, and hunting for Easter eggs full of change in her living room. Although I don’t get to see Meagan nearly as much as I used to since she moved out of town for school, I did get to see her at her wedding in March of 2018, where I caught the bouquet! And less than a year later, David proposed! Coincidence? I’m am also excited to meet the newest Whitehouse, who will be just a couple months away from meeting everyone while at our wedding!
Kilian Holt
Groomsman
I met Kilian at TGI Friday's soon after Nicky, though he is very much the yang to her yin. We initially bonded through the restaurant party scene, but after I moved on from that, I continued hanging out with Kilian and gallivanting around our fair city of Houston. We share a love of museums, hikes, gaming, traveling, and especially concerts (the number of which I don't dare to guess). This has given us endless opportunities for bro-time since the olden days of heading to his mom's place after a long night of serving food. Kilian's affinity for computers and live music has developed into an exciting career as a touring audio-video wizard, so I don't see him as often as I used to. Even so, when there's adventure afoot, there's always a stalwart lad to be had with Sir Holt.
Angelique Longobardi
Bridesmaid
I met Angelique in May of 2009, when I first joined my neighborhood swim team, the Glens Dolphins (the same team Jared would join a few years later). Angelique and I would push each other at practice, compete together, and stay up way too late having sleepovers the night before big competitions. We may live in different states for a majority of the year now, since Angelique received an amazing swim scholarship at Hendrix College in Arkansas, where she is pursuing a degree in Spanish, but no matter how much time passes between visits, nothing changes. It always feels like I had just seen her the day before. I am excited to have Angelique standing by my side on my wedding day, and to have her whole family supporting me.
Mr. Nat King Cole
Ring Bearer
I found Cole running around my parents neighborhood when I was in 6th Grade and he was just 2 months old. We soon found out that he had Distemper - a neurological disease that many adult dogs and almost no puppies survive. Together, my mom and I nursed Cole back to health with almost no side effects. Ever since then, Cole has been my boy, and he really is the sweetest. Cole loves to go on walks and explore new places (although this has been put on hold due to the Texas heat). I have always wanted Cole to be a part of my wedding, and now I get the chance!
Hannah Koch
Flower Girl
Like Jared and Angelique, I met Hannah through my neighborhood swim team, the Glens Dolphins. Although Hannah lives in Louisiana during the school year, we see one another every other day during the summer and whenever Hannah makes it back to Houston. Hannah is one of the strongest, most caring people I've met - she puts family and friends first, and she is always there for the people that need her. I can wholeheartedly say that I am better for know Hannah, and I am so excited to have her not only be able to come to our wedding, but to do David and I the honor of being our Flower Girl!
Ben Mccuiston-Zirkle
Officiant
Ben joined Hastings High School when I was still a fairly new teacher, and we worked together in the English department for several years. Even after I moved on to library world and he took the dark path that leads to administration, we maintained our friendship both IRL and virtually through a shared love of video games and pop culture. With an apparently endless source of horrible puns and an inexplicable habit of being positive and gung-ho about most aspects of life, he's been a faithful friend. Whether he's the life of the party at riotous social nights or the dependable comrade saving my backside in From Software games, he's always got my back. A loving husband and dedicated assistant principal, the always personable and articulate Ben will also be officiating our wedding.