Morgan & Emmanuel
Wedding Party
Jessica Leas
Matron of Honor
Morgan and Jessica first met in 2005 during ballet classes at Studio of Dance and quickly became inseparable. They LITERALLY did everything together and talked on the phone for hours when they weren’t together. While they attended different colleges, Jessica still called Morgan every morning to make sure she was up for her classes. After growing up through their teen, college, and adult years together, it’s safe to say Jessica knows Morgan better than anyone, even herself. Morgan stood by Jessica’s side at her wedding and she is honored to return the favor. Jessica lives in The Woodlands, TX with her husband, David, and 2 year old, Olivia.
Amanda Martin
Bridesmaid
Amanda met Morgan in the fall of 2011 when they were both starting pharmacy school at the University of Houston. Their friendship blossomed during the pledging process for their pharmaceutical fraternity. They bonded quickly over their childlike humor, knack for quoting Mean Girls, and spontaneous quirks. Since then, they’ve trained and ran a half marathon together, survived many a nights out, and remained close friends through cross-country moves. Amanda lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, Jason, and three children, Henry, Eloise, and Coralie.
Katherine Sweitzer
Bridesmaid
Morgan and Katherine first met in 2011 when several of us Aggies were looking for roommates when moving to Houston for pharmacy school. They didn’t end up living together, but lived at the same apartment complex for a year and joined the same fraternity, leading to many late night parking garage talks, study sessions, and scream singing carpool rides to class. Morgan has taught Katherine spontaneity, generosity, and how to be a safe driver. Katherine lives in Houston with her husband, Brad, and 2 kids, Eleanor & Samuel.
Dhara Bhakta
Bridesmaid
Morgan and Dhara found out they were going to be pharmacy school classmates during their final meeting for a group project at Texas A&M University. Although they both barely showed up to this class (oops, sorry Mom and Dad) and had little interaction, they were excited to start this new chapter together as roommates! From late-night hangouts with The Weeknd and SoMo jam sessions, to early morning study sessions with Equinox coffee, 4 years flew by so fast. They’ve shared some of the fondest memories together, and have continued enjoying annual girls trips and visiting one another.
Natalia Uzal
Bridesmaid
Natalia met Morgan in 2016 during their second year of residency in Denver, CO. Morgan and Natalia started attending the Summit Church together while co-residents, and Morgan was able to be present during Natalia’s baptism in 2017. Besides being sisters in Christ, Natalia and Morgan have shared many more significant life events that continue to make their friendship more like family. Natalia lives in Eugene, Oregon with her fiancé, Louie, and their two pups, Thor and Chester. (Fun fact: both Emmanuel and Louie share the same birthday)
Brittany Smith
Bridesmaid
Morgan and Brittany met in 2007, their freshman year at Texas A&M. Morgan saved Brittany and her dog when they basically became stranded in Houston! They became close friends after that, seeing each other almost daily for runs, workouts, or just to enjoy a meal! Even though they are miles apart now, their friendship has remained strong! Morgan stood up with Brittany at her wedding, and Brittany is thrilled to get to do the same for her! Brittany lives in Frisco, Texas with her husband, Josh, and 2 fur babies.
Andrea Whitmore
Junior Bridesmaid
Andrea and Morgan were attached at the hip during their childhood and talked for hours on end. Being the younger cousin, Andrea learned a lot about navigating the world from Morgan. However, in reality, it was Andrea who taught Morgan the real beauty of the world and how to embrace the joy in life. Since graduating from Mary Grett School in May of 2019, Andrea lives and works in Corpus Christi, TX. On any given weekend, you can find her competing in the Special Olympics, playing with her pup, Sugar, or dancing Zumba.
Gabriela Whitmore
Junior Bridesmaid
Gabby and Morgan have always been close, so much that they even call each other their twin. Gabby has always looked up to Morgan and asked her for guidance through many life changing situations. Gabby and Morgan have shared many fun memories together such as sledding in Breckinridge, jamming out to Justin Bieber, and even seeing Shawn Mendes live in concert. Gabby is currently a junior at W.B. Ray High School in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Scott Stewart
Best Man
Scott, Emmanuel’s father, has been Emmanuel’s role model and mentor his entire life. Scott is the catalyst for any of Emmanuel’s many hobbies and interests. Scott retired from the Army in 2017 and now lives with his lovely wife, Alejandra, in McKinney, TX, where you can find him running and enjoying exquisite craft beers from around the country.
Manuel Leyva
Groomsman
Manuel, Emmanuel’s uncle, has been a major part of his life. Their relevance in age, allowed them to build a brother-like relationship. Emmanuel is the Godfather to Manuel’s daughter, Camila. In 2017, Emmanuel and Manuel ran an international 10k that consisted of running half the race on U.S. soil and crossing over the border to run the second half on Mexican soil. Manuel lives in Northern Colorado with his wife, Maria, and children, Camila and Alan.
Thomas Gillespie
Groomsman
Thomas and Emmanuel met as roommates at the University of Alabama. Their late night Taco Bell runs were only the start to a life long friendship. They continued their journey as roommates to Houston, TX. In 2017, Emmanuel and Thomas made a trip to Pamplona, Spain to participate in the Running of the Bulls. Today you can find Thomas running laps around Memorial Park and training to be a commercial pilot in Houston, TX.
Whitt Burcham
Groomsman
Emmanuel and Whitt met while “studying” at the University of Alabama. Their symbiotic sense of humor was the start of their life long friendship. Whitt once ran a half marathon without any training to accompany Emmanuel. Whitt served in the Army as a logistics officer and now lives in Atlanta, GA, where he can be found wood working in his garage or playing with his pups, Wiley and Nala.
Nathan Hicks
Groomsman
Emmanuel and Nathan met their freshman year at the University of Louisville where they started an intramural soccer team together. Their shared enthusiasm for soccer was the start of a life long friendship. In 2016, Nathan and Emmanuel ran the Chicago Marathon, which was the start to a very competitive friendship. Nate lives in Chicago and you can find him training for his next marathon on Chicago’s Lakefront Trail or scoring some goals in his local soccer league.
Nick Wilhelm
Groomsman
Nick and Emmanuel met at Fort Campbell High School where they played Soccer together. Growing up Army brats, they know very well the world is a small place. They stumbled across each other in Denver and can be found snowboarding together any given winter weekend. Nick enjoys being outdoors and taking his Jeep on Colorado’s scenic off-road trails.
Scott Rife
Groomsman
Scott and Emmanuel met at Fort Campbell High School. Their spontaneous appetite for adventure has continued through many years and onto a life long friendship. Scott lives in Alabama where he can be found studying history or on the lake, planning the annual Stewart-Rife Camping Trip.
Olivia Leas
Flower Girl
Olivia became Morgan’s Goddaughter in December 2018, when her parents (Jessica and David) welcomed her into the world. Olivia lives at home in The Woodlands, TX. When she’s not playing with her stuffed animals, you can find her perfecting her “duck” face and “pretty eyes”.
Camila Leyva
Flower Girl
Emmanuel’s goddaughter lives in northern Colorado. She enjoys ice skating, singing, and painting.
Bandita
Flower Girl
Bandita was introduced to Morgan in 2017 through Paws on the Ground Colorado. It didn’t take long to realize that Bandita is an exact replica of Morgan: talkative, playful, and confident. When she isn’t sunbathing on the porch or begging for treats, you can find her trying to tag along and play with her older brother Santiago.
Romann Rupert
Ring Bearer
Emmanuel’s nephew lives in Arizona where he loves to play video games and look after his younger sister, Hazel.
Santiago
Ring Bearer
Santiago and Emmanuel found each other in 2015 and have been inseparable ever since. It didn’t take long to realize that Santi is an exact replica of Emmanuel: calm, kind, and athletic. When he isn’t out running with his pops, you can find him watching over his little sister Bandita.