Esmeralda & Michael
Wedding Party
Camille Santos
Maid of Honor
When I met Camille in graduate school, we just clicked. In a short amount of time, she became one of my best friends. Camille is typically the first person that I call or think of when I have news, good or bad. I know that I can always count on her for help when I need it, to tell me what I need to hear even when I don't want to hear it, and to offer up a shoulder to cry on. I feel very blessed to have her in my life. Forever my partner in crime. And . . .Michael has been reminded that she and I are a packaged deal.
Bryan Medina
Best Man
I first met Bryan 23 years ago, after inviting him to read at a poetry reading series called Metamorfosis, hosted by me and another dear friend, Tim Z. Hernandez. Since then, our friendship has evolved from being “poetry homies” to true brothers. And like true brothers, we don’t always get along. I could never forgive his hatred for The Beatles, but he is a true Rolling Stones fan, and for that he gets a pass.
Cecilia Ballesteros
Bridesmaid
I met Cecilia when I was a school counseling intern at McLane High School and she was a social worker. We met again years later when we transitioned from high school counselors to middle school counselors. We initially leaned on each other for support as we ventured into new realm of school counseling that was both unfamiliar and undefined. In the process, we became friends. We've laughed together, cried together, and run a half-marathon together. I'm grateful that life made it possible for us to cross paths again.
Sam Abundis
Groomsman
My Primo! We’re the oldest cousins in the Medrano family, don’t hate! As kids, we spent the night at each other’s homes countless times—I was always envious of his collection of Star Wars toys. He had Yoda’s swamp at Dagoba, for Christ’s sake! One favorite memory I have is when his father, my Uncle Sam, promised to take us to see Hulk Hogan vs. King Kong Bundy, if we pulled weeds in the backyard. It took us forever, but we did it, and we got to see the world champ, live and in person!
Silvia Camarena
Bridesmaid
I have know Silvia since the 7th grade. I am not quite sure how we met. Most likely band (she was also a fellow band nerd.) But regardless of how our story started, she has been a major part of my life. We have been at each other's side to celebrate the joyful moments and to support each other during hard times. We've encouraged each other from afar. Celebrated each others successes. Exchanged uplifting words when life wasn't going the way we had hoped it would. I don't see Silvia as simply a friend. She is family. And her family is an extension of my own. I love them all very much and feel blessed to be a part of their lives.
Kenny Chacon
Groomsman
I can’t recall when I first met Kenny but I imagine it had to be around the time when I first started teaching at Fresno City College, eleven years ago. However, I had heard stories about Kenny’s amazing life through stories from his brother Dan, and other friends like Lee and Marisol. Since then, we have shared many a happy hour in the Tower District, shared stories about growing up in Fresno, and have provided wisdom and support for each other through work, writing, politics, and faith.
Ida Ybarra
Bridesmaid
Ida and I crossed paths as children. She lived across the street from grandmother. I always saw her playing outside when I visited my grandmother. I remember always wanting to talk to her and asking her if she wanted to play. But, I was always, too, shy. We became acquaintances in middle school (we were band nerds), but we officially didn't become close friends until high school when we realized we shared a lot of the same goals, interests, and beliefs. I found that Ida was one of the very few people growing up that I truly connected with. And it still stands true. We can go three months without talking and pick up exactly where we left off and talk for hours.
Marcos Dorado
Groomsman
I first met Marcos Dorado through Bryan, at the old Borders Bookstore in RiverPark. Our friendship grew over the years from those brief encounters at the bookstore, to attending Art Hop, having lunches, and just plain, hanging out. He might be the only person I know with an encyclopedic knowledge of classic rock. The other thing that rocks is his gift for drawing and photography. A true renaissance man, and tells decent jokes, to boot.