Wedding Party
Emma Lopez-Cepero
Maid of Honor
My sister and built-in best friend. We’re drastically different but also wildly the same and I wouldn’t have it any other way. My favorite memories include long drives listening to our Disney Channel throwback playlists, American girl doll fashion shows that often ended in tears, and feisty dance battles in our pepto-bismol pink bedroom. (Btw, LJ is likely going to try to gaslight us into a dance battle at our wedding.) Thank you for always letting me crawl into bed with you because I was scared of the dark.
Lorenzo Hardy
Best Man
Lorenzo wasn’t the first answer to a prayer I know Jehovah gave me, but he was the first I can remember. He was exactly what I needed growing up. Just a friend. Someone I could count on. Someone I could talk about TV shows and play on the Game Cube with. Someone who would play 5-second NBA countdown with me outside (always thrilling finishes). I’ve called him my best friend for almost 20 years, and glad now that I can call him my Best Man. P.S. Thanks for saving my life that day in the swimming pool when I was jealous you could swim in 10-feet and I was in the shallow end.
Paityn McEachin
Bridesmaid
Sister of the groom. Initially described to me as LJ 2.0. My first experience with her was $6 margs at Chili’s followed by an at-home karaoke night rapping to Kendrick in a borrowed hoodie. Paityn is truly a whole vibe. Paityn brings such a fun, effortless energy wherever she goes, and you can’t help but feel it when you’re around her. I’m grateful to be gaining a pretty cool sister-in-law.
Johnny Lovett
Honorary Groomsman
"For the six!" December 4, 2020 — a masked brother walked out of a Fishkill residence building to help carry my bags and told me he'd be my roommate. His name was Johnny. Johnny Appleseed? I didn't know what to make of it all then...going to Bethel was a blur. I soon found he was meant to be more than just a roommate. He became family. I hate that he can't share this special day in person, but extremely excited for the start of his journey in married life. Congratulations, bro.
Abigail Medeiros
Bridesmaid
My best friend for as long as I can remember. Somehow, our lives kept crossing in the most unexpected ways—her family moved into the house we were selling when we moved to NJ, and when we moved back to FL, we ended up living right around the corner from each other. It’s like we were destined to be best friends. We’ve conquered mountains together, both figuratively and literally. One of the biggest constants in my life.
Siahya Graves
Groomsman
"Brother Siahya...is that you boy??" Siahya has always been a stabilizer for me. He was someone I didn't know I needed and never thought to ask for, but now couldn't imagine doing life without. I'll always appreciate how much he believed in me and how faithfully he showed up through my wins and my losses. His support of my theocratic progress was incredible. There has never been a time Siahya hasn't put a smile on my face.
Leanne Deskins
Bridesmaid
It’s funny because way back in the day, we really didn’t like each other all that much. Fast forward a few years and there’s no one else I could have imagined being my roommate of 2 years when we moved to New York. Truly, what haven’t we been through together? Leanne somehow always manages to make me laugh harder than anyone else, no matter what life may be throwing at us. Life with her has been anything but boring, and I’m so grateful she’s standing by my side.
Ethan JnBaptiste
Groomsman
There are brothers, and then there's Ethan. He never expected me to change. Some days, it was almost like he was waiting to find someone like me…borderline childish personality and all. I could be myself in a different way around Ethan, and as the picture shows, he'd be right there with me. The adventures we went on, even if they didn’t take us much farther than Bikini Bottom, were unforgettable, same as the impact Ethan made on my life.
Kimberly James
Bridesmaid
My cousin—technically my mom’s cousin—but that’s never how it’s felt. Over the years it hasn’t felt like there was an age gap between us; just a really special closeness. Kim has had such a huge influence on my life, especially in living my best life in Jehovah’s service. I’ve always looked up to her, and I’m so thankful to have her with me on this day.
Frankie Lampkin
Groomsman
Frankie was truly my person at Bethel…my go to. But on day one, he was just another new Bethelite in a quarantine room down the hall. I wonder if Johnny Appleseed got his bags too. Late nights, New Jersey Chick-fil-A runs, conversations only he could take without judgment. He always took my side. He always valued my thoughts and knew how to draw them out, helping me think through stuff I couldn't navigate on my own. He always rooted for me, no matter where our paths led. I'm so proud of who he is, and I hope he knows how much it meant to always have him in my corner.