Wedding Party
Sophia French
Matron of Honor
Sophia and Theresa first met in 2006 at summer camp. Unprovoked, they stole a 22 year old’s loofa from the bathroom and hung it on the nose of an F-16, which is when they both realized they’d found someone as odd yet badass as themselves. Sophia, always the sounding board, has been known to find Theresa phoneless and walletless before epic adventures. Also an ardent Biden supporter, she is best known for her yodeling and Celtic dancing. Feel free to ask for a show at the wedding and take note of her husband Cory who will be playing the guitar for Theresa and Adam’s first dance!
Brent Lake
Best Man
Brent, an ardent gun control advocate, and Adam met at a couples yoga retreat and hit it off after a marathon steam room session. The pair has an uncanny ability to entertain themselves with no regard for others disapproval. In the wild, they can be found, beer in hand, skulking around the roof of a building or making fun of John. All in all, Brent and his ability to deadlift 600 lbs, has helped Adam navigate the twists and turns of life, and although he is a month older than Adam, he still brings a youthfulness to life that is unparalleled.
Rachel Nafis
Bridesmaid
Rachel entered the Nafis family many years ago, when she became the only woman I know to say yes to a man covered in fake blood on a gurney in an emergency room. An ardent flower grower and farmer, she’s the one to talk to when it comes to all things green and organic. You can find her chasing around three blonde haired, blue eyed little rascals, and if you request polka music you might just see her on the dance floor.
Jeannette Lazzaro
Bridesmaid
The woman. The myth. The legend. Jeannette Lazzaro. She once rode a feral pony across the plains of Mongolia. A horse kicked her in the chest and she liked it. When you go for a beer, she’s going for a flight. Maybe two. When Theresa and Jeannette get together, look out, it’s about to be one loud, adventurous encounter. If you see a woman walking around in mismatching leggings and shirts, mostly making left hand turns, say hello, it’ll be a meeting you’ll never forget.
Ali Wanis
Bridesmaid
Ali and Theresa met in the East, and bonded over avoiding all of the annoying men in the Base Officers Quarters where they lived. They spent two years wandering the land in search of the best sushi go rounds and snow, Ali breaking hearts left and right with her quick wit and high standards. From their slap cup playing days in the Iwakuni Officer’s Club to today, Ali is one of those friends you know you can call. A natural sleuth, she’ll research any person you find suspicious and inform of you the latest true crime drama. Although she hasn’t done it in a while, ask her to sing karaoke, she’ll blow ya away.
Kelsey Casey
Bridesmaid
Kelsey Casey was hovering before hovering was cool. A fellow desert liver, Yuma didn’t change her, she changed Yuma. You can most likely find her at the hotel gym. At every hotel gym. She’s a hotel gym connoisseur. Although we are slightly wary that she might also break out into yodel at the wedding, be sure to compliment her after she sings the first dance song or your next FEDEX package delivered from China might just get thrown into the gulf of Alaska.
Deleigh Hermes
Bridesmaid
Known for her Texas charm and amazing photography, Deleigh wanders the world in search of the next immersive adventure. She finds great pleasure in taking photos of people hucking themselves off objects in cool places, which is how she met Theresa, in the magical land of Moab. Instant friends, the two have been known blow large objects up with tannerite, drive gators around in gowns, and party until the sun comes up. You can usually find her behind a large lens, yodeling with Sophia or on the dance floor. Just be careful though, you might end up in a photo featured in National Geographic.
Kristen Patty
Bridesmaid
Kristen and Theresa almost ran away to Mexico to start a plastic surgery business when AP Calculus was becoming too stressful. Thankfully they were only in high school and had neither the money nor the life experience to actually pull that off. Very detail oriented, Kristen’s event planning and communication skills are the direct reason Theresa makes it to any high school group get togethers at the right place and almost the right time. If you’re looking for a rouse, I recommend finding her and Adam and mentioning how civil engineers work harder and are smarter than mechanical engineers, as is common knowledge. May the best engineer win.
Chris Nafis
Officiant
Chris, Theresa’s oldest brother, once covered himself in fake blood, laid on a gurney, and got rushed into the ER where his girlfriend was a nurse. He surprised her with a ring while she was doing her initial trauma assessment. Thankfully she still said yes and now they have three beautiful children. He is a Nazarene pastor and runs a church in downtown San Diego dedicated to helping the homeless. We are honored he said “sure” to marrying us and look forward to his blessing on our marriage.
Grant Sharpless
Groomsman
Grant and Adam have been known to bicker. Adam's unrelenting torment paired with Grant's sensitivity set the stage for some incredible arguments. Grant has come through as the voice of reason in Adam's 20's, specifically prior to Adam's motorcycle accident when Grant said "Adam this is a bad idea" to which Adam replied "Check the stats Grant" while bumping the rev limiter and taking off into the night. Grant has been nothing but a steadfast friend to Adam and if the dynamite that they set off in Grant's backyard is any indication, the friendship will continue to be explosive.
John Paul Onorato
Groomsman
"Do you want to do something stupid with me?" was the question that sparked JP and Adam's fire friendship. Adam and JP can always be found scheming ways to make themselves laugh and care little about other people's impressions of them when they are goofing around in public. From Adam kayaking into the surf to support JP with PBR while he waits for a wave to running on a treadmill together, JP has been a much loved addition to Adam's life.
Doug Coughlin
Groomsman
Doug showed up to the skydiving center in a business suit asking college student Adam if he had any clothes he could borrow to skydive in. It was love at first flight. Over the years, Doug and Adam successfully avoided killing each other during jumps gone awry and forged a friendship that has blossomed through adversity and alcohol. They both have been known to incite confrontation with the random passerby and have somehow never been arrested. They are truly a match made in miscreant Heaven and a life event like this wedding wouldn't be complete without Douglas.
Afif Ghannoum
Groomsman
Afif, the oldest of the Ghannoum Clan, has been nothing short of a fantastic role model for Adam. From teaming up with Adam to make fun of their sister Emma's Michael Jacksonesque makeup to helping Adam navigate legal challenges, Afif has provided a solid platform for Adam to grow from. He is hilarious, intelligent and a fantastic brother, father and husband.
Brett Ferek
Groomsman
Brett Ferek has been a staple in the Ghannoum household since Adam's sister Emma was in high school. After returning from a Marine deployment during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Brett officially joined the family when he proposed to Emma. Adam and Brett have spent many days wandering around the woods, fixing cars, getting vehicles stuck in the mud and remodeling houses. Brett's approval of another Marine joining the Ghannoum family was tantamount to the success of Adam and Theresa's marriage and has allowed Adam and Emma to get a break from the Marines during family get togethers while they tell stories about their "pizza boxes" and how great the exchange on Camp Pendelton is.
Marcus Ellison
Groomsman
Mr. Ellison...if there was a better example of a good ole West Virginian, it's either Chris Egress or Brad Paisley. Marcus and Adam spent countless hours climbing around the underside of the New River Gorge Bridge, free soloing climbs in Yosemite, helping Adam out of 100 foot hickory trees and providing each other with support and quick wit. Marcus and Adam have forged a brotherly connection that has shown its ability to overcome obstacles and press through stressful situations. Although Marcus refers lovingly to Adam as a FIFO, it's clear he was swept off his feet by Adam's charisma and charm. Is there anybody out there? Yes, likely Marcus and Adam in the woods in the middle of winter hunting for some altitude.
Josie
Ring Bearer
Josie occupies her days with long snoozes, treats and rolling in dead fish whenever the opportunity arises. She has the prestigious role of ring bearer, and we are confident she will overcome her shyness on this big day. Theresa rescued Josie in 2019 from a shelter in Encinitas when she was just a 5 month old pup. She’s been on adventures galore and immediately fell in love with Adam (even before Theresa!) when he walked into the room and said “You wanna go on a walk?! You want a treat?! Come on let’s go outside!” The three of us are inseparable, and we couldn’t imagine our big day without her. A complete sweetheart but super shy, give her time and she’ll warm up to you if you give her some space.