Wedding Party
Ciara Mueller
Matron of Honor
Malia and I met during one of the first social events during orientation week at medical school. We met at the Up-Down Arcade Bar in Kansas City, which is ironic because neither of us would consider ourselves "drinkers". During our orientation lectures, I quickly realized she would be my confidant as we tried to survive the modern medical education system together. While she always says she's "not in the business of convincing people", she did change my mind on a number of topics from religion & politics to health & wellness. To her dismay, however, living in Nebraska forever wasn't one she could change my mind on - although I like to joke if she hadn't abandoned me for DC the past year, the outcome may have been different - but probably not. I never would've guessed that the trauma bond of medical school would lead me to my daughter's godmother and one of my lifelong best friends. Unfortunately, I didn’t know Malia yet when I chose my own wedding party (which she jokingly holds against me) but I’m so excited to stand by her side now as her Matron of Honor this September.
Andrew Haile
Best Man
Adrianna Magistro
Bridesmaid
My friendship with Malia began the way all great friendships do: through God’s providence… and pizza. In 2022, Malia was managing a campaign for three local school board candidates. Although I didn’t know any of the candidates (or their campaign manager) I reached out with an email offering my family’s pizzeria as a venue for campaign events. At the time, it was becoming increasingly difficult for conservative candidates to find venues willing to host them in the face of coordinated harassment campaigns by the Tolerant Left, and I wanted them to know they had a welcoming place available if they needed it. Imagine my delight when I received a response from someone named Malia Shirley, who enthusiastically accepted the invitation with her characteristic warmth, charm, and energy. We met in person shortly thereafter, and the rest, as they say, is history. What began as a simple email quickly grew into a treasured friendship, strengthened by the trauma bond of shared experiences, and I am so grateful that one small act of reaching out brought Malia into my life.
Jonathan Haile
Groomsman
Sydney Starkweather
Bridesmaid
I’ve known Malia since she was basically in utero (so I'm definitely her longest friend!) - our dads are brothers, which makes us first cousins. Despite that, people rarely believed we were related, especially as kids, since we couldn’t have looked more different. Malia got her mom’s beautiful dark Hawaiian and Italian features, while I really capitalized off the German blonde hair and blue eyes. Growing up just 18 months apart meant we were inseparable from the start, but without the typical sisterly drama (we left that to our actual sisters). From sleepovers at our grandparents’ house and performing fully choreographed routines at family events, to playing mermaids in her parent's pool during the summer, One Direction concerts, and Disneyland trips — we’ve truly done it all together. Now, through marriages, kids, and even convincing our husbands to become friends (which is why you’ll see mine standing next to Grant!), we’ve stayed just as close. I’m so grateful for our lifelong bond and can’t wait to celebrate Malia and Grant with all of you this September!
Colton Starkweather
Groomsman
I first met Grant at a Shirley Christmas gathering. I was there with Sydney, and he was there with Malia. At the start, it was just the usual small talk, and that was about it. As Sydney and Malia’s relationship evolved over the years, Grant and I found our own common ground. Nebraska football, a good steak, and wine were the baseline, but as time went on, the conversations shifted. We started talking about deeper topics — faith, prayer, the military, and the challenges that come with the blessings in life. We weren't just the guys tagging along with the girls anymore; we became friends in our own right. After I finished active duty and our family moved back to Nebraska, our friendship grew deeper. Going through the highs and lows alongside Grant and Malia has only made that bond stronger, and they’ve become some of our closest friends. I’m honored and grateful for just how much of this wedding celebration I get to be a part of.
Ashley Mayer
Bridesmaid
Malia and I met sometime in 2017 through Turning Point USA. Malia was the TPUSA chapter president at Creighton and I was the TPUSA chapter president at CU Boulder. While TPUSA was much smaller at that point in time, we were the top two most active chapters in the country. Malia, to no one’s surprise, held the number one spot. I came in a (not so close) second. Malia and I instantly formed a close friendship as we both have zero tolerance for BS and are both spitfires when it comes to our opinions. (Ok… maybe we also bonded over a coup we staged but that’s a story for another time). Although I’m in Colorado and she’s either in Nebraska, Kansas City, D.C. or wherever else she’s traveling to on any given weekend, we’ve been able to spend time together in various parts of the country. Whether over texts, phone calls, instagram or twitter DMs, and a few podcast episodes, we pretty much speak to each other daily—even if most of the time she’s trying to convince me to travel to said place she’s at or traveling to. Above all else, Malia is a wonderful friend and the kind of person I always want in my circle. She’s a go getter, grounded, and always honest. I value her opinion in every aspect of life, and she is never shy about giving it, which is one of the many reasons I love her so dearly. I am so honored to stand by her side on her wedding day and cannot wait to celebrate her and Grant as they begin this beautiful chapter together.
Connor Weibelhaus
Groomsman
Kaitlyn Mullen
Bridesmaid
Mason Shirley
Groomsman
Charlotte Perez
Bridesmaid
Malia and I met when I was advancing Charlie’s mission of making the RNC more conservative. Malia was instrumental in helping with all things Nebraska and we became close friends through that. So close, that we have lived together in Washington, D.C. for the past year during her time at the US Department of Health and Human Services & my time at the Department of Justice. Our passion for President Trump, great food, and karaoke introduced incredible times in DC where we’ve made unforgettable memories and friends. While I will miss Fitz’s meowing meltdown when it’s three seconds past his dinner time or Jag’s never ending ability to be in the way, I’ve loved getting to know her and G-money over these last few years and I’m honored to be a part of their wedding this September! It’s been amazing watching them grow together and I wish them a joyous marriage full of love, happiness and sourdough. ALL HAILE 🩵
Grant Shirley
Groomsman
It was a normal day. Peaceful. Predictable. The name Grant was safely contained—one per household, as God clearly intended. Then my sister shows up and casually drops the most unhinged plot twist of all time - “Hey, I’m seeing someone.” Cool. Fine. Love that for you. “What’s his name?” “…Grant.” I'm sorry, no it’s not. Not Mike. Not Jake. Not literally anything else from the 99% of available names. No, she went straight into the restricted family inventory and picked mine. Bold move. I thought it was a joke, short for something maybe, like Grantley or Granston. Nope. Just Grant. Same spelling. Same identity crisis loading. Now we’re in a two-Grant system of a low-budget multiverse. Nicknames started immediately. And without consent. I became “Brown Grant”, like a rejected Crayola. Meanwhile, he gets to be “White Grant,” the premium edition. I’m not even a person now. I’m a shade. Family gatherings? Chaos. “Hey Grant—” WHICH ONE. WHICH GRANT. THIS IS NOT FUNCTIONAL. We both turn. “Grant, grab that?” Two Grants move. “No, the other Grant.” Now we’re both offended. Introductions are worse. “This is my brother Grant & my fiancé Grant.” At that point people just assume my sister ran out of ideas and hit copy/paste. The worst part? He’s great. I really tried to dislike him, out of principle. But he’s respectful, easygoing, & now I can’t even justify being mad. All I have left is that I was here first. All jokes aside, he’s a great guy & I’m glad he’s joining the family.
Evelyn Starkweather
Flower Girl
Q: How do you know La? A: cuz she's mommy's cousin Q: How do you know Grant? A: because he always sees us
Luka Shirley
Ring Bearer
Q: How do you know Auntie Mia? A: ------ Q: How do you know Uncle Grant? A: ------ He's a man of few words, and lots of screams
Annie Starkweather
Flower Girl
Q: How do you know La? A: cuz she's our aunt Q: How do you know Grant? A: uhhhh cuz I met him
Brewer Haile
Ring Bearer
Q: How do you know Malia? A: because I've met her Q: How do you know Uncle Grant? A: because I've seen him a lot and I love him
Julia Starkweather
Flower Girl
Q: How do you know La? A: I don't know! La is my aunt Q: How do you know Grant? A: I don't know. He is my big sister or daddy's brother?
Benjamin Starkweather
Ring Bearer
Q: How do you know La? A: *smiles, looks cute* Q: How do you know Grant? A: *stares, still looks cute*
Eleanor Seidel
Flower Girl
Q: How do you know Malia? A: from going over to her house! Q: How do you know Grant? A: uhhh her husband!
Maverick Shirley
Ring Bearer
Q: How do you know Auntie Mia? A: because I love her and I want her to come back so she can cuddle on the couch with me at grandma's Q: How do you know Uncle Grant? A: because I know