Luba & Gabriel
Wedding Party
Maria Yefremenko
Maid of Honor
My one and only sister!!! I still remember the day she was born, 2 days after my 4th birthday (Christmas). My mother told me she was my gift that year. Since then, we became best friends. We've had countless adventures together. Great memories of being roommates, and sharing our kitten, Teddy. Maria is the person I will always go to for advice, and can always count on for brutal honesty, for a reality check when I need one. She has an amazing sense of humor, and is uniquely creative and wonderful. I can't imagine anyone else to stand right by my side on this important day! She played a very important role in my relationship with Gabe. I remember her telling me that he really really liked me, and was a great guy, and not to mess it up or to hurt him. My sister means the world to me!
Benjamin Poland
Best Man
I met Ben back when I used to live in Colorado Springs in 2011. We were both sitting around a fire, as we began our internship at New Life. Little did I know, that this Missouri dude with medals and pulled up high socks would become my best friend. Even though we're separated by many miles, he can still read me like a book. Definitely a brother to me. We've been through everything together, and I can't imagine anyone else beside me on my wedding day.
Yuliya Moshkovskiy
Bridesmaid
Yuliya and I go way back. We met at church, and became closer in college. Sadly, she moved to New York City last summer, but fortunately that is my favorite city to visit. Yuliya has an amazing ambition to write, teach and entertain! She is the funniest person I know. She is straightforward and tells it just like it is. She played an important role in my relationship with Gabe. We all started out as a group of friends. When I went to NYC at the end of summer to visit her, she told me right to my face "I have a bone to pick with you." She told me that Gabe really likes me and I better get my stuff together and not play with his heart. She said that if I hurt him, she'll hurt me. I will forever cherish her bluntness, and ability to make me think. Her personality is like no other.
Noble Lindsey
Groomsman
During my years in Texas, The Lindsey family became more than just friends, they became a second family to me. Noble and I clicked from early on. Even though he's much younger than me, his maturity level is higher than mine at times. I've watched him grow up, and we've had some amazing adventures together. My time in Texas with him and the crew has shaped the man I've become. Separated by 1200 miles, he will always be my little brother and one of my best friends.
Maria Bondaruk
Bridesmaid
Maria is my beautiful cousin who lives in Erie, PA. She and I became close after her family moved from Batavia, NY to Iowa. She and her sister, Nadja would spend summers in NY and we would spend those weeks together. In the months apart, I remember writing letters and counting down the months for it to be summer again. These are definitely some of my sweetest childhood memories. Even though she's still far away, we can always pick right up where we left off. She is a lovely girl with a great sense of humor, and an amazing work ethic. She is and kind, and sweet, and has a sparkling personality. I am so honored for her to be a part of my wedding day. I can't imagine a more perfect trio to melt away any anxiety that comes with planning one of the most prominent days of my life!
LaQuan Hounshell
Groomsman
Q and I met last summer and hit it off immediately. He also played a huge role into the beginning stages of my pursuing Luba. As a matter of fact, if it wasn't for Quan putting me on the spot that first time we hang out with Luba and her girls, I might have still be in the friend zone. Quan called it like it was that very night... 4th of July 2016 "Love at First Sight." I have a lot of respect for this guy for never sugar coating a thing, and calling things as they are. He has been a true brother to me, and someone I can always lean on and keep it real with.