Jake & Jackie
Wedding Party
Alyssa Lerner
Matron of Honor
"Jackie has been one of my best friends since college - we met in softball and eventually she became my partner in crime, tormenting our coaches like young girls do. She's been there through thick & thin, giving advice & hard truths I needed to hear and the encouragement along the way. She is my sister in every sense of the word and I am so happy her and Jake are tying the knot. I am so grateful I get to be a part of their day!"
William Butler
Best Man
"It was an early June morning in 2007; I arrived at Wakefield High School for my first football summer workout. The workout started at 6 am; I showed up, walked into a new gym, and didn’t know anyone. So, I looked around, trying to find a friendly face. Before I knew it, another tall, handsome young athlete who seemed outgoing was mixing it up with some fellas. So, I decided to make the leap of faith and approach this stunning young athlete. Jake and I were two young testosterone-filled athletes looking to make a name for themselves on the gridiron. I wasn’t sure if it would be a contentious meeting because we were both steely-eyed killers. As soon as I was walking his way, we locked eyes. He started walking towards me, and I was prepared to defend myself from this brute of a man. But, before I knew it, he grabbed me by the face, looked deep into my eyes, and said, “OH MY GOD, YOU HAVE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL EYES I HAVE EVER SEEN.” At that moment, I knew Jake was meant to be my best friend. Our personalities clicked immediately, and we both went on to throw up during our first summer football workout. And it’s been love ever since we were keeled over the storm drain throwing up our breakfast together."
Kylie Schumacher
Bridesmaid
"Playing softball and living with Jackie in college was one of the greatest times of my life. Becoming best friends was inevitable by how much fun we had together. She was always her true self and made every moment one to remember. She was usually the one to hit me back to home plate; always having my back, despite the many collisions we had in the short field (LOL). I can't wait to watch her marry the man of her dreams and stand by her side."
Dillon Burdette
Groomsman
"I met Jake in 2011 at NC State from playing football together in college. From there, our relationship blossomed into roommates, common interests, and a competitors passion to be better in what we pursue. Ever since then, we have been very close friends and have an inseparable bond for life."
Meredith Lenox
Bridesmaid
"I had initially gotten to know our lovely bride in brief spurts over the years, whilst visiting my brother. The first time we were able to spend more than an afternoon or evening together, was during a weekend at Virginia Beach. It was at this time I learned Jackie had an intense aversion to sunscreen. She adamantly refused to apply even a thin layer of SPF 15. She feared nothing, not even a giant fire ball in the sky glaring down upon us. She turned a shade of red I had never seen before. It was amazing. I believe her sunscreen aversion existed partly because she had tremendous courage and partly because she did not want to impede her ability to change colors. It was then I knew she was a woman of strength and unlimited talent, core qualities of a Lenox. I am thrilled to have such a gem joining our ranks."
Jason Lee
Groomsman
“On a hot summer day I moved to NC & had no friends at Wakefield. I ate my lunch in the bathroom that 1rst day of school. The 2nd day a girl introduced me to Jake after Spanish class & since then he has been closer than a brother to me. I remember everything we did in HS/College but I really remember freshman year when we had a contest to see who could get the most hugs before 1st period. Then the first AAU tournament we played in together we lost a game by 50, Jake cried & from that moment I realized I would never let him take that on by himself. So I played AAU with him & gained a lil bro my boy Nick, & gained an older brother in Bryan. If you look at my life now, without Jake it would’ve been terrible. Jake got me to stop smoking cigarettes, he was my best friend before the black people accepted me. Jake was there for me when everybody left me freshman year, the most alone I have ever felt. Jake would pick me up, bring me to state, play ball/hang with me, take me home & never asked for any gas money. Jake is one of the biggest influences in my life & I am so happy & grateful to have a brother like him with me. He also tried to hide that he was feeling Jackie, but I know Jake and knew the whole time. Jackie, you can’t hide the way you look at the person you want. I watch Jake curb his anger; I watch Jake have convos and breakthroughs with her that he has never had with any other female. Jake has truly made changes for the girl he loves & it’s beautiful. I love you brodie!!”
Madison Lenox
Bridesmaid
"Jackie is probably one of the nicest people I have met, which you have to be in order to spend the rest of your life with Jake. I am still convinced she is only marrying him to be my sister :) "
Michael Diesch
Groomsman
"One of the first times I met Jake, was when I asked him and my sister to help me move into a third story apartment building in the middle of summer; with no elevator. I told him I would give him beer and pizza if he would help me out. He was a good sport, brought a friend and did a lot of heavy lifting. But come to think of it, I still think I owe him that beer and pizza."
Emily Sapp
Bridesmaid
"I first met Jake & Jackie when I worked with them at CED in Durham in 2016. In the first week there, I asked Jackie if something was going on between them because of all the cute flirting going on. She said "no" but I could see the flame sparking. You could say I predicted the future! So happy to witness the love story begin and grow over the years."
Nick Lenox
Groomsman
"The story of how Jake and I met is such a long one that I'm going to cut it short for you: I was born. He was already there. Sparks flew and from that moment on, we were inseparable. Oh, you mean about how Jake and Jackie met? That makes more sense. That's almost as long of a story, but it all started with their secret office romance at the CED site in Durham. Often referred to as the Jim and Pam of CED, their love grew over electrical hardware rather than paper supplies. In the following years, they were forced into different jobs and locations, but still William and Jacqueline's love held strong. While it still remains to be seen if they’ll reunite in the workplace, they’ll be bonded forever in life’s biggest commitment: a mortgage."
Elizabeth Redfern
Bridesmaid
"I met Jackie when Jake starting bringing her to family get togethers, either our sister's college basketball game, birthday parties or Sunday evenings at the pool. I have to admit our entire family together can be overwhelming but Jackie was a natural fit from the beginning. We are so excited for Jackie to officially join the family in February!"
Bryan Nieman
Groomsman
"One of my favorite memories of Jake takes place on my wedding day. During the wedding reception, we performed the age-old wedding garter tradition where the groom removes the garter from the bride’s leg and tosses it into the crowd of unmarried guys. Being the athlete that he is, Jake outmatched his competitors and caught the garter. Less practiced is the tradition where whoever catches the garter then places it on the leg of the woman that caught the bouquet. The higher he places it, the more luck for the newlyweds. Jake graciously took a knee in front of the seated lucky lady. He was then blindfolded and surprisingly told that he couldn’t use his hands. Without his knowledge, I switched places with the bouquet catcher and proceeded to remove my sock and shoe and rolled up my pant leg in preparation for Jake to now put the garter on my leg. In front of a room full of people, with his hands behind his back and still under the impression a woman was sitting in front of him, Jake pulled the garter up my leg using only his teeth. With the crowd cheering him on, Jake managed to get the garter well above my knee before the blindfold was removed. We both broke out into an uncontrollable laugh and gave each other a huge hug. If you’re friends with my wife on Facebook, you can find the pictures capturing these magical moments there. You’re welcome."
Julie Diesch
Bridesmaid
"I couldn’t ask for a better sister-in-law! I met Jackie 8 years ago on Halloween when I was her brother’s date. We clicked from day one and had countless laughs since. I’m so glad she decided to be nice to her brother’s new girlfriend! 😉 I had Jackie standing by my side and I’m so happy to be standing by hers on her wedding day. Love you Jackie!!"
Kevin Nieman
Groomsman
"Jake is a brother who cares about his family and friends. He is not perfect but he wants to believe the best for me. Mom brought Jake to my second grade class when he was born. Thats a memory I won't forget."