Wedding Party
Samantha
Bridesmaid
Sammy and I have known each other the longest. She is my best friend from the third grade. Sammy is my childhood, every memory I have includes her. We grew up playing volleyball and basketball together, experiencing our first concerts together, memorizing every Backstreet Boys song and driving our mother's crazy with whatever trouble we could get ourselves into. Sammy was by my side for the good and bad growing up, she was in my Quincenera and is an honor to share the aisle with on our wedding day.
Elizabeth
Bridesmaid
Elizabeth is Mateo's Godmother. Liz is always there with no questions asked. She is one who can have her customer service voice one minute and with a flip of a switch can turn into my muscle. She is kind as she is fearless. My greatest memories with Liz are from before we became moms. She was always down for a junk food binger, always bailed me out when I was in "Tati Mode". Most definitely the sister from another mister. Liz is the vieja of the group with the youngest soul. I love you Comadre.
Vanessa
Bridesmaid
Vanessa is someone I've admired from day one. She is the angel on my right shoulder. Vanessa has helped me in a million and one ways to be a better person. She always looks on the brighter side of things and carries herself with such grace as she conquers her world. From being coworkers at Bed Bath & Beyond to having the best big sister anyone can ask for, I could not imagine our special day without her. "Love you Sis"
Michele
Bridesmaid
Michele is someone who I love to live life vicariously through. I tell her all the time that we will be each other in our next life. Shells is one of the smartest people I know. Our little adventures have been the times of my life. I may not be able to drop everything for a Luke concert or a ball game like I use to, but I appreciate everything thus far and thank you for being here for my next era Meatball. ;)
Ciara
Bridesmaid
She is my very first friend I made in college. Ciara is my hype woman for many, many reasons. With anything I felt like I could not do, she was there telling me, "Tati, yes you can". She has pulled through some of the hardest, most awkward times for me. Ciara is a special rock of mine that is also always down for a good time. Here is another one for the books, girlie. Gracias por todo, xoxo!
Leslie
Bridesmaid
The one who didn't want to be my friend, haha (personal joke). Leslie knows anything and everything about me. She is the one who can read the air bubbles above my head. This bond was built from surviving through the good, the bad, pretty and ugly times life has thrown at us. I couldn't have persevered through some things had she not been there. We've lived and learned through a lot and laughed through more times than I can count. Love you girlie, thank you for being a part of my happy ending.
Bay
Maid of Honor
Bay Olivia is our oldest of the four. On the first day I met you, you asked your mom if I was going to be your new stepmom. Shortly after meeting, you couldn't wait to show me your room and tell me your class gossip and who your crush was. I hope our bond continues to stay as strong as it was from day one. You've bloomed so much in the three years I've known you. Continue to accomplish those goals of yours and be you Babygirl, Daddy and I are so proud of you.
Mariana & Tessa
Flower Girl
Our double trouble! People always ask how we do it with these two and to be honest they are the easiest two out of our four kids. They are the most responsible five years olds you can ever meet, if anything they keep our oldests in check. It is never a dull moment with them, whether we are scolding them to stop talking and go to bed or singing our hearts out in the car, they can always make us laugh. At the time they were both four years old, but I will never forget the crazy looks I got for taking them dress shopping. It was all worth it after seeing these two cuties burst into tears when choosing my dress. Tessa aka Chicken Little, there aren't words to explain how much I appreciate you. You always make me feel like I am more than just a stepmom. I Love You Ketchup. Mariana aka my mini me, you are the definition of my karma. You make me laugh just as much as you drive me crazy. God, willing I make it through all your major milestones in life, but I thank God I get to cherish this special day with you by side. I Love You Muneca.
Miguel
Groomsman
Big Mig. Miguel grew up a couple houses down from me. Miguel was always my bodyguard whenever we went out. I recall very few times when Mig was not by my side, whether at a high school party or out in the city. I cherish our very long nights out and look forward to many more years of friendship. I would also like to take credit for getting Miguel in the car industry as I hired him at Oreilly Auto Parts many years ago. Miguel may seem hard and tough when you first meet him, but we all know he is a big teddy bear. Love you bro. GC for LIFE!
RJ
Groomsman
Geezy the snowman. RJ lived across the street from me until he met the love of his life and started his own family and moved to Munster. Growing up, RJ was the guy I always looked up to. I admired his work ethic, his taste in clothes and his love for his family. As busy as we both are in our lives, RJ and I make sure we send out that weekly text just to check in. RJ took me on my first out of the country trip to the motherland AKA Mexico and we made some very fun and wild memories. Thank you for always looking out for me bro and helping me "grow up" in certain ways. I wish we could take one more night out and visit Legroom! Love ya bro.
Jake
Groomsman
Jake grew up three houses down from me, the pink house to be exact. I was either over his house or he was over mine. My grandma would always ask for Jake whenever he wasn't with us and often referred to him as another grandchild. My fondest memories of our childhood are in the baseball diamond. We played against each other plenty of times but also play together just as much. Whether it was arguing about who was better in front of Step Garza's house or discussing who our next elementary girlfriend was going to be, Jake was there. Jake traveled in a snowstorm when Bay was born to be by my side, that in itself should tell you what type of friend he is. Here is to many more my dude, I can't wait to stand by your side on your day as you will on mine.
Vincent
Groomsman
Chente!!!! My Godbrother. It is amazing to see what a wonderful young man you have turned into. I remember going to Vincent's house every Sunday morning for carnitas right before the Mexican/Puerto Rican parades in the Harbor. Every time Zac came home, Vincent made sure that he dropped by the house to just hang out. From riding in the back of the red pickup truck to standing next to my side on my big day, Vincent is man that I can always count on for any type of support.
Jose
Groomsman
I met Jose at United Rentals. For the first month or so I walked on eggshells around him as I knew he called the shots at the shop. As I started becoming more involved with service, Jose slowly started to trust me and not to long after I was being invited to White Sox games and our "after-work social hours" on Friday's. In such a very short amount of time you have helped me get through so many different phases in my life. From helping me with decisions about the girls to helping me with decisions about the love of my life. Jose is the male mentor that my mom always said I needed. Thank you for everything bro. Just like you always told me, "I ain't said they can't eat.....they just can't eat at my table".
Alejandro
Groomsman
I have known Alex the shortest out of all the groomsmen. Alex is my brother-in-law. In just the short amount of time that we have known each other, we have also learned a lot about each other. Alex allows me to wear the title of "mentor" when he needs advice. Alex wears many titles himself such as carpenter, pool installer, gardener, brother but most importantly father. If anyone knows me, they know I LOVE being a dad and when I see Alex father his son it warms my heart, as I see what I look like interacting with my children. The sky is the limit when it comes to the golden child, as long as he believes in himself just as his family does. Continue to work hard and chase your dreams bro.
Mateo
Best Man
The little boy who didn't eat anything but chicken nuggets and cheese pizza. That didn't last for long though once I came around. Now Mateo eats all types of food!! Mateo asked me once if I was sad I didn't have a son. My response was very simple, I have my son now so why would I be sad? Mateo had the biggest smile I had seen on him in the three years that I have been in his life. Mateo is very soft spoken and kind, he looks out for everyone around him whenever we go out. Mateo loves to learn everything he can, whether it be for school or learning things around the house from me. I often call Mateo a mommy's boy but guess what?! BE A MOMMY'S BOY BRO... BECAUSE I AM TOO! I love you boy. Always keep your head up and do what you want to do in life! I am proud of you!
Alejandro Jr.
Ring Bearer
Baby AJ but not so much of a baby anymore. Obviously by the name, AJ is Alex's son. I have the pleasure of being called Tio by this little man. AJ is full of thunder and loves Spiderman just like Mateo. I went from AJ running away from me to now when he sees me on facetime he screams "Tio Jon"!!! I love the fact that AJ gets to grow up with Mariana and Tessa. The littles will be sure to show him who the real bosses are. On our day we look forward to seeing AJ run down the aisle with our rings!