Shawn & Kelly
Wedding Party
Ginger Cannon
Maid of Honor
Where do I start? The best cousin a girl could ask for. Although she is younger than I, her determination and insight have helped me overcome so many bumps in the road. She is a gift! I can never thank her enough for her superhero powers that got both my father and I to Chicago in the nick of time. Ginger was a tom boy as a child and had many injuries as a result of her adventurous side. Now she is a Jeep chic so I still pray for her! I love her more than words can say. Although we are separated by thousands of miles, the bond will never be broken. Ginger you will always be the ying to my yang. I know we still have some doozies ahead. BTW, I forgive you for forgetting me in the back of the Uber. Power to the people sister! xoxoxo
Bonnie Coleman
Maid of Honor
Bonnie arrived later in my life as a co-worker, at a time I needed someone to pick up the pieces. There were days I struggled to maintain my focus & there was Bonnie steering the ship to calmer waters & better times. She constantly anticipated what needed to be done in my classroom, before I ever asked. Now that's divine intervention. From co-workers to partners in crime, Bonnie taught me that girlfriends provide extraordinary healing powers. Our memories include fun concerts, outrageous camping experiences,thrift shopping, raising our daughters, & vacations. Only a soul mate would agree to accompany me to spring break in Mexico. I see Bonnie & I winning a trip to Europe some day. I love her for her pickles & her keep it real sense of humor. She is responsible for many of my laugh lines.
Brittany Clark
Bridesmaid
Brittany arrived in 1997. She was stronger than any of us could have imagined. Luckily doctors were on hand and turned a fragile situation into a miracle. Seeing her always put her best foot forward in school and in sports was inspirational. Brittany has always meant each obstacle with positivity and perseverance. I am so proud to call her my daughter. I am over joyed that she will be part of the second novel of my life. I know God has an amazing plan for her. I hope she knows that she can always LEAN ON ME. Brittany totally understands just how important it is to give to others. She knows that KINDNESS always counts even when those around you forget. I love her to the moon and back, and I hope she knows I can't help but embarrass her sometimes.
Brianna Clark
Bridesmaid
If was fireworks in 2000. Y2K was nothing compared to Brianna Carol. She has added spice to my life. From calling out referees on the soccer field to refusing to wear clothes I thought were adorable, she has been a FORCE. Brianna has been a fashion statement for as long as I can remember. She has decorated our home & put outfits together for everyone. Those dazzling blue eyes won our hearts & always gave her a second chance. She never hesitates to speak her mind & stand up for anyone in a pinch. I am convinced she will make this world a more humane place for everyone. She possesses wisdom beyond her years. I will never underestimate her wit, strength & beauty. I am her #1 fan no matter what she thinks or says. Mi casa es su casa. I love it when we agree on anything. XO to the moon & back!
Laurie Reynolds-Selensky
Bridesmaid
Laurie has been my friend since kindergarten. Even though we drifted apart after graduation, God landed her as my neighbor again in the late 80's. Those were some awesome times. Our childhood memories & young adult memories have bonded us for a lifetime. Laurie has always been there for me. She is one of the strongest and most loving woman I know. Our paths seem to intertwine at precisely the right moments. Proof there are angels among us.. Laurie has been not only my angel but an angel to so many. God has an amazing plan for her. I am blessed and honored that she is making a supreme sacrifice to be part of my wedding. She continues to be the icing to my cake. Laurie is a constant reminder to me that God never gives us more than we can handle. We love each other unconditionally. Drum roll!
Kristina Stecker
Bridesmaid
When it was time to start balancing my career & family, God gave me the strength to transfer closer to home. It was a scary move because I was so content at Harlan. A miracle happened, I was met with open arms by Kristina. She took me under her wing & shared everything with me. In no time we became the best of friends. Our talents complemented each other on a regular basis. This working relationship quickly spilled over to summer pool parties & prestigious Christmas gatherings at her beautiful home. My girls loved the red carpet treatment that came along with visits to the Stecker home. We still talk about the real vanilla bean ice cream. Kristina & her family continue to be the cherry on top. She is so special to me. There was no hiccup we couldn't overcome with some good wine.
Patty Brown
Bridesmaid
Patty! Patty! Patty! AKA Pretty Patty Painter from Pontiac, until Scott Brown came into the picture & she became Patty Brown from Downtown. She has shared so many wonderful memories with me. All the way back to high school, summer frolics, Big Boy escapades, 21st birthday celebrations, Bellevue Island rendezvous, Pine Knob excursions, and even my first wedding. Patty has been by my side with her dazzling smile, inspirations, and the most remarkable happy-go-lucky spirit ever. I wish I could bottle her MOJO! She lifts me up every time we are lucky enough to spend time together. Nothing is ever tabu. I admire the love & compassion she has with Scott. He's a lucky man and I am so lucky that she can be part of my special day. Did I mention she was a cheerleader? That explains everything.
Jimmy Paramo
Best Man
Jimmy is my cousin from my mom's (Paramo) side of the family. More like brothers rather than cousins, we have had many journeys and fun times together. From childhood, daring each other to do something stupid which once cost me a broken collar bone and lump on my forehead, to first time hunting, boxing and even sneaking off from the family while in Mexico to climb the Popocatépetl volcano, we somehow survived. There have been many journeys and stories over the years and I am sure they will continue well into the years ahead. I am looking forward to them, minus the broken bones and lumps!
Ron Brunson
Best Man
Ron was the very first friend I made in school (Kelly and I already knew each other) when we moved from Pontiac to Lake Orion mid-year in seventh grade. He lived down the road from us and we rode the bus together, sitting next to each other every morning. He was already wrestling and it was a sport I really wanted to do besides boxing. I started the following year and we bonded even more. From seventh grade through high school graduation, we were inseparable. I went away to Ferris State University and Ron onto marriage and a family. Sharing the good times and bad over the decades, we have remained friends and are always there for each other.
Richard Phillips
Groomsman
Rich and I met at Ferris State University while being in the same fraternity, Delta Sigma Phi. Our birthdays are exactly one week apart so during our days at FSU he would drive me around on my bday so that I could take advantage of the free drinks offered. The following week I would drive him so that he could do the same. I first started bowhunting while at FSU with Rich. Even though I never harvested a deer while there, it was so much fun. Many years passed for me without bowhunting, but since being back in Michigan we continue to bow hunt together every October. Rich has been instrumental in rejuvenating the Mendoza family cabin. He even constructed the first buck pole, which has been used many times.
Jeff Glass
Groomsman
Jeff and I met in high school and we still laugh about some of the stupid things we did as kids. After getting married to his wife, Jenny, they bought a house not too far from my parents so I would visit them often while in Michigan. When I moved back after all these years they decided to move to Florida so we don't see each other that often anymore. However, when we do it's just like where we left off. Kelly and I loved getting together on Christmas Eve and playing spoons with the Glass family. Jeff would always chef up a gourmet spread. Looking forward to playing spoons with the Glass family again. Those holiday tournaments brought out the best in everyone and are greatly missed, good times!
Ron Knoppe
Groomsman
Ron and I also met at FSU and are fraternity brothers. He is my most punctual friend. When he gives a time that he will be at your house, he is knocking on the door exactly at that specified time. Needless to say he is always giving me a hard time because I am never ready! Out of all my friends, Ron has made the most trips to visit me in San Antonio. He even returned for more visits after taking a cold shower because my hot water was out during one of his visits. Since then, he has made sure I have hot water before visiting. And I promise never to leave him waiting for hours at the cabin while stopping for a pastie in the Upper Peninsula.
Michael Guajardo
Groomsman
Mike and I go back decades in Pontiac as kids. When I moved down to San Antonio, Mike was my first roommate and we continued to be roommates off and on for years. He introduced me to the San Antonio life, eateries, festivals, and nightlife. Mike also introduced me to the beach at North Padre. We stayed the entire time on the beach. Instead of renting a hotel, we slept in the car right on the beach. There is another Mike in our circle of friends and in order to differentiate between them we started referring to this Mike as Miguel. He has always been there whenever I needed something and I am honored to have him as a friend.
Tim Berg
Groomsman
Tim is another friend that lived down the road from me in Lake Orion. We met in junior high and I would ride my pedal bike down to his house where we would hang out. They lived on a lake and it was fun taking their rowboat out. After high school Tim bought a jet boat and the thrills heightened. Once even on the Mississippi, where we ran out of gas coming back and we were left floating down the river until we got towed back. The years passed but we always stay in touch no matter where we were living. Tim has since traded in the jet boat for a sweet cruiser with his wife, Nicole (Nikki). Nowadays it's Kelly and I hanging out with them on Lake St. Clair (among other places) being "naughty-cal".