Wedding Party
Nancy Ruthsdottir
Mother of the Bride
This woman is the whole reason I am the person I am today!! Nobody has been a bigger supporter, greater motivator, or fiercer protector than my mother. Even long before I came around, my mother has given her children everything and put herself and her dreams aside to focus on her children's. She gave her best years to ensure we had everything we needed to be successful and independent, even if that meant compromising her own. My mama is truly the most selfless woman and I owe so much of who I am to her!! Mama, thankyou for always being in my corner!! From letting me make my own mistakes with stupid boys to choosing to drop out of college and pursue a career that scares the living hell out of you, you have never tried to stop me from living life the way I want to - in fact, you have gone out of your way to support me at every step. I cannot thankyou enough for that!! I have learned so much from you and I know I will continue to do so for the rest of my life!! And watching how you've grown and changed throughout the years has been nothing short of inspirational.. Everyday, you teach me that you are never too old to change your mind, learn a new skill, or get a new tattoo!! You make me want to be brave and taught me to face uncertainty with the faith that I will come out on the other side better and stronger than ever. I am so proud to call myself your daughter and I strive to be as badass as you are everyday!! I love you and am so lucky to call myself your daughter!!
Dom Gilliam
Father of the Bride
There is no harder working man than my papa!! All of my work ethic, drive and grit has been inspired by watching how my father provided for us growing up. From long hours working at UPS to even longer hours keeping his 4 kids entertained, he has brought a level of energy unmatched by even his own children!! Always the life of the party, he has a way of bringing out the kid in me and reminding me that I don't live to work, but that I work to live - and it is because of this mindset that I have been able to achieve so much in my life. Papa, you have given us so much and now that we are grown, I want nothing more than for you to live your life the way you want!! Thankyou for sacrificing so much for us and for teaching me that if I am willing to work hard and set myself up for the future, I can overcome anything, no matter how impossible it may seem. Thankyou for showing me what it means to be truly selfless, and while we may not have always seen eye to eye, you have never stopped caring for and protecting me. From the moment you decided to be a father, you have put yourself aside in order to provide for you family and you worked hard everyday to ensure that we were provided for. You are the foundation of the person I have become and I owe you so much for all you have taught me throughout the year. You made me into the independent, hard working woman I am today and I will carry these lessons with me for the rest of my life!! I love you and am so excited to celebrate with you!!
Abigail Smith
Matron of Honor
Abby and I met during our college era. She was the particular girly and I was the anime nerd - needless to say, it was not love at first sight. Something about a shower curtain... But after a few growing pains and learning to speak each other's languages, we became inseparable!! We lived together in Arizona for a few years, and when separation became unavoidable, we said, "bet". She became my gym partner, always meeting up with me after work (1 AM!!) to motivate me and keep me company!! Or was it to talk my ear off while I ran for miles... And when we were feeling extra productive, we'd go on early morning hikes for miles and miles that now just feel like mere moments in time. I would keep her motivated by promising Jamba Juice or Starbucks afterwards. When Abby got a great job opportunity in Phoenix, I remember the drunken nights crying over the change (Ohh, our heavy hearts!!), but in hindsight, we should have known that wasn't going to keep us apart. We made it work no matter what!! Driving back and forth from Phoenix to Tucson and vice versa to ensure we got our time together. And while it didn't make it any easier, it did help us prepare for my eventual move to Denver, CO. Ohh, the tears.. But by then, we were professionals!! Abby, I truly have never met a more loyal, thoughtful, ride or die bitch than you!! I love and miss you so damn much and I can't wait to see what new adventures await us, be that together or not!! Thankyou for being a part of our wedding!!
Niasha Grant
Maid of Honor
How did Niasha and I meet? Well, let me tell you the tale of how she broke my brother's heart and how we were almost officially sisters!! Haha. JK. While Jon and Niasha did date for a record 86 hours in middle school, Niasha and I didn't rekindle our sisterhood until our college days where we found ourselves serving tables in the same hellscape... Talk about trauma bonding!! She was the reason I even stepped foot in the door most days!! If she was working, I always knew that shit was gonna go smoothly and it was gonna be a good day!! Niasha has always been a calming, grounding presence in my life and when she finally broke free from our prison, it wasn't even a blip in our friendship!! Without skipping a beat, we have always been bonded through our years in the customer service world, leaning on one another for support and gassing each other up for any challenge life threw our way. You will never meet a more driven and determined girly!! When we moved out to Colorado, Niasha just saw it as an excuse to travel more, never missing an opportunity to sleep on our air mattress. And when I say this girl was pivotal in getting me through Fire Academy, I mean it!! When it came to emotional support through the biggest challenge I have ever faced in my life, she gave Kenny a run for his money... Niasha, I don't know where I would be without you... I mean it when I say you are my sister!! I love you dearly and it means the world to us to have you be a part of our special day!!
Krystal Guerrero
Bridesmaid
When it comes to soulmates, Krystal is my OG!! We met in our freshmen year of high school and from then on, there wasn't a moment we weren't together. Always the chauffeurs (shout out to Bambi and Jango Fett), Krystal and I loved going on adventures and experiencing life together!! She was my rock to lean on when some dumb boy broke my heart and she was the guiding light in my life that kept me out of trouble and focused on my future!! I always admired her drive and strived every day to keep up with her!! Throughout the years, Krystal and I have always found our way back to one another - from trips to Las Vegas together to traveling back and forth between Arizona and Colorado, we have always made time for one another. Being a part of her and Alex's wedding day was one of the greatest honors I have ever been given!! And when I heard they were having their first kid, the amount of pride I felt was indescribable!! Getting to watch her thrive as not only a successful boss ass bitch, but also an incredible mother and fearless woman has been nothing short of inspirational!! Krystal, through so many years, it makes my heart swell at the fact that we have never forgotten each other... While life took us on very different journeys and to very different states, it has never dampened my love for you!! I am so grateful to have a friendship with you that is truly untouched by time!! And having you as a part of our wedding is yet another great honor you have given me!!