Wedding Party
Kim Patrick
Bride
Austen Barraclough
Groom
Ashley Boucher
Maid of Honor
Our friendship started in the hallways of the good ole Robbins Apartments at SPU. After figuring out we were also on the newspaper and the dance team together we quickly became friends. We've walked through everything life has thrown at us together. She may be a whole foot shorter than me, but she is mighty and I look up to her in amazement of who she is.
Ryan Deyling
Best Man
It was through Ryan that I made my way into the remarkable group that comprises my groomsmen. Despite growing up only five miles apart, we had to move five hundred miles away to college in order to meet. Ryan is more brilliant than anyone you know. He has inspired and supported me more than anyone else. He has the potential to be a once-in-a-generation creative and I will continue to learn from him the rest of my life. As Jonathan was to David in 1 Samuel 18, so am I to my best man, Ryan.
Kaitlyn Martin
Bridesmaid
I'm not sure that I can fully encapsulate all that Kaitlyn is in words. Kaitlyn and I became friends after I wandered across the hall and into her apartment after my first year at SPU. I needed somewhere to live and little did I know that I would be living with her for many years after that. Kaitlyn is the most unexpected good in your life that you didn't know you were missing. She will tell you how it is, what she thinks, and push you to be better than you knew you could be.
Slate Herman
Groomsman
Slate is the kind of person who will have biographies written about him. In twenty-five years he has stood down more of life's absurdity than most people would dare to challenge over the course of a whole life. His character is powerful and is rivaled only by his intellect. He has cared about me even when life gave him ample reason only to care for himself. Just like the father of all who are chosen, Slate has wrestled with God, and it has left him uniquely blessed.
Karina Gutierrez
Bridesmaid
At first, Karina was Arnold's little sister. Now, she is one of my best friends and I guess also still Arnold's sister. I've known Karina for over 10 years and our friendship has become a bright ray of sunshine in my life. Karina is the ultimate friend and will encourage you in every aspect of your life.
Cody Martin
Groomsman
Cody is the kind of person who could adapt Slate's biography into a screenplay that wins Oscars. He's got the quickest wit of any one of us and I learned more from him about about recognizing great art than I did from any classroom. Cody is special because he's got such an admirable blend of child-like passion and fatherly duty. After Elijah prophesied the drought and famine in Israel, his call from God was to take care of a widow and her son. Cody is our Elijah, prepared to take responsibility for others when the drought comes and the flour is spent.
Lisa Rivera
Bridesmaid
Oh... Elizabit. We met in a bible study and I decided "I like this girl." No one is quite as honest and comfortable in who they are as Lisa. We really cemented our friendship when we joined a cult (aka Crossfit) and dedicated a month to being Paleo. Lisa's heart for people continues to amaze me and I love watching God use her.
Thomas Rotering
Groomsman
Some people have opinions about everything. Thom on the other hand has informed, intelligent, and interesting insight into everything. Thom has always felt like an ally, not least because of his kindness, but also because we share a deep love of scholarship and liturgical worship. Like Solomon, Thom's seemingly endless stream of wisdom comes from humility to seek the knowledge he doesn't have. Like Solomon's judgment before the two women of 1 Kings 3, Thom's judgement is prudent, shrewd, and confident. A remarkable friend to have.
Becky Neelon
Bridesmaid
It wasn't by chance that Becky came into my life. God knew what He was doing. We lived together at the infamous Casá Dáy along with Karina and Lisa. Our times there were filled with laughter, eye rolls, tears, encouragements, and so much love! Becky is one of the best people to go to with a problem (because she always knows how to solve it) or a joke (because she will laugh at you whether you're funny or not).
Nick Loudon
Groomsman
Nick is the stalwart of our group. But where most stalwarts are brash and critical, Nick is gentle and understanding in his convictions. Nick has an incredible ability to make everyone he talks to feel valued. He is quietly passionate and winsomely funny. Nick is Daniel in Babylon – fasting to the glory of God while his countrymen defile themselves with the king's food. When the lions of life surround you, you want someone by your side who has had practice taming them.
Nichole Camacho
Bridesmaid
12 years of friendship with this Godly woman has been incredible. There is no one else you want on the battlefield with you other than Nichole. She will love you hard when you most need it and challenge you when you didn't know you needed to be challenged. Wisdom oozes out of her and her friendship has been life-giving. Not to mention, she's a great matchmaker ;-)
Jeremy LaBahn
Groomsman
Jeremy defines conscientiousness. Although our friendship wasn't cultivated over the same hallowed, Phoenix, fourth-floor heights as some of the rest of these guys, he belongs here. I admire him no less. He is one of only a handful of people in my life whose friendship exponentially exceeds the bare, cold statistic of hours spent together. He works harder than anyone I know but also enjoys life as much as anyone I know. He is a trustworthy and good man.
Kelsey Patrick
Bridesmaid
Well, she's my sister. But as we grew individually, our sisterhood flourished into a friendship. We now are able to look back on our younger years and appreciate having someone that understands. Kelsey is the most loyal friend I know and cares for people deeply. She made me a big sister and I can't wait to have her standing my me on my big day!
Campbell Rust
Groomsman
Campbell was with us all from the beginning. The debt I owe to Ryan for integrating me into this dynastic group of friends I also owe in a small way to Campbell. Though we didn't get to complete our time at GCU together, Campbell's charm made me feel at home in this group quicker than anything or anyone else. His Romanticism adorned our evenings together and the purity of his heart colors nearly every memory of the years we spent together. Even in distance, my love for him has not faded – Campbell, the red-hearted one.
Kayden Patrick
Jr. Bridesmaid
It's still crazy to me that she's too old to be the flower girl but honestly, it's a blessings to have my littlest sister stand by me as a bridesmaid. Kayden has a kind heart and genuinely loves her friends and family. I have seen her grow into a beautiful young woman and I cannot wait to see what God is going to do in her life.
Steven Barraclough
Groomsman
There is something very powerful about the simplicity of the relationship I share with my brother. Being five years apart in age has meant that we haven't always been so close relationally. However, there is one thing I have never doubted, and one thing that I know as truly as I know anything in this world – that he loves me and would do almost anything for me. And that is the most important thing a big brother can give. I look forward to growing closer in our adult lives and learning from the strong man that he is.