“I Do” Crew

Anaya Mayes

Ariana Grande

The most beautiful and most special of the crew ;)

Kelley

Luminary

I remember the day Keish and I met... I was nervously headed to the convenience story section of my new job at the ODU bookstore and there she was. If you are imagining this as a movie scene, then you are seeing exactly what it was like. Slow motion as I move toward the register. Keish looks up and smiles. Movie goes back to real time and it is clear Keish is the type of person who lights up spaces. She is the ultimate luminary. Our story began there and continues to be as plain and extraordinary as the best of friendships are. Nights out dancing, crying over boys, fallouts that we regret took years away from our story. And rekindling. Raw friendship that allows the other access to our ugly. Somehow what Keish and I share is a rare ability to light each other up. To remind each other of who we are and who we've always wanted to become. We are each other's flashlight. It is no secret that Keish has had a tough few years. It was harder to remember who she was, harder to light up. Then, along the way, I started seeing some of her light return. I am so grateful she found Steph and he, too, knows how to make her light up and remember who she is.

Michele Scott Mitchell

Enduring Monarch

Starting life as ordinary, the monarch butterfly, becomes mighty and beautiful. She remains a symbol of transformation, rebirth and hope. This is Keisha and this is me, and this is what our friendship has become. We may have met at the ODU home of the monarch, but our friendship has become mighty and beautiful.

Carmelita

Beaches

Our friendship began with the constant of the beach. We lived near the beach, swam the beach in the early mornings, and went to the beach after we got out of school. We never realized until we got older just how much the beach has been our rock, our constant companion, our peace. We find the past, present, and our future there and I think we both realize that. Air (Aquarius), water (Scorpio) both fixed strong signs together in a vast limitless horizon of beauty. Sunsets and sunrises we both enjoy reminding us both of the love shared by the sea. I saw the sunrise this morning and thought of you. The water purifies, cleanses, and keeps us flowing with the current. The air that meets it creates the waves that beat against the sand. When the waves recede, it is like the breath of the ocean, the inhales and the exhales which break onto shore and then recede. A beautiful rhythm. A beautiful heartbeat. We will always be a constant rhythm or tone for each other to harmonize with. I love you and love that your wedding will be at the beach, how much better does it get?

Tosha Royce

Hallmark Queen

From Have a Nice Day and the Beach House. To the basketball court and soccer fields. We went from young adults partying to mothers coaching our kids and others. We may not have met when we were in high school but we were still young and had so much to learn. You taught me the meaning of nice nasty. I was ready to pop off you said let it go, we do not want to ruin our night. She will have to deal with that gum in her hair tomorrow. You taught me that it’s ok to be me, if they do not like you at your worst they do not deserve you at your best. You became my friend, my roommate, and then my family. We have been through the ups the down. From relationships, break ups, having babies and just the crazy worlds we live in now. From our Thursday nights watching ER enjoying pizza to our Hallmark movie and chicken nacho nights. Wondering when we going to get our happily ever after. One thing I know for sure the family you meet and pick is just as important as the family you’re born with. You’re my sister for Life and I wish nothing but Happiness. It's now time for you to enjoy your happily ever after.

Tamara Barnes

Covalent Bonds - H2O

Have a Nice Day Cafe and Bar Norfolk swings To learning life and spreading our wings To many steak outs and Sunday dinners A start of a career thanks to an emergency hire Kids, sports and life moving fast To vacationing in COVID and telling it to kiss our ass Walking, BBW and writing papers was so fun You have always been part of my destiny The most loving, loyal and selfless person I know I love you, can’t wait to continue the story with your new beginning From our favorite karaoke song I will hold on forever, and usher said “you don’t have to call" but yes you do

John Marks

Brother of Groom

Raffael Cooke

Groomsman

Kellz

Groomsman

Mell

Groomsman

Damien

JR GROOMSMEN