Wedding Party
Holly Abney
Matron of Honor
Holly and Lauren became fast friends after working together at Chelo's restaurant. But that should not have been the beginning of this friendship. Holly and Lauren's families have been friends forever and if Lauren actually went to the sporting events that Holly did to support their brothers, they could have bonded earlier. Sorry that I unknowingly abandoned you at those events Hol! Now the friendship is where it was meant to be all along. Holly and Lauren share a love of the beach, Bachelor viewing parties, cocktails in the corner and all things that sparkle. They have cruised to Bermuda together and you better believe they pretended to be the queens of the world at the bow of that ship. Today, Lauren and Holly are in book club together, plan many beach days in the summer and practice their skills in thrift shopping at the local consignment stores. Holly is a wonderful human who gives great advice, is a great problem solver, and has the biggest heart of anyone!!
Tim Oates
Best Man
Tim is Jeff's dad. He has been a constant source of support over the years. Jeff enjoyed the days he would join Tim at work growing up watching how he interacted with customers and fixed their cars. The two have been to countless Applebees dinners together. Tim drove with Jeff to Rhode Island to move him for law school. The photograph is from Tim's second drive out after Jeff's vehicle died. Tim drove a new vehicle out to Jeff. Some of Jeff's fondest memories have been their road trips together to and from Rhode Island over the last few years. They love watching Christmas Vacation during the holiday season and laughing about cousin Eddie. I am sure being a dad is not easy but Jeff believes there has not been a better example for him to learn from. Because Jeff could not think of a better man to learn from, he felt it was only fitting that Tim be the best man.
Joanna Warburton
Bridesmaid
Joanna and Lauren have been friends since the third grade. Joanna walked right up to Lauren and said "Hi I'm Joanna, want to hang out?" and the rest is history. They spent their childhood years having sleepovers, making up amazing dances to the N'sync songs, walking to and from school together, and many pool day adventures. They never got the luxury of being in the same class after third grade but that never stopped them from being together. Joanna was a part of many firsts for Lauren... first airplane ride, first time to Florida and Disney, first time on a boat, first friend to get a car and drive her around everywhere, first time seeing Titanic, first visit to a friend at college, and many more. There were also many nights spent eating pixie sticks and having countertop conversations. There are too many memories to list. Joanna is a great confidant and if you need her she will be there no questions asked. She has always been the most hardworking person and takes pride in her job and family.
RC Oates
Groomsman
RC is Jeff's cousin. They are only a few months apart. They grew up thick as thieves. Whether arguing about Kenny Chesney or Dirks Bentley being the better country entertainer or discussing politics, the two remained inseparable over the years. RC has been an inspiration for Jeff. From serving in the military, to graduating college, to becoming Vice President of a tech company, Jeff has been inspired by RC's accomplishments. When they were kids, Jeff and RC would spend almost every day together in the summers. Daily walks to the walgreens for Dove chocolate bars and basketball at the Chilson center were favorites. They both started their first job together at The Great Colorado Marketplace while in 7th grade (a "courtesy" of RC's dad and Jeff's uncle - Dennis). While separated by many miles today, Jeff still enjoys their discussions about politics, the broncos, life, and of course the ongoing debate about who is the better country entertainer - Kenny Chesney or Dirks Bentley.
Charleve Carey
Bridesmaid
Lauren has known Charleve since her birth which was 6 months after her own. Cousins from the start, friends forever! The only two girl cousins on the Carey side made these two stick together like glue. Lauren and Charleve are opposite in many ways....blonde and brunette, tall and short, loves yoga and loves to watch others do yoga, vegetarian and juicy cheeseburger eater. Despite these differences, they complement each other well and share in their love of travel! These two have gone on many travel adventures together ranging from weekends in Iceland hiking up waterfalls or swimming in natural hot springs, long road trips across the country, quick trips to Aruba to hang on beaches with flamingos, and Nashville adventures while staying in hostels. You will also find these two on the dance floor for most of the night busting a move. The phrase that describes them best..."we're adorable".
Mike Oates
Groomsman
Mike is Jeff's brother. They are three years apart and grew up very close. While Jeff annoyed Mike to no end growing up, Mike always remained protective and patient. Jeff used to sleep on Mike's bedroom floor growing up, a sign of the safeness Jeff felt being around him. Despite this, Jeff did have to buy a safe and wrap it with a bike lock to prevent Mike from taking his allowance. The two looked forward to the football trading cards they would receive for earning good grades and opening them up to trade with each other. Once, Mike literally saved Jeff's life after Jeff started choking on a jawbreaker. Mike performed the Heimlich maneuver and popped the jawbreaker out. The two would navigate video games together, dress up the family dogs Dexter and Blaze, and watch the Matrix "lobby shootout" continually after their parents put in surround sound. Today, Mike has set a good example as a husband and soon-to-be father that Jeff finds inspiration in. Jeff looks forward to their yearly fantasy football drafts and their continued growth as friends and brothers.
Christie Hutchins
Bridesmaid
Christie and Lauren met in high school but became great friends after graduation. They are often asked if they are twins or sisters which is a compliment to both. They decided to just answer that question with "yes" and even made up their sister twin life in case they were asked. Christie and Lauren have had epic halloween costumes and show off their craftiness with handmade outfits (tutus are always necessary). They share a love of country music, concerts, sharing their wardrobe with each other, and a love for the Olympics! They may not love sports during regular seasons but bring on those super random sports that only come around once every 4 years. They will cheer like no other. Christie has been a fantastic wedding date to Lauren on multiple occasions with her great dance moves. Christie and Lauren have also been known to not let a snow storm stop them from having fun and when snowed in together, they bundled up and hit the town on foot. Christie is a great listener and problem solver and is always someone Lauren has been able to confide in.
Nick Ray
Groomsman
Nick is one of Jeff's best friends. They met in middle school and quickly became close. The two would play school pranks at Erwin Middle School and became really close in high school. Jeff remembers fondly their school project they spent hours together crafting for the Lord of the Rings: Return of the King class project. Jeff loved playing football with Nick. On one of Jeff's only carries as RB freshman year, in the huddle Nick looked at him and said "stay on my a$$ and I will take you to the end zone." One of Jeff's favorite things was spending time with Nick, the ray family, Ben, RC, and Roy in "biker's alley." From watching every episode of Breaking bad to countless hours of Trailer Park Boys, Jeff feels very lucky to have such a friend. Nick has set a great example that Jeff has found inspiration in. Nick's example as a father, husband, and teacher set an example that Jeff strives to emulate. Jeff is ever thankful for their friendship and would not be the man he is today without growing up with Nick.
Lindsay Mullowney
Bridesmaid
Lindsay and Lauren met through a mutual friend and always seemed to have lives that paralleled each other. They had the same major in college, just a few years apart, and knew similar people through church. When their lives finally came together it was friendship forever. They were roommates for two year living right on main street and it was the best. Lindsay was a morning person and Lauren was a night owl. This complemented their roommate-ship well. While living together they had many apartment adventures that include freaking out over spider crickets, very ancient house problems, a terrifying attic, late night conversations, Harry Potter movie marathons, daily walks to Brickley's in the summer, and a literal shared closet where we could talk between rooms. There are no limits on the laughs that these two have had together. Lindsay's love of sign language and missions is so inspiring to Lauren and they have shared a love of travel for missions. They may not live together anymore but thanks to Marco Polo, their conversations never stop.
Ben Williams
Groomsman
Jeff met Ben in the second grade. Ben had come over to RC's for a sleepover. At some point in the night, RC called the remote control for the TV a "beeper" ("pass me the beeper"). Ben and Jeff laughed uncontrollably for hours. The two would become best friends thereafter. Ben was always the level headed and controlled one of the bunch. He kept Jeff out of constant opportunities for trouble. Late night taco bell trips and countless hours of Madden football are cherished memories for Jeff. After Jeff was seriously injured freshman year of college, Ben moved in with Jeff and his parents to help look after Jeff. Ben would make Jeff protein shakes, help him to the dining room "weight room," and pushed Jeff to rehab himself. Ben helped Jeff grow his faith and Jeff was eventually baptized on the same day as Ben. Ben constantly sets a great example as a man of faith, a husband, a father, and an entrepreneur. Without Ben, Jeff would not be the person he is today.
Maggie Northup
Bridesmaid
Maggie and Lauren have been friends since high school homeroom. Their close alphabetical last names kept them close throughout those four years and they realized how hilarious they both are. Teachers coined them the giggle twins and the laughs have never stopped. They are not sure what they were being taught in social studies because they laughed right through it. Maggie and Lauren bonded over their love of the show "Lost "and all of its twists and turns. They both agree that the ending was horrible. In college they stayed connected by talking on the phone for long periods of time while waiting for classes to start. Maggie is a creative and talented woman! She is a great friend and is always there to listen. If you are sad and need someone to make you smile, Maggie is your girl!!
Luke Aprile
Groomsman
Jeff met Luke in law school. A fortuitous meeting in March of 2019 brought the two together. Jeff and Tim had flown to RI for a visit to Roger Williams Law School. The morning Jeff was supposed to visit the school, eight inches of snow dumped on Bristol and Jeff's visit was cancelled. The school offered the next morning as a backup. Luke was visiting the school that same day. The two hit it off and rented a condo together. The two spent countless hours talking law and business. Going through law school together builds a special bond. Jeff has learned from and grown by Luke's example in his businesses and life. During law school, they had favorite rituals that included movie night and large buffalo chicken pizzas every Sunday morning. Jeff feels very lucky to have spent law school with Luke and Luke feels very lucky to have such an AMAZING future in-house counsel for Strategy Red Sports.