Wedding Party
Nicole McConnell
Maid of Honor
Nicole is my wonderful 7w6 – she is a prankster, an adventurer, and a fellow JMU Duke!!! Nicole basically walked out of a Hallmark movie or the tv show ‘when calls the heart’… you take your pick. As a prankster, Nicole either goes too far or not far enough, but she IS GOING to be the coolest Aunt ever one day. On a serious note, as a baby Christian wrestling for sobriety, Nicole showered me with grace upon grace. She showed me that some people won’t give up on you, some people are willing to sit and stay awhile, and the forgiveness of God is something you can experience in real life. I love you with my whole heart, Nicole. Toenailz girlz for lyfe.
Wyatt Jamerson
Best Man
I don't have friends without Wyatt. I don't have confidence, I don't have glee, I don't have a childhood without Wyatt. My parents told me the greatest thing they ever did for me was send me to Wyatt as often as possible. I am a lot to handle, and Wyatt got the unfiltered raw version. The kid who didn't get social boundaries or jokes, women, or appropriate behavior. I've known Wyatt would be my best man since we were five. He deserves more from this life than it could possibly offer, so I'll try to give him the rest. I love you Wyatt.
Liza Whetzel
Matron of Honor
Liza is my sweet 9w1 - she was my first roommate out of college and while I usually speak of our time of learning how to be grown ups together with rose-colored glasses...it truthfully was a hard transition for both of us. God knew exactly what I needed when He sent her to me. She has fought for our friendship in a way that I had never experienced before. God used this woman to teach me invaluable lessons about love. She has shown me that people don’t always leave when things get tough, that you don't have to fit someone perfectly to be their person, and though conflict is scary – friends are always worth being brave for. Thank you for being brave with me, Loo. I love you.
Stephen Whetzel
Patron of Honor
Stephen is a large human sack filled with owls reading books about dead people. I have kept this secret from the beginning, now it's coming out. Stephen and I have dreamed so much together since our meeting in Paris. Engaged on the same day a year apart, we married the two brunettes who lived in Longwood. He is the one who keeps me from recklessness, and I am he that brings it to him. Love you Stephen, you crazy sack of owls.
Liz Uhrinec
Bridesmaid
Liz is my BOLD 3w4 (or w2 depending on the day). I will never forget the day God put this lady into my life. It was like looking into the mirror or meeting my long lost twin. She is my spiritual warrior, my wise counsel, and adventure partner. The past three years would not have been the same without you by my side. Long distance has been hard during COVID but our friendship has deep roots and the Leah&Liz show will continue on. I’m so grateful that you are my sister, my friend, my Liz. I adore you more than words could describe. ❤️
James Smyth
Groomsman
James has been better than me at basically everything we ever did. That was because James refused to do anything I was good at and I refused to not do what James was good at. Finally, in honest competition, I was second to propose, but the first male Smyth to get married. However, I believe we've found women of equal value. Although, for someone as capable with money as James, I don't know how he got the sugar mama.
Rachel Ferguson
Bridesmaid
Rachel is my defender, my beautiful 8w7. She is a warrior-princess sunflower-maiden poet-queen. Rachel radiates with strength and opinions. Rachel stands tall to defend her friends and protect them fiercely. Her heart beats for justice and for the gym. Her favorite food is Ben and Jerry’s - ask me what her flavor of the month is or just check our freezer. I never thought I’d meet someone who’s love coffee as much as I do, but here she is folks. Rachel is Finn&Is perfect third wheel and I cannot wait for our adventures as Mr. And Mrs Smyth (+ Rachel)
Justin Taylor
Groomsman
Justin is my big strong cuddle bug. He rearranges his room every couple of weeks and takes three hours to change his phone background. He bears me in all my difficulties and makes me sane. He is the friend who called me higher. The first to tell me that I was being one-sided. The first to carry me at my worst. He is my fire in a dark cave, a designer and artist, a truly beautiful man.
Kirby Herndon
Bridesmaid
Oh my STRONG and LOVELY 8w9... Kirby is my partner in crime, the yin to my yang, and the AP to my AR. It’s been a wild four years together. I wish someone told us we were in the good ole days when we were sitting up in the front of VSG. I miss scheming up our next team building event, having fashion shows at work, and going through our next workout regime together. You are my purple shade of lipstick, my “lets go all out” Halloween costume partner, and my real life HGTV aficionado. There is a special place in my heart named “Kirby Herndon” and it’s filled with Dunkin’ Donuts and a while lot of love.
Ian Watson
Groomsman
Ian is my sweet baby boy. My sweet cute wonderful baby boy. Ian has overcome anything and everything. Running by my side, we have gotten to see miracles together. We've cried and fought. He will destroy everything he touches, but when you come back hours later he's still trying to fix it. He has the most honest heart of any man I've ever met. I love him, and I am eternally proud to be his friend. God chose him to be there for me, and, I hope, me for him.
Jennie Crumpler
Bridesmaid
Jennie is my gentle 9w1 and one of my oldest, dearest friends. Our childhood taught me how deeply you can love someone and how someone can truly BECOME your sister even though you don't share the same genes. She was the gentle to my wild, the source of all my giggles, and a creative genius when it came to dreaming up our next adventure. Our weekends were filled with snow forts, Barbie dolls, and mac&cheese...it was truly an epic childhood. But the most important part was that I couldn’t and wouldn’t do anything without her. The weekend just wouldn’t be the same. Though fate has kept us from building our homes next to each other, I know she will always be a bright light in my life no matter where we both live. And that I still love her today as fiercely as I did in 1998. Lennie forever.
Nathan Jamerson
Groomsman
Nathan is a large and scary monster. He poops in the sink and doesn't cut his toenails. At one time, Nathan was bitten by a toothless wombat. The wombat knew it wouldn't hurt, but he still tried because he knew Nathan deserved it. In spite of all this, Nathan is my brother. If you ever wonder where I learned to rant about subjects as if I was the foremost expert on it, Nathan. He also taught me how to have fun and dive into my passions. I'm forever grateful he decided to finally love me at the age of 18. After only 12 years of seeing him every weekend.