Leah & Eric
Wedding Party
Butsina Wanjala Acholonu
Matron of Honor
Butsina and Leah met on the first day of college as they were in the same 15 person orientation group. They lived in the same floor freshman year and have never looked back! Since college, both moved to California and regularly hang out, go on shopping adventures and stay up until 4am talking the night away.
Henry Kwong
Best Man
Henry and Eric, his very distant cousin, met in high school and hung out with the same crowd during lunch. Although they shared similar interests, Eric always wanted to play basketball while Henry always wanted to go fishing. So they weren't quite a match made in heaven. It took living together for a couple of years to solidify their bond as friends forever. And now that they own property together they are legally bonded as well.
Kylee Arnold
Bridesmaid
Kylee and Leah have been friends since Northstar Junior High. They first bonded over Sailor Moon and Gundam Wing, and now share all sorts of interests and hobbies. Kylee and Leah stayed close during Kylee's many years living abroad, with hours of gabbing on the phone keeping their friendship scenario alive and thriving despite any distance.
Marcus Huey
Groomsman
Marcus is the Tum-Tum to Eric's Rocky & Henry's Colt. His house was also where they tended to all hang out together during nights in high school and early college. Marcus was always down to join in no matter what the activity. Whether it was going out to dinner, watching movies, bowling, fishing, basketball, poker, or Mario Party there was always good banter and entertainment to be had.
Brittnee Merritt
Bridesmaid
Brittnee and Leah met in a roundabout way. The short version is they met one night at thier mutual friend Jess's apartment in Denver, stayed in touch and within a year Leah started traveling to Denver to see and stay with Brittnee! Leah and Brittnee always laugh a lot together, and any visits include a lot of co-op gaming, wine, and Leah's watery eyes when they are in Denver.
Sherry Mung
Groomswoman
Sherry and Eric also met in high school, where they would communicate by leaving notes in art class for each other because this was before Eric had a real cell phone. Numerous trips to the mall and watching many movies together have culminated in a lifelong friendship. Although these days those trips are decided more by their stomachs (sushi, pho, and korean bbq are preferred) they are still just as cherished as when they were younger .
Joanna Rodriguez
Bridesmaid
Jo was Leah's first friend on Facebook, back when you needed a college email address to join. From living across the hall from each other freshman year, Leah and Jo practically lived together all four years of college. Jo would always introduce Leah to lots of new music and make mixed CDs for their various road trips. Despite living in different states, Leah and Jo make a point of seeing each other regularly to stay caught up and make new memories.
Alex Nella
Groomsman
Alex and Eric were acquaintances from playing basketball on the weekends with some mutual friends. When Eric was looking for a place to live for a short time, Sherry mentioned that Alex happened to be looking for a new roommate as well (since her now-husband Matt had been Alex's roommate before) and the rest is history. Nowadays you can find Eric at Alex's house every weekend watching UFC and hanging out with his family.
Debi Ores
Bridesmaid
Debi and Leah met during Intro Week at UC Davis School of Law. They immediately bonded over a shared sense of humor, books, baking and so much more. Leah and Debi have remained close friends, including Leah becoming frisbee adjacent, Tahoe trips, learning creative ways to ice people, and spending many nights playing board games.
Celia Jackson
Bridesmaid
Celia and Leah met just before starting 7th grade, with thier collective parents saying they both played soccer and should be friends. But low and behold they became fast friends in and out of school, playing Halo, Final Fantasy 8, studying Japanese and playing lots of chess. Though Celia and Leah have rarely lived in the same place since high school, they have remained close. So much so, that in 2019 Leah and Celia (plus Rob!) spent 3 weeks traveling through England and Greece together.
Debbie Strigenz
Officiant
Debbie has been best friend's with Leah's mom since eighth grade. Debbie has always been like an aunt to Leah, hosting her family in Wisconsin, traveling together (even to Cuba!), and so much more. Eric and Debbie got to meet on a trip back to Seattle, getting along so well that Debbie still raves about how wonderful Eric is all the time. Eric would say it was love at first sight. Their relationship was sealed with the two bottles of rum punch Eric brought back from Hawaii just for Debbie. We've spent virtual Christmases together with Leah's family and stayed with Debbie during the summer in Wisconsin. We are very touched she agreed to officiate our wedding ceremony and be part of our special day.