Caris & Mark
Wedding Party
RACHAEL
Maid of Honor
Rachael and Caris celebrated 20 years of friendship in 2018. The "besties" met in Oregon during 2nd grade. Caris' family moved to Arizona the summer after 2nd grade, but Rachael and Caris stayed in contact through snail mail and occasional sleepovers when one or the other would visit extended family members in either OR or AZ. In 2004, Rachael's family moved to AZ, and the besties were reunited! Through their college years, Rachael and Caris lived in various states, but always found their way back to the Valley of the Sun and each other.
TRICIA
Maid of Honor
Tricia and Caris met in 3rd grade after each had moved to Arizona from out-of-state (Tricia from California and Caris from Oregon). They immediately found each other to be a F4L (Friend 4 Life). They share many goofy memories, but have also walked alongside each other through difficult times. Caris is thankful for the many ways Tricia encourages her in the Lord. This year, Tricia and Caris will celebrate 20 years of friendship in August!
BREANA
Bridesmaid
Breana and Caris also met through homeschooling. Through homeschooling events and girls' Bible studies, their friendship grew. Breana and Caris also bonded over their passion for international missions' work and seeing the Gospel spread to "the ends of the earth." Caris was a bridesmaid in Breana's wedding in 2014 and looks forward to having Breana standing with her as she enters the covenant of marriage as well.
LAUREN
Bridesmaid
Lauren and Caris met through homeschooling. They've enjoyed being in Bible studies together, going on hikes, and having relaxing evenings at one another's homes for dinner and a movie. Lauren and Caris each have unique stories of how God has comforted and matured them as individuals, but also how God has knit their stories together to bring beauty from ashes. They've experienced the reality of Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 -- "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up."
JOMARIE
Bridesmaid
Jomarie is Caris' sister-in-law by marriage, but a friend of the heart by choice. Caris is convinced she could not have hand-picked a better woman for her big brother, Caleb, to marry. For the past 5 years Caris has enjoyed getting to know Jomarie as sis-in-law and friend. Caleb and Jomarie have been instrumental in offering their home as a "hang out spot" where Mark and Caris can hang out in semi-privacy while remaining "above reproach" in their relationship.
LAUREN
Bridesmaid
Caris is excited to have another soon-to-be sister! Lauren is married to Mark's brother, Ray, and Caris knew immediately upon meeting her that she would be a kindred spirit. Caris feels very blessed to have another sister-in-law who is not only an "in-law," but also a friend. She looks forward to continuing her newly found friendship with Lauren over the many years ahead.
RAY
Best Man
What can I say about my brother? He’s been my best friend since the beginning. He’s introduced me to so many cool things throughout the years. I’ve had the pleasure of living with him for most of my life. There has only been a handful of years that we haven’t been in the same house. I am honored that he will be standing at my side when I marry my beautiful bride. To wrap up this love fest, I have never been on this earth without a friend, because as soon as I was born I had a big brother. “Mcgee!!!! What are you doing here?!?!?!”
SPENCER
Groomsman
Spencer, dearest of all my friends. What do you get when you combine high school football, video games, and God? A friendship that has lasted over 15 years. God used Spencer and his family to shape the rest of my life. He helped me and my family find faith in Christ and there is nothing I can do to repay that. I hope he knows how much it means to have him standing with me during the wedding. Thank you for inviting me to your house to play Start Wars Jedi Outcast! “SNAKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKE!!!!”
KYLE
Groomsman
Crazy ol’ Morris. He was the first of many boys that I had the pleasure of mentoring. That mentorship quickly became a great friendship. I’ve learned so much watching this young boy grow into a Godly man. He has been a major help with my walk with Christ. It was a great pleasure being his best man at his wedding and I couldn’t imagine having a wedding without him standing with me. “What’s the matter Kyle? Shane’s got you pushing too many diamonds?”
CHESTIN
Groomsman
Chesty!!!! If we were living in a Pokemon universe I wouldn’t want anyone else adventuring with me and riding on my shoulder. I choose you Chestin to be one of my groomsmen (okay that was super lame but it’s staying in)! Chestin is the newest roster to my family of friends. He has been a great pal to talk to and I look forward to learning from him in the years to come. We never leave one of your boys hanging, so Chestin will be standing with us during the wedding. “Oh! Was this hammock made for two?”
JOSH
Groomsman
The youngest of this family of friends. Josh is the sharpest kid I know. Master chess player. He is the smartest kid I know, but is still willing to come down to our level and play a game of Smash Bros. He is a constant source of knowledge about the word of God and I enjoy all the deeper conversations we have. Josh is a great friend, but a better man of God. Don’t let his age fool you, he deserves an honored spot as one of my groomsman. “This is it Josh, this is the day she falls in love with him”
CHRISTOPHER
Groomsman
The second of the boys I’ve had the pleasure of mentoring. I met Chris shortly after meeting Kyle. Chris is the coolest cat I know. Down to earth and down to talk about anything. We’ve been through a lot over the years and I love seeing God work on Chris’s heart. He has been a source of laughter, fun, and all around coolness. Rounding out the boys is the grooviest kid I know. “Cucumber Joe doesn’t need shoes, he lives off the land”