Meet Our Wedding Party
Lyndsey Bican
Maid of Honor
Lyndsey and her older sister didn’t exactly start out as best friends. As the big sister, Melissa will admit Lyndsey got on her nerves more times than she could count — and she wasn’t always as nice as she should have been. But one thing has always been true: nobody else was ever allowed to mess with Lyndsey. And that rule still stands. They share plenty of childhood memories, including sneaking out of bed after their parents fell asleep — until the night they dressed the cat in a frilly pink dress and it made a dramatic escape straight into their parents’ room. They only got caught once… and that was enough. After Lyndsey graduated high school, their relationship grew into something more than just sisters — they became true friends. They’ve lived together, grown together, and walked through some of life’s hardest moments side by side. When their dad passed away, Melissa was incredibly grateful to have Lyndsey to grieve with and share memories. She used to call him for car trouble or home project advice — now she calls Lyndsey, because he taught her well, and if Lyndsey learned it from him, it’s as good as gold. Watching Lyndsey raise two strong, intelligent, amazing daughters has been one of Melissa’s greatest joys. She is an incredible mother, and Melissa is proud to call her not just her sister, but her Maid of Honor.
Tim Paraja
Best Man
Josh met Tim in 2014 at Fort Carson, Colorado, where their friendship was built the traditional Army way—through long days, two deployments, countless missions, and an impressive amount of food and beverages. Somewhere along the way in the Middle East, they even adopted a desert fox they named Mr. Waffles (because obviously that was the most tactical name available). Over the years they’ve been through a lot together—deployments, tough moments, and the kind of experiences that turn good friends into lifelong brothers. Josh often jokes that Tim has saved his life more times than he can count… and honestly, that might not even be a joke. Tim has also proven he’s the kind of friend who shows up when it matters. When Josh’s son Jake was being born, Tim stepped in and took care of Alec so Josh could be there for the big moment. These days they live on opposite sides of the country, but that hasn’t stopped them from staying close—including the time Josh flew to Alaska to spend a week visiting Tim. Josh loved it and would probably move there in a heartbeat if it weren’t for the fact that Melissa strongly prefers sunshine and temperatures that don’t require three layers and emotional resilience. Tim isn’t just Josh’s best man—he’s been his comrade, occasional voice of reason, and loyal friend for over a decade. We’re grateful he’ll be standing by Josh’s side on our big day
Heather Eckert
Bridesmaid
Melissa met Heather shortly after her family moved here in 1993, but their real best-friend era began in seventh grade. They bonded in band class and quickly discovered they shared another important interest—watching the boys play football during recess. Clearly, their priorities were well balanced. From their high school *NSYNC obsession and Blockbuster nights fueled by $5 Little Caesars pizzas, to every heartbreak, road trip, and adventure in between, Heather has been by Melissa’s side through it all. They even took their very first trip overseas together to England—an especially meaningful place for Heather, who has always had a special love for British culture (and let’s be honest, a good British accent). It’s the place she feels at home and keeps getting drawn back to. Although their early twenties (and one memorable season as roommates) taught them that adulthood can pull you in different directions, it never pulled them apart. Heather is steady, loyal, and one of the greatest gifts in Melissa’s life. Melissa is so grateful she’s standing beside her on this day—just like she always has.
Mary Ann Franz
Bridesmaid
Mary Ann and Melissa met through friends of friends. Mary Ann had just moved to the area, was living down the street, and was hoping to make some new friends—something Melissa happened to be looking for too. The two quickly bonded over dating disasters, “it’s complicated” relationships, and the ups and downs of single life. Mary Ann also gave Melissa someone to cook for, which was far better than cooking for just one. As their friendship grew, they discovered a deeper connection through their faith. Today one of the most valuable parts of their friendship is continuing to grow in that faith together—learning, asking hard questions, praying, and holding each other accountable when it’s needed. It’s the kind of friendship they both needed in their lives. When Mary Ann cares about something—or someone—she does it with passion, and no one who knows her ever doubts that they matter to her. She’s also one of the hardest working people Melissa knows and somehow always finds a way to make money doing just about anything. Many friends come and go for a season, but Mary Ann has become a lifelong friend. She also knows Josh better than most of Melissa’s friends and is often his trusted accomplice when he needs help planning surprises. She did make it very clear at one point that she expected to be a bridesmaid someday—so between that and how much we wanted her standing up there with us, having a wedding seemed like a pretty good idea.
Aurora Bican
Bridesmaid
Aurora has held a special place in Melissa’s heart from the moment she was born. Watching her grow into the incredible young woman she is today has been nothing short of surreal. Aurora seems to have an endless list of talents—every time you turn around, she’s learning something new. From a young age, she excelled in school, art class, and as a fearless soccer goalie. Melissa still remembers watching her sketch cartoon characters in just minutes with an impressive likeness to the real thing. Her musical abilities are just as remarkable. Aurora can play ten instruments and serves as the field commander of her high school’s state-championship-winning band. She also sings beautifully and performs in her school’s Broadway-style program, Encore. Never one to shy away from a challenge, Aurora has recently added high school wrestling and rugby to her long list of activities. She also loves going to church—especially spending time with her youth group. When Melissa gave her a Bible at age ten and later asked if she had been reading it, Aurora’s response was that she had already read the entire thing. Aurora has faced more challenges than most people her age, but the strength, faith, and character she shows today only make Melissa more proud to call her niece and goddaughter. She has also formed a special bond with Josh, which makes it even more meaningful to have her standing with them on their wedding day. They are so happy she is part of the celebration.
Ariella “Ella” Bican
Junior Bridesmaid
Ariella—better known to everyone as Ella—is the youngest of the bunch and full of personality. Ella has a huge heart for animals, especially cats and dogs. In fact, Lyndsey eventually had to stop taking her to PetSmart adoption events because Ella simply could not handle leaving without bringing a new pet home. The same rule often applies to stuffed animals too. Ella is a sassy little girl with a contagious giggle who isn’t afraid to speak her mind. That confidence serves her well in cheerleading, where she loves cheering with her mom, Lyndsey, as her coach. Josh and Melissa like to joke that Ella and Jake are two peas in a pod—our “Sour Patch Kids.” First they’re sour, then they’re sweet. Together they are nonstop energy, and while they can be exhausting, it’s in the very best way. We’re so happy to have Ella in the wedding, and she was definitely more excited about it than the boys were!
Felix Negron
Groomsman
Felix Negron—better known in our world simply as “Negron”—met Josh in 2018 at Fort Stewart in Georgia. Somewhere between long field training days and plenty of ammo missions, a solid friendship was formed. What started with shared Army experiences quickly turned into years of loyalty, laughter, and just the right amount of roasting. For a while, Negron even took on the very important role of being Josh’s barber—because nothing says trust like handing your friend a pair of clippers. From the field to the barracks, they’ve always kept things entertaining, constantly making fun of each other. Negron proudly refers to Josh as his “snowflake,” a title Josh has accepted with (mostly) good humor. These days, Negron lives in Florida with his wife and children, building a beautiful life while still keeping that same bond alive. No matter the miles, they’ve stayed close through regular phone calls and visits—including time spent together when Josh and Melissa were vacationing in St. Petersburg. Through years of friendship, inside jokes, and shared memories, Negron has been more than just a friend—he’s family. Josh is proud to have him standing by his side on this big day.
Kevin Stallings
Groomsman
Josh met Kevin at work when Kevin offered him a job at the Army aviation flight facility. Soon after, they started building fences and decks together as a side job, with Kevin teaching Josh the ropes. Everything they built turned out solid—surviving Hurricane Helene while many similar structures did not. At the time, both were navigating life as bitter bachelors, and they bonded over heartbreaks and life’s ups and downs. Kevin has always been the kind of friend who shows up when you need him most. Generous to a fault, Kevin is someone who will lend a hand or share what he knows without hesitation. When he’s not working or building, he can often be found collecting or shooting guns—a hobby he takes seriously. Kevin was initially skeptical about Melissa because he didn’t want to see Josh get hurt again, but now he’s fully on board and has grown to like her as much as everyone else does. Loyal, hardworking, and fiercely generous, Kevin is a friend Josh is proud to have standing beside him on this day
Alec Taylor
Junior Groomsman
Alec is Josh’s firstborn, and from the moment he arrived—though Josh was a little terrified—he changed Josh’s life for the better. Watching him grow into the person he is today has been one of his greatest joys. He’s definitely the smart one in the family (no one’s quite sure where those genes came from). Josh and Melissa often joke that one day Alec will be the one keeping them from doing dumb things when they’re old. He’s also surprisingly musical—able to sing and play the piano well without any formal lessons. Alec loves anime, video games, and is very particular about his action figures—don’t even think about messing with the setup. He’s quieter than his younger brother Jake, but that just makes his humor even better: always witty, perfectly timed, and twice as funny. He’s also a wonderful big brother. Even when they don’t always get along, Alec cares deeply about Jake and is always there for him. When first asked to be in the wedding, Alec politely declined— After some digging, they learned the reason was because he didn’t want to wear a suit and stand in front of everyone. Unfortunately for him, Josh and Melissa decided that wasn’t quite a good enough excuse, so if you see him on the big day, be sure to give him a little extra love. They are incredibly proud of him, and having him stand with them today means the world.
Jake Taylor
Junior Groomsman
Jake is Josh’s second-born son, and he’s been keeping his dad on high alert since the day he arrived. When he was born with a collapsed lung and wasn’t breathing, it was the first of many moments that showed just how tough he is. These days, Jake is the loudest and most talkative one in the family, so if you don’t know anyone at the wedding, Jake will happily keep you entertained. He loves wrestling and just about anything that involves being a reckless, wild-at-heart young boy—he’s all gas and no brakes, just like his Uncle Adam. But behind all that energy is a huge heart. Last summer, when his big brother Alec had a seizure in the middle of the night, Jake was the one who alerted the family and stayed worried about his brother for a long time afterward. He’s tough but incredibly tender-hearted—and always ready to hand out a hug. One of Jake’s favorite things to do with his dad is read books at bedtime. What started as a way to help him with reading quickly became one of their favorite traditions together. Jake also loves going to church and has a genuine heart for Jesus. Last Easter, he asked if he could visit Jesus’ grave, so Josh took him to a statue of Jesus at St. Francis Hospital. The reverence in his eyes and voice in that moment was unforgettable. Jake may be wild, loud, and full of energy—but he’s also deeply loving, thoughtful, and one of the biggest-hearted kids you’ll ever meet.
James and Gia Avilla
Flower Dude and Flower Girl
James has been part of Josh’s life for so long that he’s basically family at this point. Josh first met him in middle school when James lived in the same neighborhood where Josh’s parents still live today. Back then, James and his brother spent plenty of time at the house playing football and basketball with Josh and his brother Adam. By the time high school rolled around, James had officially joined the household, moving in with Josh’s family and staying until graduation. From that point on, he earned permanent “honorary family member” status. Right after high school, James joined the Marines, which eventually led him to California—where he met his wife, Noemi. But long before his military days, James was already known for another talent: drama. In high school he was involved in theater and developed the dramatic flair and sense of humor he’s still famous for today. Naturally, that made him the perfect choice for the very important role of Flower Dude. Of course, he won’t be stealing the show alone. James will be walking down the aisle with his adorable two-year-old daughter, Gia, who is serving as our flower girl. Gia may have inherited a little bit of her dad’s flair for drama, but she’s also incredibly sweet and impossibly cute. We figured asking a two-year-old to walk down the aisle alone was a big ask—so pairing her with her dad just made perfect sense. Together, they’re guaranteed to make one of the most memorable entrances of the day