Mirriam & Alton
Wedding Party
Rebekkah Kimani “The Kid”
Maid of Honor
Met 1993 @Community Hospital Advertising and Media Coordinator @A&E How do I know Mirriam? Well, believe it or not she was there from my very start. I think she may have wished me into the world or something. I’ve never not known her. Take that for a thought. Once we met, I kind of had this feeling that she’d always be here, by the way it checks out. She’s always been there both physically and literally. No matter what, she’s always there. That’s the kind of person she is though— loyal, caring, loving, forgiving, wise, and so much more. Biologically she’s my sister and the BEST there is, but by choice she’s my best friend. If had to pick a memory from so many, it probably be the times where we have both moved. Sitting on floors, throwing tantrums and declaring “This is too much!”
Rebekkah Kimani(CONT. from 🔝)
Maid of Honor
Or maybe the time when she was sick and she was still being selfless and strong, not wanting to inconvenience anyone. Or possibly it was the time we went to Mexico and had such a wonderful time near an ocean of perfection. Ahh or maybe I’d say something about the time we were chosen to lip sync and dance on a cruise in front of hundreds of people (they gave us the ugliest wigs). Anyway so many memories good and great. The moments that I will cherish forever I’m so glad to be a part of this special day. Xoxo, Kid
Ciara E. Mason
Matron of Honor
Met in 2004 @ the illustrious Hampton University as freshmen. They were roommates and quickly became best friends. Background: B.S. in Chemical Engineering and currently works as a Nuclear Business Agent. Fond memory: Our trip to California. We decided to take a taxi to the recording of a late night show (maybe Jimmy Kimmel). During the ride to the studio we noticed that the taxi driver seemed to be taking the long route. He didn’t appreciate our questioning because he immediately became offended and told us to get out of his van! We got out and walked the rest of the way there. Needless to say we took the public bus back to the house! LOL. Neither of us were too savvy on public transportation so that was an adventure too! We did make it home though...by Gods grace!
Dr. Brooke Lawler
Bridesmaid
Met in 2009@RU Background: BOP Psychologist I have to use a stream of consciousness technique because I have a confounding LTM consolidation issue. I know this because Mirr tested me in grad school...2nd year. I burnt those results. Ok, mine & Mirr’s story! Like with all of my closest friends, Mirr resembles a bit of a Barbie doll. If she were a Barbie she’d have to be couture Barbie who wears the most impressively high heels I’ve ever seen. I think it may be her superpower. Oh yeah I’m suppose to talk about memories. I guess that brings me to the point that Mirr & I both have the worst cases of ADHD, any person who has ever made it through grad school successfully, has had...seriously. This is crucial to our story because women with ADHD tend to be a bit more “aggressive,” if you will.
Dr. Brooke Lawler(CONT. from🔝
Bridesmaid
And we can certainly attest to that fact because all of my most enjoyable memories of Mirr & I involve countless surreptitious hours plotting the demise of those in authority who seemed to have made it their mission to remove the dead weight from the program...aka us. I don’t wont speak for Mirr (i.e., pleading the 5th is her right), but just knowing that someone will go to bat for me (i.e., use a Louisville slugger), speak on my behalf (i.e., act as my alibi), or not judge me for my skeletons (i.e., literally help me hide a body), was & is worth more than all the “I’m sorrys, it will get better soons, or I’m praying for yous” in my darkest moments. Mirr was & continues to be one of those people for me. These are my memories of us. Forever Cherished....in my STM 🤣😘.
Renee Muhammad
Bridesmaid
Met: 1987 when she was born, I’m her big cousin Background: Social Worker One of the best memories that I have happened when I was 17 and my little cousin was 8. I was going into my senior year of high school and found out that I was pregnant. When Mirriam heard, she told me that she was “DISAPPOINTED,” in me. I was shocked that she said that to me. She was always BOLD...lol. Anyway, it is one of my fondest memories because it made me realize that there were people younger than me who were paying attention to what I was doing and how I was carrying myself. It made me want to do better and be a good role model so that I could demonstrate what you are supposed to do. I finished high school and went on to get my Bachelors degree.
Dr. Hilary Pethtel
Bridesmaid
Met: 2009 @RU Background: Sex Offender Clinical Psychologist This bridesmaid has trouble coloring in the lines & so do I. Here is a smattering of our memories...”How about the time we both got into grad school too young.. or... fumbled through dating unhealthy men &.... had debilitating health issues while being stigmatized for it in a doctoral program...tried to sugar coat things for people we don’t respect...were dubbed the White Ms. K & Black Ms. P in VADOC...got side gigs for our side gigs...laughed...told em we were gonna make it anyway, then showed them....when I cried because racism & when you couldn’t even feel about it anymore...when VEGAS...when we were sassy & snarky & difficult & creative & friends from day 1, became feds & doctors together, & then eventually found husbands?”
Stephanie Tillman
Bridesmaid
Met: 2017@Go2Church Background: FSU International Students Internship Coordinator Funny memory of us together is when I came over to your house around midnight to help you move out of your apartment. You called and told me you had given up. I said that I could come help. You said that you just wanted to sleep and would pay the extra money for moving out late. I told you I was already in the car, on the way, and about 5min. from your place. We were moving for almost 3 hours. We were so delirious, at one point we were just throwing things into boxes because we were so tired.😂😂😂
Denise Walton-Collins
Bridesmaid
Cousin of the bride Background: Teacher
Lisa Beasley
Bridesmaid
Childhood friend of the bride Background: Actress, Comedian, and Entrepreneur
Davonna Edwards
Bridesmaid
Childhood friend of the bride Background: Dance teacher and Massage therapist
Jasmine Heath
Bridesmaid
Godsister of the bride
Tasha Ford
Bridesmaid
Sister of the groom
Darren DuPont
Groomsman Background: Constructional Engineer
Out of all the memories I could choose from, I can honestly say the best one was the day we met. I met my cousin through our cousin Hez approx. 7/8 years ago. Hez had mentioned him a few times...ok a lot of times, & he kept saying he wanted us to meet because we were so similar. The day finally came after a few failed attempts & I knew we had the same blood pumping. We laughed & kicked it like we had been homies forever! We think exactly the same when it comes to a lot of aspects of life which I really value. Fast forward to now, & we haven't missed a beat, from taking trips & chatting on a regular, to hearing his famous laugh! We never lost contact & I know we never will. I'm truly happy for him as he embarks on this new journey with Mrs. Ford & hope to build new memories with the two.
Jason Buchanan
Groomsman
I know God only put good people in your life, because me and Alton were in Job Corps trying to find direction in life. We found a friendship that would never be broken. Back in 1999, we were only around each other for about 6 or 7 months, but in that time, we did everything together, like brothers. I even invited him to the county to meet my mother and she STILL asks about him all the time. Here we are, 20 years later. I just want to say I love you bro! Congratulations and I wish you many many more years of happiness!
Hezekiah Ford
Groomsman
Background: Teacher A fond memory I have of cousin Alton watching him produce a mind-blowing show on "The Strategize Network" that he created. I enjoy watching people do what they love as a career. He is so into his craft that everyone he meets is newsworthy and a potential blog celebrity. Shucks, I'm still waiting on him to produce mine. Today we get to tell part of his story. Everybody has a theme song and in my opinion "Everyday I'm Hustling" is Alton's. He hurriedly graduated from TCC and FAMU with no time or money to waste. Of course FORD's new slogan is "Go Further" like Alton's life with his beautiful wife, family, friends, and potential clients.
Austin Turnquest
Groomsman
Background: Army Special Forces So I don’t have a funny story but our relationship is full of comedy!! There hasn’t been a single phone call or visit that wasn’t full of smiles and laughter. Some family members you have to hold your tongue for. Some family members you can’t be ALL the way yourself with. Alton is the cousin that I can be 100% me with, and our bond is tight as a banjo string!! If you were standing by while I was calling him “2 scoops of monkey poop”, “scoop bowl” An UGLY “Leprechaun” “magically delicious head” you would probably think we were about to fight but it’s always Love!!
Godson Ryder
Best Man
My memory is about when Alton left to join the navy. He sent me a letter saying how much he loved me, how the world is going to be a hard place, told me that I can do whatever I put my mind to if i just apply myself, and encouraged me not to let my peers steer me off course. He has always been there for me whenever I needed him from a child to a grown man and he is still there for me. Having my brother be there when I had my first son was another great moment in my life and a memory that I will never forget.
Frank Bowden
Best Man
There are many stories that I could tell, but for the sake of Mirriam walking down that aisle I will take those to the grave. I met Ford in Jacksonville, FL, in 2001, on the Naval Air Station base. I walked into the squadron where we were both assigned to the 1st LT office. He was sitting in front of the computer checking his email. I out ranked him at the time so I yelled out, “Where’s the mail yo”? He jumped up from his seat & immediately got me the mail. As I looked through the stack of mail I was thinking to myself this dude is a borderline midget. A.L. then began to tell me where he was from & he wouldn’t stop talking! We found out that we were both from FL & shared a similar upbringing. Later that day I introduced him to the other black sailors & we all went out to the local club.
Frank Bowden (CONT. from 🔝)
Groomsman
I couldn’t get rid of him. He was always there. After that, our friendship grew from shipmates to family. The saying is true that “blood couldn’t make us any closer.” Over the years he has shown his loyalty, honesty, & dependability. He’s truly a brother. He has been there to listen, give words of encouragement, & words to let me know when I was being less of a man. I can honestly say you are a true friend & I’m proud of the man you have become. You never know the character of a person until they have to navigate extreme consequences. Most collapse but you stayed 10 toes down as usual & I appreciate you for that. May the next 20 years of friendship bring us both success, love (you got that one in Mirriam), & a legacy to leave behind. Love you bro!
Dibias Livingston
Groomsman
I am not sure if it is a memory, but it is something I’m often reminded of by Alton and the rest of my family. There’s a tunnel my parents bought when I was around one years old and apparently I refused to climb through it. But, following my big cousin’s every move, they had Alton climb through it and that’s all it took. I followed him through and then had the confidence to climb through on my own. 😂
Demetrius French
Groomsman
Alton and I lived in the same apartment complex. One night, me, him, and some other friends went out to celebrate my birthday. We were doing karaoke and for some reason, some guys who were already there became belligerent in an attempt to fight us. It seemed that everyone was fighting. All of my friends made it out of the chaos and into the parking lot, but somehow I managed to be the last one. Everyone jumped in their cars and forgot about me, the birthday boy. Once we got into the parking lot, we saw that one of the guys had gone outside to get a gun. He started shooting, but Alton came back for me and made sure that I was safe. He drove over. I jumped in the car and we drove off. After that, I knew that we would always be great friends.