Wedding Party
Gerry Avila
Officiant
When deciding who we wanted to officiate the wedding, Gerry stood out. Often passing out baby Jesus's wherever he goes, it was like the role was made for him. In all seriousness, Gerry is the perfect person for this role. He is observant and mindful, he is contemplative and thoughtful. Gerry is also outspoken, fun, and a casual instigator...and we knew he would thrive in the officiant spotlight. Aside from that, Gerry and his wife Alejandra were in fact on our very first "date." And I say "date" because if you know our story, you know that we both went into that date playing it cool and considering perhaps a friends ski trip. With caution thrown to the wind, Natalie and Greg spent their first date at Mammoth with Gerry and Alejandra, where they have continued to visit as avid snowboarders, and one skier, multiple times since that day. Gerry has known us before we were really even an us. We knew with his eloquent speaking skills and his participation in our journey he would be the perfect choice.
Samantha Ruffe
Sister of Honor
My ride or die since day one. I have not lived a day of my life without her, me being the younger sister, so I could not imagine a day of such importance without her by my side. Sam has been with me through my sassy attitude as a kid and my teammate in building forts or rigged traps for our dad, to my favorite gym rat buddy and support system now, she's my twin for life. If you know me, you know her. Or if you know her, you know me. We may be separated by 18 months, and now a few thousand miles, but we are twinsies through and through. I admire her strength and her ferocity in all that she takes on. She is a Psychiatrist for the Air Force as a single mama and will never back down from a challenge...so don't tempt her with a good time on the dance floor. She also has the two most amazing kiddos, Arya and Robert, who are also here to help us celebrate - though I let them fly under the radar because as pre-teens they did not seem too interested in any major role (haha). So cheers to my sister and my twin, I can't wait to freak out about my hair the morning of the wedding with you, just like high school days.
Samantha Sorce
Bestie of Honor
Sam is my firecracker bestie. Full of sass and spice, she keeps life interesting. Sam and I met in grad school, and sat next to each other for an entire year before we became friends. It was through our research thesis that the world pushed us together, and thank goodness it did. My bestie is always down for a good time and good times we have had. Road trips, girls trips, holidays, and major life events, we have welcomed some of life's greatest milestones together. Including welcoming the newest addition to our girl gang, little girl Lenni born almost a year ago to date. In true bestie form, we've been through highs and lows together, through busy and calm seasons, and we've always managed to find each other and remain constant. She may be spicy, but she balances it well with a cool, calm, and organized demeanor, often bringing much needed structure to my otherwise chaotic moments. Sam is a friend anyone would be lucky to have in their life, and I so greatly cherish that she is not just that, but a bestie in mine. See you on the dance floor girl, can't wait to run it back.
Emily Hauser
Childhood Bestie of Honor
Emily's true title holds a significance that only her and I know. Not many people are fortunate enough to have a best friend for life, and in Emily I have found that. We met at the most unfortunate time in life...middle school. And if that doesn't cement a friendship, I'm not sure what else does. While we met in middle school, during some of the most awkward years in existence, we decided we were still cool enough to become friends in high school. It was somewhere between marching band and woodshop class that we bonded over bass drums and cravings for hot dogs whilst working with power tools that this friendship blossomed. Inseparable in high school, and college roomies at University of Oregon, Emily has seen me through some of my potentially worst and most embarrassing moments, and she loves me always. I feel the same towards her. We've traveled the world together and experienced heartbreak. She is the most loyal person I know and has the biggest heart with a spirit for adventure. I love these qualities about her and she holds me accountable to these traits as well. Life has a funny way of creating distance, especially with time, yet despite all these years, she remains and I know will continue to remain, my best friend for lifeeee, no matter how many more awkward phases we go through ;)
Shia
Steals the Show
Shia has been with Natalie for over 10 years, and now she finally gets a Dad!! She's an important member of our family and has fully embraced Greg as her own, and Greg fully spoils her like her "little mamas" that she is. It was never a question if she would be included in our day, the only question that remains, is how much does she steal the show?
Steven Valdez
Groom
From the hillsides of Glendora to the mountaintops of Colorado, Steven and I have been stuck like glue—though little did he know, he never really had a choice. Steven is the kind of person you want in your inner circle: cool, calm, and collected, with a solid and positive compass guiding him. We grew up together starting in middle school and stayed close even after he moved to Colorado. Of course, us Cali boys had to visit and plan snowboarding trips to some of the best mountains in Colorado, making some of the best memories on those trips with the rest of the Donnys (Mike Sousa and Kai Chang, who are also here at the wedding). Over the years and across thousands of miles, Steven and I have managed to stay in touch, making those calls just to see how each other is doing and what we’re up to. I’m lucky to have a friend like Steven standing up there with us on the big day.
Ryan Summers
Groom
Summertime, Ryan and I had been in similar friend groups since middle school, but we truly became good friends in high school. From getting dropped off at the movies in La Verne by our parents, to running around in the Green Machine (a ’78 Jimmy), to racing to grab ham and cheese sandwiches and donuts before school, or heading up GMR with friends, we made a lot of great memories. We’ve watched each other grow up over the years, whether it was giving advice or just checking in to see how the other was doing. I was honored when Ryan asked me to be part of his big day, and I’m just as excited that he’ll be standing up there with me on mine.
Cody Stoufer
Groom
Do not be alarmed if you hear a contagious, uncontrollable laugh that sounds like a dolphin this weekend. That would be the man, the myth, the legend, Cody Stoufer — or “Toad,” as some of us like to call him. I first met Cody through a great friend of mine, Brandon Haering, who is also here this weekend. After getting to know Cody’s get-after-it attitude and his kind heart, we started to become great friends. We shared plenty of laughs, trips, bachelor parties, good talks and a few tears, making the last decade fly by with some amazing memories. Having Cody here with me today means a lot, and I’m grateful for the friendship we’ve built over the years and proud to call him one of my groomsmen.
Tyler Davidson
Groom
Ty has gone from being an acquaintance, to a friend, to a roommate, and now someone I consider a brother from another mother — or at least the brother I never had. We started getting closer shortly after high school ended. With our big group of friends, we spent a lot of time going to festivals, camping, and getting into all kinds of adventures together. In fact, many of those same friends are here today. Ty has always been electric — funny, full of energy, and up for anything. He’s helped me navigate some big decisions in my life and has always been there with advice whenever I needed it, just like I’ve tried to be there for him. No matter how much time passes, we both know we can pick up the phone and call each other anytime. Over the years, we’ve had the chance to watch each other grow from young guys trying to figure life out into the men we are today, and I’m proud of the people we’ve become.