Wedding Party
Molly Rutherford
Maid of Honor
My sister, what can I say? We didn't grow up in the same home but we seem to have grown into the same heart. She's one of the sweetest people I've ever met and she always goes above and beyond for others. This woman runs a farm, raises two wild little boys, is pursuing her teaching degree AND works at an elementary school as an aide. She does this all while keeping her house together while her husband travels for weeks at a time to the oil fields for work. And somehow she has time to help me plan this wedding. She's superwoman, there's no other way to put it. I'm in absolute awe of her abilities to juggle it all and she does it with a smile and more grace than I can fathom. I could not do any of this without you Molly.
Kaitlyn Patterson
Bridesmaid
My gorgeous cousin Kaitlyn. I had the honor of being a bridesmaid in her wedding earlier this year and now I'm so happy that she get's to be a part of my big day too! Living in California now, she's previously lived in Nevada and Arizona so we don't get to see each other as much as we did growing up. I suppose that's the truth for everybody once you're an adult but it always feels like we never skipped a beat. She may be younger but I've always looked up to her- she's brilliant, talented, and a total boss working in a male dominated field (Did you know she helps build submarines?! What!!) Not just a cousin or a role model, but a true friend. I truly wouldn't feel like my day would be complete without her! And honorable mention because this bears saying; I know she and I will both be missing her sister Briana on this day too. She's busy being an amazing Pediatric Oncologist at UCLA. (Yeah... Patterson women don't play!) Briana, Kaitlyn and I grew up almost like sisters (well... they ARE sisters but you catch me) and my heart will be heavy missing Bri but she will be on our hearts and minds and she's out there saving sick kids from cancer. I can't imagine a better reason to miss a wedding.
Kayleah Carrega
Bridesmaid
Kayleah... One of my closest friends of all time and the only surviving friendship spanning all the way back to.. is it kindergarten?! Have we really known each other for 31 years? From performing monologues impromptu at the Tyler Mall to daring each other to kiss pictures of Noah Wyle at sleepovers to reenacting WWE in your living room when we were 10 years old.. You're one of the few people throughout all of my life I've ever felt I could be my genuine strange self with. I've never felt like a weirdo with you, I've never felt like I had to pretend to be anything but authentic with you and that's been a greater gift to me than I think you know. Traveling back to California for your wedding just a few short years ago truly reinvigorated my spirit. I came back to Texas feeling for the first time in a decade like ME. Kayleah, you're honestly the inspiration to the changes I made in my life when I came back. I just stopped caring what others thought and decided to be goofy, to be silly again, to make jokes and observations and stop worrying if others would think I was "cringe". And honestly I attribute that directly to my meeting, dating, and now soon marrying Ray. When I met him I decided going into it that if my childhood best friends could love me, I would love me too. And therefore I refused to be anything but authentic with Ray and would you look at it, it actually worked! So whether you knew it or not, we're here doing this partially because of you. Thank you Kayleah.
Jordan Fisher
Bridesmaid
Jordan and I may not have known each other for long however it's not always the length but the depth. This woman kept me sane during nursing school which is a feat in and of itself. Her dry humor and quick wit kept me laughing through some of the darkest times of my life and well... I guess you could say we got REAL close and personal when she was accidentally thrust into the role of birthing coach when I gave birth to my sweet surrogate baby. With four kids of her own and a husband, all she saw was that her friend was in need and she stayed with me. That meant more to me than she probably even realized at the time. Through insane exam schedules, fertility treatments for a surrogacy, studying for the NCLEX and navigating through immense heartbreak, Jordan has walked by me and I am so grateful she will be standing up with me as I join my life with Ray. Thank you Jordan for once AGAIN stepping up despite how much you've got going on in your own life and supporting me through yet another major life change. After this we gotta stop having major life changes yeah? Agreed?
Stephanie Pecaro
Bridal Attendant/Superhero
Stephanie! One of my newest blossoming friendships. I'm grateful that though we have not known each other long, you wanted to be a part of this special day for me. We met as hospice nurses- actually we met in person for the first time literally attending a death together. But like a Corpse flower, sometimes beautiful things grow in death and darkness. You taught me so much about this job and beyond that, about myself. It's rare you meet someone and just totally click with and feel safe with. At least that's rare for me. You make me feel safe and I am so happy you'll be there on the big day to keep my sanity intact yet again.
