May 4, 2019

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

#RachelAndHowardForever

Rachel & Howard

Our Story

Wedding Party

Rebekah Pinkerton

Maid of Honor

From the moment sweet Rebekah was born, I knew she was a kindred spirit. After all, she had brown hair, hazel eyes, and her name started with an R - just like mine. And to a four-and-a-half year old, that’s the definition of an identical twin! Although time quickly proved we were not quite identical, marvelous other similarities manifested. We now are convinced we are fraternal twins, separated by an extended gestation. To this day, we frequently experience twin moments, including communicating telepathically, detecting intentionally hidden thoughts by interpreting subtle facial expressions, etc. Most importantly, Rebekah and I share one heart for the Lord, and she continually inspires me to walk more faithfully in the power of Christ by her sweet, humble, beautiful, powerful example.

Sarah Henkoski

Matron of Honor

From archenemies growing up, to besties as teenagers and adults, time spent with her never fails to remind me what a miracle God’s Love is and how perfectly He is able to restore and beautify even the most broken of relationships. There was a time we thought we could never be friends, much less best friends, but now with the fullest heart I can say that she is truly one of my very, very most trusted, faithful, loving companions! She has a heart I can always depend on to listen, love, and care, no matter what. And I wouldn’t trade her for the world. Oh how God blessed me when He gave me Sarah! She is one of the most giving, selfless, dedicated people I know, and I am so blessed to call her sister and sweetest friend and have her near my side on this most special day!!

Esther Pinkerton

Maid of Honor

Esther Bester, my sweet little Esther!! She is one of the kindest, most gracious, forgiving young ladies I have ever met in my life! If she isn’t smiling, it’s because her heart is breaking with loving care and compassion over a friend, generally human, but also sometimes the furry kind. In the last year with my other sisters out of the house, she has become one of my closest, dearest confidants. She always knows how to bring comfort to my hurting heart or a smile to my weary face. She is so diligent in her studies, ambitious in her pursuits, and yet so quick to help with every need around her, big or small. She offers more words of generous praise and expressions of gushy thankfulness than anyone I know, and yet it is as genuine as it gets. Oh the life she brings to my world!!

Amy Pinkerton

Bridesmaid

What a gem of a sister dearest Amy is! From the first time I met her, she felt like one of the family. Not only did her height fit right in to the middle of us, but also her zest for life, love for Jesus, and fun loving personality connected us so deeply. The month before she married my brother, she and I were roommates, and oh the sweet sister talks we shared in that wonderfully emotional and special time. The way she faithfully, wholeheartedly, unconditionally loves her husband inspires me daily to love Howard in the same Christ-like way, and I’m so thankful to have that example in someone so near and dear to my heart. She has been such a precious, faithful friend and sister, and it is such an honor to have her stand with me on this most memorable day of my life!

Brinna Pinkerton

Bridesmaid

Brinna came in to our family like a flash of lightning and, goodness me, she is the loveliest flash of lightning I’ve ever seen, inside and out! She has such a single focus for the Kingdom of God and for truth, and is as sweetly honest as a person comes. Talks with her about anything related to Jesus and seeing His hand in every little part of our lives are my favorite, because she sees Him work continually and marvelously, and her passion for Christ, His Word, and for sincere life in Him is contagious. The way she loves on lost and broken people, on horses, and especially on her very blessed husband, reminds me of how Jesus loves - without partiality and without hypocrisy. What an honor to have her near my side during this most miraculous time of my life!

Katelyn Osborn

Bridesmaid

Katelyn is that friend that looks me straight in the eye and, with all the love in the world, tells me exactly like it is. And it’s with so much care and kindness, I just can’t help but smile the biggest smile (at least on the inside), because what better kind of friend can you have than one that’s that real and unmistakably loving all at the same time! From a friendship that started with timid hello’s and one-word answers to awkward questions, to one that is effortlessly deep, genuine, and enduring, our friendship is marked by a constancy and faithfulness I wouldn’t trade for the world! Loyal, trustworthy, generous, kind, and joyful, Katelyn’s friendship is a continual blessing and one that I know is for a lifetime. It’s the greatest blessing to have her stand with me this special day!

Rosetta Patterson

Bridesmaid

My long-distance childhood best friend from the time we were 10 and 11 years old, Rosetta holds such a nostalgically special place in my heart! I have wonderfully precious, hope chest memories of writing the deepest feelings and emotions of my little heart out in epistles sent through the post. And sharing my heart with the moon, hoping it might reflect my message back to her so many, many miles away. And delighting over finding that she left something important soon after her loathe-some departure, so she would “just have” to come back and get it, giving me a few last moments to smile at her winsome, angelic face. Now, over a decade later, I am still blessed to have such a precious bosom-friend in her! And one whose life shines Jesus in one of the most beautiful ways I’ve ever seen!

Alyssa Gaul

Bridesmaid

I am not sure I have ever cried so many tears of thankfulness for a friend, as I have for Alyssa. There are so many things about our story that could have torn us apart. So many reasons that it might have seemed easier for her to forget about me or distance herself. But the harder the circumstances, the more faithfully she loved me. The busier with life I became, the more she treasured me in her heart. And every time I saw her, no matter how long it had been since the last time, the more love I felt from her...the sweeter and deeper her letters to me were...the more I knew I had a friend who would never let me go! Alyssa is the friend that never failed to believe the best, even when it would have been so easy not to: a picture of Christ’s love in a way I will cherish forever.

Maria Rognaldson

Bridesmaid

The sun never smiles quite as bright as Maria does. Indeed, the brightness in her eyes has lifted my spirits many a time since the day we met so many years ago. Though suffering the loss of her home, possessions & community through a terribly destructive tornado, (which sent them across several states to start a new life in a startlingly different environment), Maria entered the difficult season with faith, thankfulness, & kindness. She constantly reached out to others in their need, while finding refuge for her own heartaches in the tender arms of Christ. Her friendship has been marked by such constancy, maturity, & boundless love of the deepest kind. I have learned so much from her example of leaning fully on the strength of Christ, & I rejoice for the continual smile of her friendship.

McKenna Smith

Bridesmaid

The first year McKenna and I began getting to know each other was sadly marked by me making a terrible mess of our friendship. In His grace, the Lord humbled me and brought me to repentance, and then the most beautiful miracle happened. Not only did God restore the brokenness between us, but also He gave us both such an overwhelming love for each other, that our friendship grew to be one of the most trusting, vulnerable, grace-filled friendships I've ever known. McKenna has such a precious heart for the Lord, which I’ve seen her demonstrate faithfully day after day through terribly difficult health challenges. The way she loves on people in the midst of her own pain is a continual encouragement to my heart, and it is an unspeakable honor to have her stand with me this most special day!

Kiersti Osborn

Bridesmaid

While Kiersti is truly one of the most naturally gifted young ladies I’ve ever met, she is also about the most down-to-earth, humble, sweet person I know. I have been so deeply blessed by how tenderly she cares for my heart, and how she has been there to walk through some of my hardest seasons with me and allowed me to walk through some of her hardest seasons with her. Though she is so much younger than I am, Kiersti is the friend I can always depend on for advice that is grounded in Truth and led by the Spirit of God. Her desire for intimate relationship with Jesus is evident in everything she does, and the joy that continually exudes from her, even in the hardest times, is a testament to the depth of that relationship. Oh what an honor it is to have her stand with me this special day!

Lindy Osborn

Bridesmaid

When I look into Lindy's eyes, it is like looking into a sea of gentleness, beauty, and sweetness of the purest kind. The mere thought of her brings an instant smile of thankfulness to my face and makes my heart dance with all the dreamy happiness an angel of kindness like her is bound to inspire. Even though in her personality it is naturally more difficult for her to express thoughts, feelings, and desires hidden down deep in that precious heart of hers, I have been so blessed as she has labored diligently to share deeply and vulnerably and allow our friendship to grow in so much trust, affection, and beauty. Her maturity in her walk with Christ is a continual blessing to me, and it is the greatest privilege to have such a precious young woman stand with me on this special day!

Katherine Koplin

Bridesmaid

Katherine is a friend of only 2 months, but in that time the Lord has done so many incredible, impossible, breathtaking miracles through our friendship, that I might as well have known her my whole life. Oh the tears we've shared of unspeakable joy; oh the laughter we've shared over His marvelous works; oh the love we've shared that our gracious Father pours into our hearts for each other! From the outside, one would hardly think we're similar. Katherine is tall, blond, and blue-eyed, and I am none of those. Yet she is such a kindred spirit, and I have been so wonderfully blessed by the uncanny ways the Lord has used her to so marvelously beautify my life. She has been an undeserved blessing of the rarest kind, and it’s the sweetest blessing to have her stand with me on this special day!

Amanda Dreier

Candle Lighter

Amanda is a ray of sunshine in my life! We first met under unique circumstances that caused us to dig deep exceedingly fast. At the time, she was 13 and I was 20, and I was amazed at how she opened up her heart so fully and vulnerably to me, who at the time was a complete stranger to her. Watching her grow from that day until now into the beautiful, mature, godly young woman she has become gives my heart such joy and thankfulness of the deepest kind! Her pure desire for the Lord and for righteousness has inspired my walk, as I have watched her walk through incredibly difficult trials with so much faith and trust in God’s perfect love and tender care for her. She is a young woman I so deeply, deeply respect, and it is such an honor to have her be a special part of this marvelous day!

Janae Osborn

Candle Lighter

One day I was sitting in church and noticing. And as I was noticing, my eyes settled on this beautiful, radiant young girl with long, curly hair. There was such sweetness in her smile. The brightest sparkle in her eyes. And even though I didn’t know her yet, I loved her. I had a sister just older than me that Jesus took to heaven. Her name was Ardenia Jane. And as I got to know Janae, I realized she was exactly how I imagined my Ardenia would have been all grown up. She even looked similar to what I imagined. I was recently going through my old letters and found a stack of the most open, honest, precious letters from Janae. My eyes filled with tears of thankfulness because in her youth and innocence she has blessed me so much more than words can say. Her love for Jesus. Her love. Her.

Elisa Osborn

Candle Lighter

Elisa is quiet, but oh so deep. So thoughtful. So kind. So joyful. I think more often than not when I find her, her nose is buried in a book, which reminds me of myself at her age, because that was me, too: quiet, but oh so reflective. Recently, we went on a special date and I was so blessed by her heart. Her deep trust in her Heavenly Father is so beautiful to see. So rare in one so young, but so precious!! She endured heartbreak beyond what I’ve ever known, and yet in talking about it, she smiled with gratefulness. She looked forward with hope. And she rested in trust. And she continues to. Oh to have the faith of a little child... She is such a gem of a young lady, and it is a privilege to have her play a special part in our wedding!

Faith Osborn

Candle Lighter

Faith... she has the biggest little heart. The funniest little comments. The most adorable little smile. She is just plain adorable all around, in fact. Every time I think about her, my heart smiles so big, because she is just the cutest bundle of joy and love and laughter you could hope to meet! One of my favorite memories of her is her brown clothes story. Faith’s favorite color to wear was brown. She wore it every day. Like every day. Finally her sister said if she could go an entire day without wearing anything brown, she would give her some money. And this is the funniest part: she didn’t make it! 😱 She almost did, but then she had to go to an appt. So she grabbed a sweater on her way out the door. It was brown. Oh it makes me so happy to have this treasure be in our wedding!