Wedding Party
Megan Rogers
Matron of Honor
Megan and I have been best friends for our entire lives and we always said we'd be each other's maids of honor. After her wedding last Spring, I am more than happy to uphold my end of the deal!
Chelsea Shaffer
Matron of Honor
Big sister #1, and one of my first friends and playmates. Letting me live with her through my first big-girl job, Thornton's deployment and beginning life as an "adult" (whatever that means) means more to me than I could ever say. So happy she'll once again be standing by my side for this next big step.
Sarah Blackman
Matron of Honor
Big sister #2, and the silly middle to the Weeks' sisters trio. Sarah was the first of us to trade out our last name for love and giving my Maid of Honor speech at her wedding was my first experience in public speaking and solidified my hatred for it. Now she gets to return the favor (no matter what she says).
Bethany Back
Bridesmaid
Through a convoluted set of circumstances, I can effectively credit Bethany (and her husband Aaron) with introducing me to my Thornton. Aaron was a college friend of my sisters, who then introduced me to his girlfriend (Bethany), who then became mine and Megan's college roommate. When she and Aaron tied the knot on that sweltering Saturday in June, their wedding became the platform for my future with the cute groomsmen I spent the entire weekend shamelessly flirting with (Thornton). Our day wouldn't be complete without the sweet couple who brought us together.
Rachel Myers
Bridesmaid
My forever nursing buddy and sarcastic counterpart, Rachel and I share a name and the memories of blood, sweat and many (many, many) tears struggling through nursing school together. She was a patient ear to my angst/uncertainty those first few months with Thornton and its only fitting she see's us through to the finish line.
Kameron Masters
Bridesmaid
Kameron is one of my oldest friends, going way back to our days in Southside Baptist Church nursery, GA's and youth group together. And her monsoon wedding was some of the most fun I've ever had as part of a wedding party! She was the gentle presence that led me to the Lord when we were 14 and now, years later, she's a friend that makes me feels like I'm coming home.
Andrew Ray
Best Man (Brother of the Groom)
Andrew is my brother. Being a brother means different things to many people, but for him and I, it represents someone who understands where the other comes from. While living at home, we experienced life in Italy, growing up in Chester, and fun family trips to Arkansas. Since leaving home, we grew to value and appreciate more of each other's views and company. So considering all that, it's only fitting that he shares this special day with me as my Best Man.
Chris Sloan
Groomsman
I randomly met Chris (aka Sloan) when we sat together in my first business class. Since then, we've been roommates, took a death march in Montreal, had an epic road trip in Iceland, and experienced one miserable New Years Eve in NYC. I can't forget the conversations about life either, those are some of the best. Standing next to me on my wedding day is one more thing on the list of our friendship.
Will Mackey
Groomsman
We met in Washington state and discovered our pasts and futures were the same: both military brats who lived overseas, finance majors who don't like finance, medical service corps officers, and being stationed in New York. Yet, our personalities could hardly be more different: he hates to read and I have more books than anything else, he loves hard rock and I tolerate it at best, and I enjoy a quiet night at home and he loves to go out and have fun. Somehow we've enjoyed being around each other and escorted one another out of our comfort zones. I guess the saying is true, opposites really do attract.
Taylor Weeks
Groomsman (Brother of the Bride)
Taylor and I's relationship, albeit short compared to my other groomsmen, is not without its stories. My first Beach Week with the Weeks clan was highlighted by a certain Army vehicle breaking down. Taylor and I answered the call to grab the necessary tools and rush back to fix the truck and save the day. The latest adventure involved saving the Magic Kingdom from the plots of Disney villains. At this pace, him and I will solve the world's problems in no time.
Aaron Back
Groomsman
Outside of my brother, Aaron is my oldest friend. For twenty years, our friendship has been filled with camp outs, video games, worship services, treks in the snow, pokemon battles, home movies, a misguided attempt at a rock band, long conversations about religion and girls, and more. The picture of us demonstrates the interconnectedness of our lives. His friends became my friends and my friends became his. Oh, and it was at his wedding that I met Rachel :)
Brandon Baldwin
Groomsman
Brandon has been my confidant and running partner for years. He's been one who has helped me to think beyond myself and expand my ideas. For example, when I came to him with the idea of running 21 miles for my 21st birthday he upped-the-ante and challenged me to turn it into a fundraiser which led to us raising over $2,500 for a local kid's sports program. There have been many times I have come to him with personal struggles, usually of a professional or romantic sort, and he provided plenty of wisdom. I look forward to sharing him with Rachel as we learn from his and Hannah's marriage.
Eric Robinson
Honorary Groomsmen
Eric is one of those friends that you don't remember when you exactly met or when you officially moved from acquaintances to friendship, but over shared experiences and conversations big and small he has become a valuable friend. We share stories of our experiences in Afghanistan, tease each other about our fantasy football teams, I teach him about the military and he teaches me about everything else.