Racquel & Stu
Wedding Party
Roxanne Redwood
Maid of Honor
I met Racquel when she was about 6 years old. When I opened my eyes it was love at first cry. I was a little shy at first and didnât know what to say. However, she continued to talk to me with a smile from ear to ear. It wasnât until about 6 years later we would laugh and talk all the time. Sheâs been my teammate, sleepover buddy, best friend, & if you havenât guessed it yet my sister. Twenty plus years later our friendship hasnât wavered.
Adam Birkle
Best Man
Stu and I met in high school and soon started working out at the local YMCA together. We both have a bond over fitness that has carried us through our friendship over the years. We were roommates at Ohio University together. After living out of state for a few years I moved back to Cincinnati and now even our dogs are friends.
Atilah Claiborne
Bridesmaid
I met Racquel in the 2nd grade at WT Brown elementary school in Fayetteville, NC. Little did I know she would be my best friend for the rest of my life. From making up dances to Britney Spears, *NSYNC, and Destinyâs Child songs, to doing pageants and theatre productions together, to literally writing, producing and filming our own movie in the 5th grade, we practically grew up together. Iâm truly proud of the woman sheâs become and forever grateful of the impact and influence sheâs had in my life. Sheâs supported me through countless milestones and Iâm excited to return the favor after 25 years of friendship.
Matt Couch
Groomsman
I met Stu at Fit Works when I moved down to Cincinnati in 2013 and Stu was one of my first friends I met in Cincinnati. We found out we lived close to each other in Hyde Park and had great times there especially walking to RP McMurphyâs every Wednesday for mug night. Weâve had many other great memories over the past decade since and we consider each other to be best friends.
Stephanie Dapper
Bridesmaid
I met Racquel through Stu of course! A few years later, after one of my many breakups, when she was living in Cali and they were doing long distance, she invited me out to visit her. Weâd never spent that much time together without Stu around but by the end of the trip I very much thought of her as my good friend rather than my brotherâs girlfriend. I needed that girls weekend so badly and Iâll forever be grateful to her for the invitation and the memories we created. At my birthday party a few months later she said to me âI like you, Stephâ, and I remember thinking FINALLY. Theyâd been dating for at least 3 years at that point. đ
Eric Kleespies
Groomsman
Stu and I met at the YMCA gym around 2012. At first, it was just small talk, but our relationship became serious quickly. We moved in together soon after. Stu and my main hobbies while living together were causing mayhem for the Hyde Park/Mt Lookout community.
Sarah Djebli
Bridesmaid
I met Racquel in Cincinnati in 2017 when we both found out we were moving to the west coast (Fun fact: this was around the time Racquel & Stu started dating!). We were both looking for a roommate so we went out on a "roommate finding date" (my first one!) at a German restaurant downtown. It was a success! And so began our California adventures - renaissance faires, foodie experiences, game nights, workouts, brainstorming sessions - from roommates to the best of friends đ I can't wait to celebrate Racquel & Stu's special day.
Aaron Brown
Groomsman
Stu and I met in 2017 at Fitworks in Norwood. I originally mistook him for a bartender I had met in Over the Rhine. As it turned out, he was way more interested in fitness and bodybuilding than serving drinks. After a few months, Stu and I began working out together daily. Not only did he put me in the best shape of my life, he became a good friend.
Brooke Donelson
Bridesmaid
Brooke is my name, and engineering is our thang. We met in the engineering summer program called E3, when we were both Bearcat newbies. I was drawn to Racquelâs adventurous personality, and was very happy to meet another friendly and driven smarty. Our friendship grew during the 3 times we were roommates, and made memories celebrating life events, traveling, and dancing the night away. Even though we now live several miles apart, I canât wait to be by Racquelâs side to give her next chapter (marriage) a fun start!
Destiny Hilliard-Thomas
Bridesmaid
Racquel aka Ro(backwards k)c and I met sophomore year at Allentown High School. We were 15 years old. I was a new student and only knew about 2 or 3 students there prior to starting there. One of the people I knew was friends with Racquel and we connected immediately. We were on the Dance Team together and spent most lunch periods together and after school. It went from there to sleepovers to out of state visits in college to adults and here we are 17 years later, still connected and still having sleepovers whenever we visit each other. I love her and am so proud and there's nothing she can do about it. đ
Cristi Rader
Bridesmaid
Racquel and I were gymnasts together at Omega! She is truly my life long friend, literally. We were eight when we did gymnastics together and the Redwood family moved to Jersey when we were in middle school. Yes, we were friends at the most awkward stage of our lives! The pictures are amazing but for another time. I was lucky enough to rekindle a friendship with Racquel right before I had my daughter. We connected on Facebook back in 2012 and made plans to move to London. They were loose plans but none the less we talked about it. She was serious, yâall know her. I then had my daughter in 2013 and she reached out saying she was going to make a trip down to Charlotte. It was amazing!! We have been one anotherâs support, ambassador, motivator, confidant since then. Near or far, we remain connected. Iâm sooooo blessed to call her my friend!
Kizia Green
Bridesmaid
Let me set the scene. It was 2008, Cincinnati, Ohio at the University of Cincinnati. We lived in the Calhoun dorms and I was her next-door neighbor. First impression - She would always have her door open so my dorm mate introduced us. Canât say she liked me from first impression but given that she was one of the only black girls on my floor, I was determined to make her friend. With the help of Vanessa, we constantly inserted ourselves into her space until she had no choice, but to succumb to our friendly gestures. The rest is history đ€Ł
Vanessa Wells
Bridesmaid
I met Racquel in 2007 in our freshmen dorm (Calhoun) at the University of Cincinnati. We lived on the same floor and she was my first friend that I met in college. She first introduced me to Kizia and we formed âThe Goof Troopâ and she later introduced me to Brittany and the four of us became the âGirrsâ. Over the years Racquel and I have remained intuitively connected and leaned on each other in our times of need. I love Racquel and I am happy to be there for her during this chapter of her journey!
Brittany Williams
Bridesmaid
I met Racquel the summer of 2007 when we were suitemates for the UC E3 Summer Bridge Program. We connected during the program and became close friends throughout college and ever after. Weâve gone from being roommates, to Biomedical Engineering classmates, to restaurant buddies, to line sisters, to domestic and international travel partners, to real life Human Factors Engineers doing the very same job in the very same industry. Through the different twists and turns in life, weâve stayed by each otherâs side. I love Racquel and Iâm so excited to support her on this big event!