Raquel & Cody
Our People
Shaam
Best Man / Mover / Officiator Extraordinaire
Shaam met Raquel & Cody while working at the SRWC in the IT department. Raquel recalls needing Shaam's IT services while Cody and Shaam bonded over their knowledge of said things, but the love grew slowly as Cody wasn't sure if Shaam liked him. As you may have noticed from the intro story, he has been a close friend to Cody & Raquel since the beginning. He too was involved in the KSU shenanigans. He witnessed the time we almost adopted a kitten, and also the great CA Mid State Fair of 2019. He was even there to celebrate Robert's high school graduation and 21st birthday. Point is, he's supported us both individually and together over the years. He may be super tall but he's truly a giant softy. We love him more than he loves cats, Euro Gyro, & driving fast-- combined.
Rachie
Best Woman
"Raq & Rach" met as freshmen at Roosevelt High. They quickly bonded when their schedules were almost identical and teachers began confusing their similar names. This has transcended through the years as when people pronounce Raquel as Rachel, a story is shared about the confusion in Spanish class given Raquel is Spanish for Rachel, and they always sat near. It also serves as an anecdote when people say "oh Raquel like Raquel Welch" because Rach's last name is Welch...you get the picture. They were destined to be connected. Through the years, getting lost in foreign lands is their specialty. It cannot be understated that as noted in the intro, Rach was first to use the word "marry" in reference to Cody. Given she proposed in 2013, she will remain Raq's person regardless of nuptials- ilysm
Amanda
Bridesmaid
Amanda is Raquel's cousin. They used to sled down the front campus hill over yonder from the ceremony location. They also used to get into all sorts of mischief during annual visits to OH/GA growing up, including playing pranks on little Ty. Cousins are built-in friends; grateful you're mine!
Robert
Bridesman
Robert is Raquel's lil bro. Oh, to be 21 again! He truly needs no introduction. Have you seen how handsome he is? He's also an incredibly kind soul. Robert was tasked with driving the massive moving truck from CA to WA (with the help of our dad), and did so without complaint, in one day, because we don't do things in moderation in this household. When Cody first met Robert (2014), he was essentially an infant. Cody has had the honor of watching him grow into a respectable, curious young man.
Samantha
Groomswoman
Sam is Cody's sister (and Ray's wife). She loves all things dogs and wine. As you may have read, Sam also worked at the SRWC and got Cody the job there. So, without her, we don't know if Cody & Raquel would have ever met. Sam used to feed Cody once a week when they were both at KSU; usually the only real, homemade meal he would have each week. Sam has been offering to help plan and organize this wedding since the proposal (June 2020 -lol-), so her excitement likely rivals the bride & groom.
Ray
Groomsman
Ray is Sam's husband, Cody's brother-in-law. Ray has an unsuspecting sense of humor, and when combined with Cody's, can lead to dangerous and potentially uncomfortable outcomes (Winter, 2016). He doesn't actually want to be in the wedding party so we're not certain he will participate. Regardless, here's his photo.
Stefan
Groomsman
Stefan was our first true California friend, turned one of Cody's closest. We got him as a divorce settlement (JK just a normal breakup) when one of Raquel's school mates and Stefan broke up. When they split, we had to choose between him and her, and the choice could not have been easier. Cody and Stefan spent a lot of time together riding motorcycles in CA, and Cody could always count on Stef to be down for anything. Stefan helped Cody and Raquel move into their first apartment, and was the first person trusted to watch Ollie when she was a little pup.
Emme
Bridesmaid
Raquel and Emme also went to Roosevelt together. From mission trips to baseball games, walking the Golden Gate Bridge, Santa crawls, & beach trips... it's never a dull moment. Em would drive from Toledo to Kent for a party at Cody's house. She once cried after dropping the last slice of pizza on the floor. She also questioned whether Cody was "just" a friend way before either Cody and Raquel knew that could be the case. Intuition: 10/10.
Nina
Bridesmaid
Raquel met Nina in first grade at St. Patrick's School, in...wait for it... Kent, OH. Nina was one of Raquel's first friends there because they had the same piano teacher. They remained bonded over the years despite going to different high schools through several piano teachers, ordering takeout from multiple places in the same night, and binge-watching TV before it was the cool thing to do. Despite living in opposite corners of the country, they can't shake each other. Note the cool "rock" they obsessed over as youngins.
AJ
Groomsman
AJ and Cody met in high school, and then lived together for several years while at KSU. Cody and AJ bonded over creating and building things. It was always a surprise to see what new idea or experiment AJ was cooking up in the basement of that college house on Sherman St. They also share a deep mutual love for pizza. (See a trend?) In a moment of great decision making, they may or may not have gotten their initials branded on themselves. Allegedly, one of them required laser treatment to get it removed.
Kenzie
Bridesmaid
Raquel and Kenzie went to Roosevelt together. They were both cheerleaders. You can find them in action in a photo near the bathrooms of the Stow-Kent Applebees... Kenzie also enjoys ice cream. nothing else needs to be said.
Dave
Groomsman
Dr. Dave was in Raquel's postdoc fellowship cohort and quickly became one of the besties of both the bride and groom... and Ollie. He loves Miller Light, chicken wings, wolves, dad jokes, and inappropriate memes. We love him both despite and because of those things.
Bella & Macie
Flower Girls
Raquel's oldest (sorry I had to) cousin, Steve, and his wife Megan, brought Bella & Macie to the fam. They're sassy and cute and everything you'd want in someone tasked with spreading flowers. Need we say more?