Christina & Kristopher
Wedding Party
Courtney McKenzie
Christina - Best Friend
Some friendships fade with time, and others only grow stronger. Courtney and I met in the town we grew up in - Medway, Massachusetts. We played volleyball together in high school but our friendship didn't really blossom until after we left our small town. Since graduating high school, my friendship with Courtney has only gotten better. She's one of those people whose level of thoughtfulness and attentiveness is unmatched. She can tell when I'm off (sometimes even before I can) and invites me to talk about it. We all need a friend like THAT. Courtney is the person in my life who inspires me to express more of myself. She's the queen of self-expression, whether it be through dancing, fashion, her hair or her words - she owns who she is and shares it boldly with the world. Through all of my big life changes, relationship challenges, and moments to be celebrated - Court's been there with me through them all. Having her with me on the biggest day of my life so far is something I wouldn't trade for anything. I encourage everyone to say hello and spend a few minutes in her presence during our day to see just how incredible she is. I love you, Courtney!
Janice Weldon
Christina - Best Friend
True story - I asked Janice to be my friend by promising her a cosmic brownie in exchange for friendship. Obviously that was a deal she couldn't refuse and the rest is history. Since that fateful day, she's been one of the people I know I can always count on (and snack with). She's someone who is relentlessly pushing her own limits and just being in her sphere makes you wonder whats possible for you too. When Janice decided to pursue higher education in California, she decided the best (and most fun) way to make the move was to ride her BIKE there. After her trip she gave me a piece of the bike chain that supported her adventure, and I still carry it with me every day on my keychain to remind me our support system is just as important as the journey itself. (She's also recently run her first 50km ultramarathon for....FUN). Any time I'm trying to make a big decision in my life, I can always count on Janice to help me make the most true decision for me. That's part of Janice's magic. She's completely committed to making choices that align for HER, regardless of if other people understand them. Without Janice's courage to live a life that works for her, I know that I wouldn't have had the courage to make some of the choices I've made that have led me to this day today. Janice, I love you big time.
Alessandro Spitaleri
Kris - Best Friend
Sandro and I have known one another for the better part of 2 decades. We went to the same school in Germany and really didn't engage much at first. We had gone on a class trip to Paris and at the time I was one of the boring kids people only reluctantly take in. So it was that day when Sandro and I shared a hotel room for the duration of that trip. We warmed up to one another extremely quickly and became practically inseparable a short time after that. There was hardly a day that went by where we did not see one another. We have shared many good times, many sad ones, and have been in each other's lives through many pivotal and character developing moments which are absolutely priceless memories. In 2012 I made the decision to come to the United States to join the Marine Corps, leaving behind family and friends. It was especially hard to leave Sandro and Rebekka and the rest of our tight nit group of friends. I was about to dive into a new phase of my life which changed and transformed me tremendously. Through all that change, all of life's ups and downs, Sandro was always and is to this day always by my side. Sandro, I love you and most of the best moments of my life have been spent with you. I am looking forward to many more and a long life of friendship and brotherhood.
Rebekka Evangelidis
Kris - Best Friend
Rebekka has been one of my best friends for almost as long as Sandro. We have shared many formative moments together throughout our lives. She has always been a rock to me and someone who always makes time for me to listen. She considered my dad basically her own and had spend many days with him and supporting him when I left for the states to pursue a career in the military for which I am endlessly grateful to her. She was also the one who called to tell me about my dad's passing In 2015, and whilst those were hard words to hear I am tremendously grateful that those words came from her. Rebekka, I love you and you will always be my family and my best friend and it means the world to Christina and I that you will share this special moment with us. I am looking forward to the memories we will continue to make together throughout our lives, I couldn't ask for a better friend.
Deryl Sweeney
Officiant
Christina met Deryl through her coaching certification program in 2020. To be honest, I can't even remember the initial bits of our friendship much beyond seeing his charismatic nature and just knowing I wanted him to be part of a mastermind I was creating. From that point forward, we started tossing ideas back and forth.....5 years later we're still going strong with no end in sight. There's something uniquely special about having someone in your world that champions you, believes in you (at times, even more than you believe in yourself), and challenges you. Deryl is THAT for me. Deryl has played a critical role in the way Christina understands the depth of the word "commitment". Without Deryl's friendship, support and example - I know that I wouldn't be the partner that I am to Kris today. It was an easy decision to ask Deryl to officiate our wedding and share his presence with us on a day where Kris and I commit the rest of our lives to each other. It's simply a big bonus that he's an incredible speaker, talented storyteller and was already an officiant! Deryl - thank you for being you, and thank you for who you are, and thank you for your willingness to have such a special role in our special day. We appreciate you!
US Marine Corps
Bonus Thanks to You
We wouldn't be at this day if Kris didn't follow his dream to leave Germany and pursue a military career with the Marine Corps. It didn't lead him where he thought it would, but it lead him to me and thats what I (selfishly) care about the most.