Wedding Party
Leah Cardwell
Bride
Hi, it's Leah! I grew up in Springfield, Missouri, with my mom, dad, and sister. I dedicated my early years to education and now, I am a doctor! I went to Missouri State, where I originally planned to practice medicine then pivoted into Immunology research. I went on to get my doctorate from the University of Missouri. While there, I met Mike and Sean, forming the golden trio. I moved to Massachusetts in 2020 with my little fur baby, Arthur. In 2023, on a cold January night, I took chance and went on a date… with Rick! We started spending more and more time together and about a year or so in, we started talking about getting engaged. We flew to Missouri, Summer 2024, so Rick could meet my family, who welcomed him with open arms. Together, we designed the ring and Rick used a family friend to create it! He proposed on October 27th, 2024, with the help of Ryan and his girlfriend, Alice! Today, we are planning a wedding and looking forward to our forever together!
Richard Sgalia
Groom
Rick here! For those of you who know me, skip! For those of you who don't, hi! I am Leah's fiancé and I'd like to give you a short recap of me growing up. I was raised in Walpole, MA by a single mother. College rolled around and I grew up. I studied Communication at Westfield State University. After graduating, I worked a lot of different jobs, ultimately landing at Granite Telecom and Gillette Stadium. Then I met Leah, and my life changed forever. Spring 2023, I hit a life milestone, moving out of my mom's house and moving in with Leah and her cat (who I was allergic to). Thankfully, I outgrew that, Leah and my mom have grown close, and the rest of my family loves her. In spring of 2024, we started to talk a bit about marriage, and that summer, a ring was designed. October rolled around and Ryan (see below) and I planned the engagement in secret. We went to New Hampshire and of course, Leah said yes. So here we are, planning a wedding together and looking forward to forever!
Nick Van Skike
Man of Honor
I met Nick in college, at Missouri State. Spoiler, Nick is the one who got me into Immunology research. Over the past 15 years, our friendship has evolved and now, we talk on a weekly basis and call it "storytime". Nick is a one of a kind friend, we can finish each other's sentences, and we give one another honest advice, regardless if the other wants to hear it. Nick is similar to Rick in that they are both very good with their words, and now that he is my Man of Honor, I cannot wait to see what speech he drafts up. I gave one at his wedding, now it's his turn!
Ryan Caulfield
Best Man
I met Ryan just before we started college and we roomed together for 3 of the 4 years we both spent at Westfield State. From watching the Revolution at Gillette, to countless late nights on Xbox, we have grown closer by the year. Heck, this man got me to watch Twin Peaks, which we still theorize about to this day. He also pushed me towards soccer, and got me into watching the Premier League (Up the Villa). We have been there for each other through many ups and downs and I am proud to call him one of my best friends.
Mike Quaney
Man of Honor
I met Mike in Grad school at Mizzou! We were in the same program, and I rememeber one of our first conversations was his plans to propose to his now wife, Lauren. Over the next five years as grad students, we became closer friends and I even attended his and Lauren's wedding. We used to get together at Mike and Lauren's and hang out. Now that I am in Massachusetts, things had to change a little, but we still spend time on Discord, watching anime and talking roughly once a week. Mike and I leaned on one another during the difficult moments in grad school, and shared lots of laughs along the way. As my other Man of Honor, I look forward to sharing this special day with him by my side.
Matthew Bell
Best Man
Matt is easily my oldest friend that is standing in our wedding. I met Matt at the bus stop in kindergarten and we have been best friends since then. Many summers down the Cape, many days playing Yugioh, and endless hours spent on Star Wars Battlefront (the good one), our bond only grew more and more. Today, we are like brothers. This man flew in from Michigan to be there for me when I lost my grandmother in 2018. Not all friends would do that. I will never forget that he did that for me and I love him for it. He was a no brainer to be one of my best men, and is easily one of my best and closest friends. I hope my children will be able to find their own Matt.
Sean Kraus
Bridesman
Sean came into my life in grad school, as I was finishing up my PhD Sean was doing similar research in the same lab space and that was our bonding point. If you know Sean, you know that he is outgoing and can make friends with anyone, enter Mike and I. We all bonded together over science, television, video games, and our love for Obama (Sean knows). I have seen Sean start and finish his PhD, and I am proud of him for how far he has come. Since I moved, I still talk to Sean on a weekly basis through anime night, and we bond over our love of cats. Asking Sean if he would be my bridesman (yes, that's a term) was a no brainer!
Colby Locke
Groomsman
Colby is probably one of the most loyal and loving guys I have ever met. We met in high school back in 2011, and we bonded over classes and our love of football. Colbs is a year older than me, and when I get asked why senior year was so tough, it was because Colby wasn't there. Over the years, we got caught up in our lives as all people do. Fast forward to 2024 and Colby texts me he is proposing. And now I'm a groomsmen in his wedding. Fun fact, I asked Colby to be a groomsmen by texting a picture of an UNO reverse card. He immediately knew what it meant. That man is a ride or die.
Jessica Cardwell
Bridesmaid
My sister Jessica has always had a bold spirit and a one-of-a-kind personality. She is passionate, deeply creative, and someone who feels things fully-whether it's through her love of animals or human rights. While we've had our ups and downs over the years as siblings do, I recognize her strength, resilience, and growth. I am so glad she will be standing by my side when we say “ I do”.
Jeanine Bell
Groomswoman
I met Jeanine shortly after I met Matt (for obvious reasons), and I will admit, she and I did butt heads back in the day. It was not until we got older, around middle school that we started truly being good friends. Jeanine started hanging out with Matt and I more and more, and the three of us became a proper trio. Jeanine and I became like siblings when Jeanine was a freshman in high school and I was a senior. I drove Jeanine to and from school most days, and we listened to music, talked about how wild Mr. Jean's conspiracies were, and helped one another not lose our sanity. Jeanine is the friend that will tell you how it is. That being said, Jeanine is one of the kindest people I know, and when I asked her to stand, I got a very quick yes. So for my sister from another bloodline, I am so honored you said yes, and cannot wait to have you by my side on this special day.
Griffin Quaney
Ring Bearer
So Griffin has been around for all of our relationship, and his mom was pregnant with him when Leah and Rick first met. We first met him at the ripe age of 1, and he will be almost 3 when we say “I Do”! As the son of Mike and Lauren Quaney, two of our close friends, we are very excited to see how this little man grows up!
Jess Furtado
Officiant
For those who don't know, Jess is my cousin and my godmother. I do not ever think I have said it much to anyone, but I have admired Jess most of my youth, from paving the way at Walpole High for me and my cousin, Steven, to going to Boston College, and working at Liberty Mutual with her dad. She was like an older sister to me as we grew up. Now, being able to see her become a mother to her daughter, Julia, and a wife to her wife, Stacey, I can honestly say that it is an honor to have her in my life.
Arthur Bartholomew Cardwell
Cat of Honor
Meow! I got toe beans so dad is writing for me! Hi, I am Arthur! I am Leah and Rick's cat/son. I was found in a field at Caleb and Becky's wedding thing back in 2019, and I was only 5 weeks old so it's all very hazy. Mom decided she was going to keep me and we lived in Missouri. Mom and I moved across the country and then Dad came along and I warmed up to him quickly. I love my beds, my toys, and I will admit, I do consume some catnip every once in a while. I can stop whenever I want Mom. I am grateful for the roof over my head, two square meals a day, and parents who love me. I am an indoor cat and am not going to be able to attend my parents' wedding. But I will raise a glass of catnip tea to Mom and Dad and say "Congratulations, it's still my dinner time, feed me".