Wedding Party
Leeda Rasoulian
Maid of Honor
Leeda and Anna met in graduate school in 2011, and Anna knew there was something special about Leeda from the very first moment they met; kindred spirits, if you will. Leeda has been Anna's rock for almost 15 years and has remained the strongest, most supportive sounding board that Anna could ever ask for.
Chris Sutton
Best Man
BFF's since middle school, no matter the distance, they pick up right where they left off. Oh the stories these two have!!
Tina Sasam
Bridesmaid
Anna and Tina have worked together at the same Physical Therapy clinic since 2017. Tina has seen Anna at her highest highs and lowest lows, and Tina has never left her side; literally- they've sat 6 feet away from each other every day for over 8 years. Tina and Anna never miss an opportunity to laugh together/at each other, and they somehow still manage to get their work done! Tina has always supported Anna when she needed it most, and Anna is grateful beyond measures for everything Tina has done for her over the years.
JP Miller
Groomsman
JP and Shane have been friends since 2011. Once rival youth baseball coaches, the two developed an unshakable bond that has lasted through good times and bad. My maw maw said you could count your true friends on one hand. JP is unmistakably a true friend!
Amanda Rose
Bridesmaid
The first time Amanda came to Anna's house, they talked non-stop for over four hours, and it was as though they'd been friends for a lifetime, despite only knowing each other for a couple months. Their friendship has continued to deepen over the past four years, and Amanda continues to amaze Anna with her inner strength, unbreakable spirit, and ability to handle life on life's terms with dignity, grace and courage.
Joseph Zana
Groomsman
Joey and Shane found each other when they needed each other the most. Roommates, golf partners, and the truest of friends, Joey and Shane share an unbreakable bond for life.
Charlotte Allen
Bridesmaid
Anna and Char always, somehow, find themselves on the phones with each other, whether they're talking about silly family shenanigans, what clothes to wear that day, or most importantly, how to live in the solution rather than the problem. Char is an incredibly strong woman in recovery and she shows Anna every day how beautiful life can be when she trusts in her Higher Power. Char shares the same name as Anna's maternal grandmother, Charlotte Stanton, who Anna misses greatly, and there is no doubt in Anna's mind that Char was placed in Anna's life when she needed her most.
Pat Flynn
Groomsman
Their journey began in the kitchen of a halfway house. Pat found Shane at one of the lowest points in life. After an introduction and a story like only Pat can tell, Shane knew Pat had what he wanted. Pat has been one of the most influential men in Shane's life today. As Shane's sponsor, Pat has shown him what it means to be a man of integrity and faith in recovery.
Layne LeBlanc
Bridesmaid
Layne is Shane's gorgeous, loving, and super-intelligent daughter. Layne completed her Master's in Certified Rehabilitation Counseling and is now a Doctoral student at Mississippi State University. The father-daughter bond that they share is amazing, and Shane is so proud of his Layners!
Brady LeBlanc
Groomsman
Brady is Shane's easygoing, loving son. He attends the University of Houston, pursuing a bachelor's degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management. Regardless of their distance, Shane and Brady share a father-son bond that knows no bounds. Shane is so proud of his handsome son and honored to have him by his side!
Lori Harpst
Mother of the Bride
Anna has been fortunate to have such a strong and close-knit group of friends her whole life, but her Best Friend and Number One Fan has always been her mother. Anna can proudly describe her mother as one of the most generous, loyal, kind-hearted, open-minded, passionate, and supportive people that Anna has ever had in her life. Lori has witnessed Anna's greatest triumphs and successes, as well as her plunder into darkness, and Lori has never given up on Anna, nor has her love or support for Anna ever faltered. Lori has played a paramount role in helping Anna become the strong, independent, and resilient woman that Anna is proud to be today.
Erik Harpst
Father of the Bride
As a tomboy all her life, Anna has always been a daddy's girl, and her closeness with her father deepened as he coached her in all her sports from when she began at age 6 until she graduated high school. Erik is a man of his word to his very core, and Anna has learned the trueness of integrity, humility, and commitment through watching her father closely ever since she was a little girl. Whether it was with his career, his family, his friends, his fraternity brothers, his appreciation of nature, or his passion for creating art, music, and brilliant photography, Anna has never seen her father dedicate less than 100% of himself to the cause. Anna is the luckiest girl in the world to have such a strong and loving role model that she can call Daddy.
Daryl Wilkinson
Father of the Groom
Daryl, or "Pops," is Shane's stepfather. Shane was blessed to have two amazing fathers in his life. God knew what he was doing when Daryl entered Gwen and Shane's lives. Even though Shane wasn't his blood, Shane was his boy, and he showed Shane what true love looked like in how he loved and cared for Gwen. An amazing husband, father, and grandfather, Daryl has been there every step of the way for his family. He's a proud Pops!
Gwen Wilkinson
Mother of the Groom
Gwen, Shane's mom, passed away on August 15th, 2020. Gwen was the heartbeat of her family, and Shane was her pride and joy. He was a momma's boy to the max. Shane's angel in Heaven had one request of him before she passed: "I just want to see you happy." Everyone says how much Gwen would have loved Anna and her family. Not only because Shane is truly happy today but because the Harpst family feels like his family. Shane and Anna believe that it was Gwen who brought them together. Gwen and Anna's mom, Lori, share the same birthday, among other divine signs that Gwen may have had a hand in this beautiful union.
Drew LeBlanc
Father of the Groom
Drew, Shane's father, passed away on November 22nd, 2014. Shane and Drew were very close and always picked up right where they left off when they were together. Some think they've seen the ghost of Drew when they see Shane because he is the spitting image of his father. Drew had an incredible sense of humor and cared deeply for others. Drew was very proud of Shane and would have adored Anna.
Leroy Hendrickson
Officiant
Leroy and his wife Maria are Shane and Anna's family. For as long as they have known him, Leroy has been a spiritual inspiration to the couple. Leroy is the embodiment of unconditional love and tolerance of others. He is so special to them that it was a no-brainer for him to officiate their wedding.
Dale Trees
Officiant
Dale Trees...there are not enough words to describe how special he is to Shane and Anna. So special that they asked him to officiate the wedding too! Shane calls Dale his Angel because Dale never gave up on him, and Shane may not be here today if not for him. Anna and Dale share a special bond. In addition to their mutual love and appreciation for flowers and nature, Dale played a vital role in helping Anna rediscover the beauty in the world and, more importantly, in herself.
