Maid of Honor
Kayla and I thought we met for the first time when I joined the club soccer team she had been playing on going into our freshman year of high school. We clicked right away. Four years later at my high school graduation party, a clip was playing of me dancing in a performance when I was five years old. Who was holding my hand on stage? Kayla. We then scavenged through old pictures and found a couple of the two of us hugging and holding onto each other in our little dance outfits. Back to modern day, Kayla was the first person by my side when I went through my season ending knee injury my senior year of high school, both on and off the field. She got me through the hardest challenge through laughter, her faith, and constantly motivating me to stay positive. Throughout college, Kayla had my best interest at heart, speaking out when she thought I needed it. Granted, I didn't listen in the moment, but looking back, it was the best advice any friend has ever given me. Just like that little girl who was frightened to be on stage, the modern me couldn't think of anyone else to hold my hand on the biggest day of my life.
Best Man
Everyone will say their best friend is a brother or sister, but you've never met a pair like Cole and I. After 29, a lifetime of knowing Cole in hard times, easy times and some of the best times I've had, I can always truly say Cole you are my best friend and there is no one I'd rather have standing next to me on this day. In the years we have spent apart when I moved away to go to school, or to pursue a new path in life, we have truly been inseparable. We would spend hours on the phone just to share each other's company. Now, having Cole as a roommate for the past 5 years, it's hard to believe we aren't completely sick of one another. Somehow throughout all of these years, we share the same interests and love doing all the same things we did together as kids. From Christmas Eve mud bogs in the orchard (sorry Papa) to Friday night wrestling matches in the backyard, Cole and I have always found ways to get in trouble. Cole has always known when to stand behind me and when to push me in a different direction. Brothers like Cole don't come around often, so when they do hold them close.
Bridesmaid
Devyn and I have such a similar story, it's actually destined for us to be sister-in-laws. We went to both elementary and middle school together down in the valley. Her boyfriend is Cole, Spencer's brother and best friend, and they've been dating the last few years. So Spencer and her are super close! When Spencer showed me 'his brother's girlfriend', because I was curious, I was shocked. How do two valley girls end up dating two of the most country, real men left? Dev immediately took me under her wing, even though I was super quiet (hard to believe). But, the river floating, camping, and hours spent entertaining our boys together has answered my prayers for a sister and I couldn't ask for a better one. She has been by my side this entire process. The moment I realized Devyn was going to be one of my best friends was when we drove three hours up north to look at a ridiculously priced venue, and while my brain was trying to think about how we would afford this, I turned to my right and Devyn was standing right there next to me shaking her head, taking in all the details for me, and speaking the truth I needed to hear. We then went wine tasting AND antique shopping and I was thankful for her genuine spirit the entire time.
Groomsman
Almost 10 years after moving away from southern California as a kid, Cody has been one of my closest friends since coming back home. 10 years ago, I ran into Cody at the local skateboard park. Initially, I did not want to be friends with Cody. For starters, he was better than I was on a BMX bike, being a competitive teenager that wasn't grounds for a friendship. Fast forward about 3 hours, Cody and I were riding together and became great friends. Over the years there's been fishing trips, BMX trips, back packing trips and surprise trips to visit him in Chico at school. We were even roommates for a year and that was one of the most fun years ever. Cody is a great guy, he has flaws (can't fix his truck without breaking it first and then having me help finish it) but he's one of my best friends and I'm so happy he gets to be a part of this day.
Bridesmaid
Where can I get started. I can go really really crazy, or sweet. But I feel like with Cat, I have more insanely crazy stories with her, whether that's the hitch hike journey, the country bar fight, or when I bombed a hill at 11 p.m. in the pitch black on a plastic bucket top and broke my tailbone on a frozen stump at the bottom of the hill and she came sliding down to save me. If we talk more emotional, Cat was the first person I saw above me when I tore my MCL and hamstring my senior year, held my hand through all my disheartening surgeon appointments, and taught me that I was worth it whether it was my teaching career or my actual heart. The things we went through together are indescribable and will forever be memorable. The inseparable years spent together has sewn an eternal bond to Cat, no matter the distance. As we have shared both happy and sad tears together, I can't wait to share more happy tears with her standing by side on my wedding day.
Groomsman
The nicest, most loving, outgoing and greatest guitar player you've ever met, Garrett Poteet! I first met Garrett when starting my career at John Deere. Within 30 seconds of meeting him I was told "This is Garrett, he's going to be your roommate next month in college, you'll be going to Oregon next week to find your house with him". Without much of an option I hesitantly agreed. All it took was a two-day trip to Oregon and I knew I had made a lifelong friend. Garrett and I clicked on so many levels. Unbeknownst to me, Garrett was an amazing guitar player. Unbeknownst to him, I was a mediocre drummer. This started a yearlong jam session every single day after class in college. I'd like to say we learned a lot in school but truthfully, there wasn't much studying after class. Garrett is a wise guy and a great friend who always gives great advice and is willing to have those meaningful conversations a young man needs to have with his friends. I know if I'm ever going through a hard time and need someone to talk to, I can rely on Garrett, and he knows he can come to me for the same. I never thought with my new career I was also going to get a lifelong friend, I'm glad it was Garrett.
Bridesmaid
Anyone ever try to explain someone but realize they don't have the perfect enough words? That's Elise. Elise married my Uncle Mike a few years back, and even though she is the same age as me, she encapsulates everything I want to be as a wife, mother, and friend. She is the most genuine, tell it how it is soul alive, and spending anytime with her makes me strive for a better relationship with not only my future husband, but with the Lord. She glorifies Him in everything she does, whether it is her job as a wife, a mother, or her career. Elise has taught me to put God first, and the rest will follow. She is joyous in everything she does, and I can't wait to share my special day with someone who has made me so excited to be the best version of myself that I can be.
Groomsman
Ian is probably the only person I have ever met that I've never seen angry, I can always expect to be greeted with a big ol' smile. He is also the only other person I know who might have a bigger fascination with tractors than I do. My first day living back in Southern California Cody took me to his friend's ranch (Ian's house), immediately I knew we'd all be hanging out daily. Every day after work we would all ride Ian's half pipe and build BMX jumps together. 10 years later were going on fishing trips, back packing trips, swimming after long workdays and riding bikes as adults. Ian is always willing to lend a hand and share his fabrication expertise with any project I bring his way and he does it enthusiastically. Ian's family was also generous enough to allow us to have our wedding on their ranch, the same ranch that I have made so many friendships on. Ian is one of a kind and one of the most talented people I know, thanks for everything buddy!
Bridesmaid
I can't believe I am so blessed to have my first sister-in-law be Kailey. To think I never would have known her if it wasn't for Johnny boggles my mind. She not only blessed me with my first niece, but she has continuously supported me through both ups and downs, giving me a place to feel comfortable, and the best focaccia ever. Kailey has taught me that being selfless in everything you do is a lot better than being bitter and becoming overwhelmed. Both her and Johnny live a life surrounded by their faith in God, love for each other, and love for their daughter, Esther. Kailey has taught me to laugh at the simple things, and not let the bitter things in life get to me. She has been one of my biggest supporters in this, and I couldn't imagine having a different smile than hers standing beside me on my day.
Groomsman
Andrew and I met in 6th grade, and within a few days of being in the same home room we were great friends. It all started with our love for motocross and BMX bikes, next thing you know we ended up having matching green DC shoes, we talked in a weird voice to each other, we were kind of weird in 6th grade (we still talk in that voice sometimes). Andrew was the first person I talked to about my first girlfriend as a kid and it's an awesome feeling knowing he's going to be a part of me marrying my last one. Andrew has never shy'd away from giving it to me straight when I'm making the wrong decision, but he has always stood by me when he knowns I'm making the right one. If you need someone to whip you into shape physically, ask this man for his card. If you need a lifelong friend, go find another, that's my boy!
Bridesmaid
When your brother brings home a girl for the first time, a lot goes through your mind. The questions are endless. One I always found asking myself was, "Am I going to be tough as nails? Or best friends?" Both Bradley and myself are extremely protective over each other, but hearing him talk about Ori the way he did made me realize she must be something special. I am sure glad I went with the "best friends" vision. I could not imagine Bradley with anyone different. Ori grounded him in the craziest part of his life, and our first time meeting I knew she was the one. Specifically, any time you meet someone who loves horses, you just know that since they have to be able to tame one of the biggest domesticated animals there is they mist be something special. Not only does she make him the happiest I have ever seen him, she makes me so excited for what the future looks like. I can already envision her taking her future nieces and nephews on horseback trips and loving them for who they will be. She will be such a key factor in the rest of my life, and I couldn't imagine both her and Bradley standing next to us on our wedding day.
Groomsman
I've lived in a lot of different places and met thousands of people, but I have never met another person more hilarious than Conner Dersch. Conner and I took woodshop together 2 or 3 times during high school and would nearly cough up a lung laughing every day in the class joking around about Mr. Wickens or convincing Ralph (aka Jaws) to eat a PB&J in one bite. I have so many awesome memories laughing till I cried with Conner that I could write a book. Interestingly enough, Conner and I were not fond of each other when we first met. He was a skateboarder, and I was a BMX rider, which normally wouldn't mix. But after several run-ins with each other at the park and in school we slowly became friends. My core teenage years were spent with Conner, and he is a best friend of mine. He has been by my side through some really difficult times, I couldn't be more thankful for a friend like him sticking it out to share the happiest times with. Even now that a few states separate us I always will love this guy!
Bridesmaid
Sophia has not changed since she was the eight year old girl I first met in her front yard screaming at the top of her lungs about a bumblebee flying around her. The only difference is that she now screams in the middle of a varsity soccer game for the same reason or in the middle of a Zach Bryan country song. I'm not sure if she's ever forgiven me for the suicide sprints I forced her to run when she was in 7th grade to prepare her for high school soccer practice or for the fact that I won't let her live down showing up to her first training in Nike Air Forces, but she sure did run her heart out. Sophia was first person I told before going on a date with Spencer and her first words after Spencer and I's second date were exactly, "WHEN'S THE WEDDING!" And yes, it was screamed. Sophia, being my biggest fan since the day I met her, has encompassed what it's like to have a younger sister (I'm sure it's God's way of telling me I could not have handled 24 years of it). She has reminded me everyday along the way that Spencer and I are a match made in heaven. All while getting me through the toughest part of my teaching career, something I can't even fathom talking about to this day, and has encouraged me to be who I am in the classroom based on my beliefs and morals without conforming to society. She makes me laugh with no end in sight, let's me be who I truly am, and pushes me to be the best in every situation. I could not imagine not seeing her by my side on my day.
Groomsman
To be honest with everyone, I have only met Bradley once. It was in Florida during spring break and man, was he being the most protective brother he could have been. Bradley and I talked for a maximum of 10 minutes the entire time we were in Florida (6 days). Yet, in those 6 days, he defended me from a crazy neighbor, told us how happy he was for us, and even cracked a smile or two. I know he was playing hard to get because when Bri called him about our engagement, I think he screamed the loudest out of anyone. What I appreciate about Bradley, is that even though he is younger, his sister looks up to him so much. They grew up best of friends, playing outside every chance they could get, creating new games to play, and falling in love with the game of soccer together, which is now one of Bri's passions in life. I feel so blessed to be getting another brother in Bradley because I know he will be a protector of our future kids, and his sister forever, all the while loving me like a brother as well.
Groomsman
My first-time meeting Johnny was dropping Brianna off from our second date. To my surprise I was greeted by Johnny and Jake walking through the gate. Unsure of what to expect or what was going to happen next, I was extremely nervous. It took all of about 10 seconds for me to realize that these were some cool dudes, and we were going to get along great if I made it out of there without issue. Here we are now, they gave me the pass and I couldn't be more thankful. My second time meeting Johnny was my first time back at church in a few years, this is something I really do admire about Johnny, the fact that his wife, daughter and him all joined us at church that morning and made me feel welcome. I'm glad to have him as a brother now and to be a part of their family.
Groomsman
The story of meeting Jake is the same as it was meeting Johnny, because I was greeted by not one brother but two brothers dropping off Brianna from our second date. Although Jake seemed a little slower to warm up to me, we have found common ground and share a lot of similar interests. I'm a bit jealous of the guy because he makes me look like a child on a motorcycle and he can hike straight up the side of a mountain when I'm stopping every ten feet sucking wind. I'm grateful that Jake has accepted me and allowed me to take care of his sister and join his family. I'm looking forward to many years of fishing, hiking and hopefully riding with another new brother.