Wedding Party
Madison Tolley
Co-Maid of Honor
Madison is Sara's oldest friend. They met at Mill Creek Elementary School, where their favorite game to play was Sandman. However, the greatest story of their friendship would be in middle school, when although they attended different schools, they exchanged emails back and forth until they were reunited in high school. Many people joke that high school best friends never stand the test of time, but these two have a special bond that has held strong through going to different colleges, laughing and crying about misguided romantic relationship choices, and living apart (sometimes on different continents). Madison is funny, creative, strong, and the best person to have around when you need to vent or a shoulder to cry on.
Cole Patton
Co-Best Man
Cole is the middle Patton child. Despite this, due to his height, everyone always asks if he's the oldest. He's not. CJ is. Don't forget that. Cole was a gymnast like his older brother, but chose to forgo the traditional training with mats and foam pits, and decided to teach himself how to flip on the grass, streets, and basketball courts. His senior year of high school he was the Boys Gymnastics State runner-up on the Floor Exercise. Cole currently lives in New York with his roommate Cara. CJ and Sara got to visit them a few summers ago and got to see all the cool New York sights like the Guggenheim, Times Square, and pigeons.
Paula Amat
Co-Maid of Honor
Sara met Paula in high school, thanks to an introduction by her other Maid of Honor, Madison. Paula and Sara loved reading, organizing, and complaining about gym class. Despite going off to college, the two remained close friends, and one of Sara's favorite memories is when she came to U of I to see her in her first-ever college play. Paula is strong and brave, and she always tells the truth, even if it's hard to hear. Sara never would have gone to live and intern in Washington D.C. over the summer in college if it weren't for her insistence. Sara is so grateful to have Paula in her life!
Stephen Patton
Co-Best Man
Stephen is the youngest Patton brother. He is the proud father of 2 bunnies and a dog named Daisy and is the favorite person of his parent's dog, Luna. Stephen has explored a plethora of career skills and has worked in construction, pharmaceuticals, and is now experimenting with a butcher's apprenticeship. He will be attending the wedding with his longtime girlfriend, Alyssa, with whom he celebrates over 7 years together. He can be recognized by his trademark blonde hair and his charming smile, and it will be the secret mission of everyone who reads this to get this brother out onto the dance floor.
Anne Palcheck
Bridesmaid
Anne and Sara met through Nick, Anne's husband. Nick and CJ were friends in high school, but the foursome grew very close after the Palchecks moved to Roselle, just 15 minutes away from where they live (and 5 minutes from CJ's work!). Anne is such a kind, thoughtful soul who is always the best hostess and person to drink tea with (and did I mention her gardening, baking, and home decorating skills are off the charts?). She also gives excellent advice on navigating adulthood (much of the results of this wedding will be thanks to her). She is Sara's newest friend, but she can't imagine her life without her.
Nick Palcheck
Groomsman
Nick and CJ met in junior high, and hung out periodically through high school. However, it was in their adult lives where their friendship truly flourished. Reveling in their new proximity after Nick moved to Roselle with his wife, Anne, CJ and Sara began frequently spending time at the Palcheck residence. Nick and Anne would host Murder Mystery parties and board game days, introducing CJ to a board game named Twilight Imperium, which takes around 7-9 hours to play. Beyond games, Nick is the type of person who will never hesitate to offer his help in any capacity needed. He is the definition of a true friend, and one that CJ is privileged to know.
Ellie Spindle
Bridesmaid
Ellie and Sara met through their mutual love of music, theatre, and Disney World in middle school. Despite the drama and mean girls characteristic of high school, Ellie always remained kind and confident in herself, something Sara aspires to imitate. Ellie and Sara both had a mutual anxiousness about growing up and a fear of awkward social interactions in high school, and they bonded over what they would do when they had to hang out, alone, with a boy. What would they talk about??? Regardless, Ellie has grown into a fierce lady who has taken on being a nurse during COVID and traveling the country with her partner, Joe.
Matt Owens
Groomsman
Matt and CJ met in junior high during that brief period of CJ's life where he did wrestling. As they grew close during high school, Matt introduced CJ to a sport that was even more manly than wrestling with a much lower possibility for contracting ringworm - Intramural Ultimate Frisbee. CJ credits this move by Matt to be the most critical point of CJ's social career. Through ultimate frisbee he gained a solid group of friends and, more importantly, a life outside of gymnastics. Matt introduced CJ to a bunch of new music and they have gone to many a concert together. Matt went on to play ultimate frisbee in college, and just ran his very first marathon!
Cameron Graber
Bridesman
Cameron and Sara met doing theatre in high school. Cameron was the ultimate star. Sara's family would comment almost after every production about how funny and magnetic Cameron was to watch. Some how he got typecast as the old man character, which only he could have pulled off that gracefully. Sara watched in awe from a distance until their senior year when the two of them bonded over ice cream, directing one act plays, and creative writing (iykyk). Cameron is seriously the nicest person Sara has ever met- he thinks about everyone else before himself, to the point where Sara has had to fight him on multiple occasions to pay the dinner bill. Cam is such a kind soul, and Sara is honored to have him there on her wedding day.
Josh Jaworski
Groomsman
Josh and CJ met in junior high but their friendship really started picking up momentum when Josh made the decision to try high school gymnastics with the sole intent of learning how to do a backflip. In a common bait-and-switch, he ended up in pommel horse specialist country, the only event that does not practice backflips. Nevertheless, Josh and CJ spent countless hours at Xtreme Trampolines, where CJ coached his friend through many attempts and only dropped him on his head once or twice. Josh currently resides in Texas with his fiancée Jess but luckily, as someone who works on planes for a living, Josh is able to fly down to Illinois semi-regularly. Of all the groomsmen, Josh probably has the most well-rounded music taste, so you can expect to see him on the dance floor the most frequently.
Jun Shinohara
Groomsman
Despite the name, he wasn't born in June. CJ met Jun Shinohara, affectionately called "JUUUUUUUUN!" by those that know him, through Matt and Josh. Jun was a great Ultimate Frisbee player, going on to play in college against Matt, and is a tried and true friend. Jun also is one of the most disciplined people CJ has ever met. Examples include reading his AP bio book while doing crunches in gym class, and most recently receiving his doctorate, becoming a full fledged Doctor of Physical Therapy. Jun is one of the nicest guys you will meet, but be warned - he has a tendency of taking shots with wedding guests under the guise of making new friends. You will 100% have made a friend for life in Jun, but Sara and CJ are not responsible for the hangover you feel the next morning. Proceed with caution.
Travis Burke
Groomsman
CJ met Travis at UIC on the Men's Gymnastics Team. A lot of people know CJ to be a strong gymnast back in his heyday, but Travis was better at every event, including even pommel horse! In addition to gymnastics, CJ and Travis shared a lot of common interests, including anime and trading card games. Travis was the one that got CJ into Magic: the Gathering, an act that his wallet still hasn't forgiven him for. Their bond grew strong over at UIC, but what really hammered home their friendship was living together for 3 years after post college. CJ and Travis, along with their roommates Trent and Kyle, spent the majority of COVID-19 quarantine in a house together, and it honestly made the dreary days of the pandemic fun and full of good memories. Nowadays, Travis has turned his gymnastics-style passion into a full Golf career, all the while documenting his road to scratch on Youtube!
Jacob Temple
Officiant
Jacob is Sara's younger brother. As a kid, Sara's family compared Jake to Jim Carrey because of how funny and energetic he was- it was always his ultimate goal to get Sara to laugh, even when she was furious at him. Over time, Jacob's talents for sports and socialization became apparent, something Sara always envied. However, in his early 20s, Sara sees Jacob finally feeling comfortable in his skin. As a future elementary school teacher, Jacob lights up when he is around kids, and he is always the coolest adult around. Jacob has seen Sara and CJ's relationship bloom from the start, making him the perfect person to marry them on their wedding day.