Tess & Ross
Wedding Party
Nancy Foeckler
Maid of Honor
Nancy was my first roommate after graduating college. She was and continues to be the most easy going, easy to talk to, reliable and witty person I know! She made my transition into post-grad life in DC so much fun and I knew she was always there when I needed to talk. She and I have shared some of my favorite adventures and she's helped me through some of life's more difficult moments. Nancy never falters as a friend. If you get the chance to meet her, you'll quickly be able to tell, she's truly something else!
Austin Killian
Best Man
Brother. Austin is my oldest and closest brother. We have lived together the past three years and enjoyed each other's company the last seven. Prior to that, not quite as much. Austin has always been a great supporter, mentor and friend, now he is my best man. He somehow works harder than everyone while seemingly never working and continuously being on vacation. If he likes you, he'll let you know. Give him a shot, it's worth it.
Allie Taylor
Matron of Honor
Older sister to Ross, and one of the oldest friends I have, Allie is an all around joy. She teaches by example and is always there to listen and give wise advice. She is a fantastic mom to two of the cutest and most energetic gals, and she still manages to make time for everyone else in her life! I couldn't have gotten through wedding planning without her generous help. Allie was quick to befriend the dorky 5th grader who moved to Texas way back in the day and has continued to bless me with her friendship through all the phases of life. I was lucky enough to stand up next to her when she married the love of her life, and now I can't be more grateful to have her by my side when I marry mine.
Billy Taylor
Groomsman
Billy. Billy and I lived together for three years. One time he told me he was proposing to my sister and I didn't know they had gone on a date. He may not share who he is in love with, but he does share good stories, good times, cold beers, good friends and a good life if you let him, or really even if you're not trying to let him. Either way. P.S. I had three photos picked out for Billy, and the one shown was the only allowed by Tess, because I think she said Allie wants him to run for politics.
Darma Seidel
Bridesmaid
Darma doo, as we lovingly called her in college, always amazes me with her cheerfulness, good attitude, and deep faith. She has taught me so much about the power of prayer and how we can always rely on our Heavenly Father, especially in times of suffering or trials. She's also a complete blast and knows how to bust a move. Watch out for her on the dance floor!!!
Luke Killian
Groomsman
Little. Luke is my little brother. He is still in college, I think "finding himself" as the kids say, because he seems to change a bit every year. Change is good, we need to move onward. And upward.
Clare Sullivan
Bridesmaid
Life of the party and the one who always knows how to light up the room! Clare has been a close friend since we got to spend the first weekend of our study abroad semester traveling the Amalfi Coast together! Her hard work and dedication to work, faith, family and friends is inspiring. Thanks for keepin' me in line all these years, Kuz ;)
Lucas Black
Groomsman
Fire. This guy went to pre-school with me. Then we homeschooled together for kindergarten, then we lived together throughout all of college. Lucas is my best friend in most senses of the word. He is a great guy, pure fire. No regard for those who do not want a good time. None at all. No respect for such feelings, inevitably, you will have a great time if you hang around Lucas. To know him is to enjoy life. Also, his dance moves are fire. Watch his feet, absolute fire.
Maggie O'Neill
Bridesmaid
Another fellow grad of the University of Dallas, Maggie and I grew close our sophomore year of college during our semester in Rome. We were basically inseparable and her own mother sometimes couldn't tell us apart in pictures! She was always down to cook dinner together in our student apartment, go for a Starbucks run and a much needed walk. Since college, we've remained close and I know she will always make time for a FaceTime or call if I need to talk.
Grant Jones
Groomsman
Papa. Lucas told me to move in with Grant after Billy left us at the end of his 11th year in college, – Lucas, Grant and my junior year. We lived together for one semester senior year and moving in was the best part of my last college semester. Grant is a genuinely kind guy and a great father to Mia, she is pretty cool too. Grant is always a good time and a great person to talk to. He commutes an hour a day, so feel free to give him a call at 5. Huge vibes.
Ella Sipe
Bridesmaid
Ella and I weren't always friends. Back in 6th grade, you could find Ella on one side of the classroom casting disapproving looks toward me as I passed notes, cracked jokes and probably drove our teacher insane. Eventually I grew up a little and Ella agreed to be my friend ;) Then we were inseparable! We've gone from sleepovers in middle school and high school, to college visits across the country, to flying to opposite coasts for wine nights as working adults! Despite our differences, I think we make a pretty good duo!
Adam Abegaz
Groomsman
Awesome. Adam is an all around awesome person. He is the only person I have consistently been close with my entire life. Adam and I met at age 6 I think and have been good friends ever since. He moved to Kansas last year and that was sad, but he comes back to visit nearly every month, presumably to see me. At least I like to think so. Adam has and always will be one of the best people I have ever known. He visited a lot in College Station and we always had a good time. I don't think Adam's visits will ever end, I sure hope they don't.
Monica Thornton
Bridesmaid
Cousin, college roommate, twin, trusted friend...Monica and I are related but in fact we didn't become close until we were starting our first semester at UD. Thankfully, Monica was patient with her unruly roommate and we remained inseparable friends through all four years at school and will continue to be close for our whole lives! I love her sense of humor, seemingly endless energy and creative outlook on life. I am so grateful we moved into Greg and separated those bunk beds 7 years ago!
Robby Taylor
Groomsman
Brother. Robby used to be "Billy's brother" The past few years I have been able to tell Robby I'm an hour away from his house and he doesn't usually ask me how long I'm staying until about a week in. He likes to shoot stuff and build stuff and drink stuff and cook stuff and then eat it, so do I, so we get along. We have had some good times together. Thoroughly, genuinely, enjoyable times.
Miles Classen
Groomsman
Free-man. You can try your best to get Miles wound up, but it just won't work. He is calm and cool, and contemplating his next one liner. The kind of one liner that you think is the best one you will hear your entire life, until a minute later when he drops another. If you're real nice to him, he may even take you up in a pretty cool plane. It's always a good time flying with Miles. I took Miles to St John once, and I am not sure I would have come back in one piece if he wasn't there. He is the friend everyone needs. Not too many get one like Miles though, there's only one after all.
Banks Chisum
Groomsman
Foundation. Banks has some company slogan about him being a strong foundation. Or something along these lines. And you need a strong foundation around Banks, because things can get shaky, and wild, and irreversibly interesting. He wants everyone to have a good time and he bulldozes everyone till he gets his way, so you're going to have a good time around Banks, until the day he dies. A good talk too. He listens to people, and knows them well, very well. He once told me, "Ross, if I'm not in your wedding, I'll murder your ass" and he is, so I'm alive and well. And I am better for having him in my wedding, because he is one of the best people I've ever met.