Wedding Party
Kirstin Newnes
Maid of Honor
As kids, Kirstin and I loved to play pretend and invent things. We'd get into all kinds of mischief. But as long as we were together with our imaginations, there were no limits. Once, we rigged up our playhouse with a series of bungee cords, designed to close the front door and bring us our hats (why a 8 year old and a 5 year old needed their hats brought to them by an intricate bungee pulley system, I cannot say). When one bungee inevitably snapped off, Mom was relieved Kirstin walked away with "only" a bloody lip and less trust for her older sister, and not worse damage. Kirstin is deeply joyful and has endless compassion! She also gives really good advice.
Zachary Dedekind
Best Man
Zach is my best friend and I am honored that he will be my best man. I had the honor of serving as his best in 2021 and I am always blown away by this guy. He has helped me train to get into shape for the Army and he has studied his butt off to get into Oxford after establishing himself in his career. Fun Fact: He is on pace to read 100 books in 2023* *He listens to books along with reading
Rebecca Redfield
Bridesmaid
When Rebecca and I lived in Rwanda there was a big conference with 25 presidents and other heads of state staying in the capital city, causing traffic jams like we'd never seen. But we still had to get to work, so off Rebecca and I went to the office, braving the streets of Kigali in a 2-ton Land Cruiser for a 3 mile drive, her in the passenger seat and me, with very marginal merit to be there, in the driver seat. (I learned to drive manual transmission over the weekend.) It was a 90 minute white knuckle drive through the land of a thousand hills and a million motorcycles. Rebecca remained calm and encouraging the whole time, while I sweated through my work clothes and looked so stressed that a person on the side of the road tapped on the window and offered to take over. Rebecca helps me find the silliness in life and is a friend who sits with me in joy or pain!
Anton Erne
Groomsman
Anton is my older brother and has slowly turned into a great friend. We were 6 years apart and had not much in common as children except to torment each other. As we have become adults, we have been roommates and friends. He has a heart of gold and anyone that meets him will see that he is one of the nicest people on this planet. Fun Fact: Anton has decided to pick up ice hockey after a 25 year hiatus.
Bailey Holway Kaiya
Bridesmaid
While it was still very much covid so Bailey, a few friends, and I hiked to the highest point in Malawi, assuming this would be a covid safe activity. When we got to our mountain hut for the night however, it was like Grand Central Station. There were people from 10+ nations; no room in the inn. But it was far too cold to sleep outside, so we burrowed down in our sleeping bags and got stepped on throughout the night in this overstuffed hut, and summitted the next day. Bailey is always up for exploring somewhere new and will wrestle with the difficult things with me!
Chris Thomas
Groomsman
Coming in all the way from sunny, sunny Hawaii, Chris is a great friend who has a heart for the Lord. He has been a constant support for me in my own faith journey and a friend that I know that will be praying for me and my future family as I will be praying for his family. He has an arsenal of bad dad jokes and has probably the best style of all my friends. Fun Fact: Chris and Andrew were going to be roommates several times during college but it never worked out and that is probably why they still remain friends to this day.
Jenalyn Burton Ramirez
Bridesmaid
Jenalyn and I have been friends since 1993. Once Jenalyn and I went to Tijuana for the weekend and attended five quinceañeras in the same day. Then our friend's cousin, who was 70+ years old came to pick us up at the border and she accidentally crossed into Mexico without her passport after we were already stateside. She eventually returned, having purchased a turtle for her lawn, and drove us home. Jenalyn loves her people well and gives thoughtful "make me feel like the most special person on the planet" gifts!
David Kimn
Groomsman
David was my college suite-mate who never remembered to unlock my side of the bathroom. He was my spikeball partner, cooking partner in adulthood (never let me in the kitchen), and has let me crash at his place more times than I can count! He loves to host and will do anything for friends or family. Fun Fact: David is lactose intolerant, which he told us day 1 of college as he is drinking his second glass of milk with dinner.
Grace Ko
Bridesmaid
When we were in college Grace and I were big on "having adventures" so we convinced my dad to strap a 2 person lake kayak to the top of the Ford Escape, drove it into the heart of downtown LA, and tried to kayak down the LA River (which at the time was mostly a stream). In the end the cement banks of the river were too steep for the kayak, and also we had the wrong kind of kayak to begin with, so we went and got dinner instead. Grace brings hospitality to each home and event she's part of and thoughtfully remembers details about my life from every season!
Peter Choi
Groomsman
Peter hails from South Korea and is a long time college friend. He is the life of the party and the worse thing is that he knows it. Not only is he reporting your local news, he is also causing news with his dance moves. Fun Fact: Peter beatboxes and won a college talent show. He also has the cutest dog named Parker Bok Choi (follow him on instagram)
Shelbye Renfro
Bridesmaid
One time Shelbye and I were in a motorcycle gang called biker babes and as well as a cooking club. With those two little crews and other friends we've been camping beside volcanoes, tea plantations, rainforests, and overlooking Kigali city more times than I can count. One such campout included karaoke and learning the dance to Footloose, which she can surely still do and I never could. Shelbye asks insightful questions and comes in clutch with encouragement on tough days!