Chris & Kristia
Wedding Party
Kyrie Radford
Ring Bearer
I met Chris and Kristia officially on August 29, 2018, but they found out about me in January of that year. The first time I met them was a little overwhelming if I'm honest. I couldn't really see anything, and I was super cold, but somehow I knew they would love and protect me. It's been almost two years since we've all officially met, and I must say I love being their son. My dada is kinda crazy, and momma just laughs and shakes her head at him and me most of the time, but we are one happy family!
Ronesha Clark
Matron of Honor
I gave Kristia no choice but to be my friend. We met when we joined Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. in 2009. We are not only line sisters, but she is the 3 and I am the 2. If you know Kristia you know she is a hard worker, dedicated and a natural leader. Total opposite of how I was during those years. Being the youngest on our line, she stood out like the oldest. She wasn’t afraid to give her opinion, give direction or call all the shots. From there, we became roommates, started our natural hair journey together, and now becoming futures wives and mothers. I have so many favorite memories! Kristia has always shown me what true friendship was no matter the arguments or disagreements we had and I am happy to stand by her side as she says “I Do”.
Andrea Walker
Maid of Honor
I have known Kristia since the 9th grade. With living in the same neighborhood and cheering together our friendship took off and we became best friends ever since. I am so grateful that I have such an amazing friend like Kristia in my life. I can go to her for words of encouragement, to help me prepare for interviews, or even to tell her about my bad life decisions lol. Some of my favorite memories are of us dancing. We loved to dance! I remember our high school talent show performance to “2 Step” and we KILLED it! Over the past 15 years we have shared a lot of “firsts” together. From our first day of college, to having our first apartment, to each of us having our first child, our friendship has remained. I am excited to share another big moment with her on her wedding day!
Courtney Blakely
Bridesmaid
I met Kristia in January 2010, on MLK day. We were volunteering at an event together, and I was immediately drawn to her positive attitude & willingness to serve others. I thought wow, this woman is amazing, she would be such a great friend. She had a light about her. Fortunately, through DST we’ve been able to build an amazing friendship, just as I’d hoped. Now, 10 years later, I have a front row seat to her accomplishments & how she still continues to serve selflessly to others.
Iesha Eaton
Bridesmaid
Kristia and I have been friends for something along the lines of 14 years. We first met my freshman year at John Hardin High School. I had just moved to Kentucky after living in Germany...though our paths never crossed during her time there. Our friendship has survived time, distance...and a 16 hour road trip! I am grateful that life has allowed us this journey together. Here's to a few more reasonable adventures...cause ain't nothing changed.
Alexandria Evans
Bridesmaid
Kristia and I met in 2009 while we both attended University of Louisville. That was the year I gained Kris as a sister and fellow member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., our friendship was instantaneous. I knew right off that Kristia was funny, driven, creative, and beautiful inside and out. Kris and I have too many memories to list. Everything from trips around the country, celebrations, and random late night dinners. What I value most in our friendship is that Kris is there for me no matter the distance. We have shared so much laughter, joy, and even heartache but our friendship has remained strong. I can not wait to continue to see how your union with Chris continues to grow. Y’all are such a wonderful and inspiring couple. And I wish both of you many years of happiness and growth.
Mahogany Mayfield
Bridesmaid
As a firm believer in authentic sisterhood; Kristia’s love, support, and sisterhood have attested to the power of sisters, or as Kristia and I say, “sistas” sticking together! I met Kristia when I was a sassy and lit 14 year old in a program for high school students on UofL’s campus. 18 year old Kristia was one of the mentors, it was the amalgamation of my litness and her bubbly love that led to 11 years of authentic sisterhood! It has been Kristia’s honesty and love that have supported me personally, (and financially when I was a broke college student). Our sisterhood remains strong as it did summer 2008! Chris and Kyrie are soooo blessed to have a loving life partner and mommy like Kristia! I wish Kristia and Chris an abundance of sweet memories and unconditional LOVE!
Jasmine Piernas
Bridesmaid
I have known Kristia since 8th grade, back in 2003. We became friends instantly! Although we didn’t go to the same high school we continued to keep in touch and eventually realized we have the same friend group. We have had so many moments together it’s hard to name a favorite. From middle school to working at McDonalds, and then to attending college together at the University of Louisville. Kristia has always been a really amazing, loyal and caring friend throughout my years of knowing her. I am so honored to be apart of her special day!
Brittany Worthy
Bridesmaid
The year was 1990 and I met Kristia hours after she arrived on Earth. I've been protective over her ever since! When Kris and I were young, our Nya (aka grandmother--but don't tell her I said that) used to try to cook all types of things that we literally couldn't stomach. And Kristia's childhood nickname was called Kris-mas, because it would take her all year to finish her food. One of my fondest memories was us trying to get creative and come up with the most discrete ways to get our food off of our plates (a clean plate was the only way to get dismissed from the table)! We fed it to the dog, wrapped it in napkins to throw it in the trash, put food in our mouths, spit it out in the toilet, cried, faked sick, fell asleep at the table. You name it, we did it. And got caught a lot, too.
Sean Smith
Best Man
My earliest memory of meeting Chris was at a track meet where he was wearing a flannel shirt- a tiny flannel shirt. It wasn’t until Chris graduated, we went to Kanye's Glow in the Dark Tour that our friendship was solidified. Chris came into friendship with me at a significant time. All of my friends had girlfriends and wives, and I no longer had people to hang out with and process life. Some of the hardest times I’ve laughed and cried Chris has been there. Some of my favorite life experiences to this point, Chris was there. I'm proud of the growth Chris’s family has provided him. Kristia’s truly impressive, and Kyrie's a little energy bender. I'm blessed to do life with the whole family and honored to stand by his side as he and Kristia start a new chapter of love and life together.
Alex Brown
Groomsman
My first memories of Chris are MY first memories period. Chris is one month younger than me, and we have been in each other's lives since we could walk. His Dad and my Dad were good friends, so we always did everything together. My earliest memories would have to be going to Louisville Redbirds triple-A baseball games at the now-demolished Cardinal Stadium. Some nights they would have specials, and you could take down 4 dogs and 5 cokes for less than $3. We would gorge ourselves, run up and down the stairs repeatedly, heckle players, and beg them for baseballs. No matter what we were doing, I always knew I had my brothers, Chris and Andrew, to experience it with. My prayer is that our sons, Noah, Kyrie, and Calvin can grow up the same way.
Andrew Brown
Groomsman
I honestly don’t remember the first time I met Chris, not even a little bit. I’m quite sure that he doesn’t remember either. Chris has just always been there. Whether it was a Wrestling pay-per-view, little league game, Thunder Over Louisville, or a milestone moment like marriage, we’ve always been by each other’s side. From failed trips to see fireworks in Cinci as kids with my brother and dad- and it was a total fail, with trash scattered on the ground where the event took place as we were a day late- to bumping Hot Boy$ CDs and dressing foolishly, I could share countless other stories about the times spent with my Dad, brother, and Chris, but I’ll save them because we aren’t done making memories yet.
Adam Clark
Groomsman
There’s debate as to when EXACTLY I met Chris. Rumor has it we met at an EKU twilight meet. According to Facebook, meeting Chris was the first thing I ever did in life, which feels accurate. What I know for certain is that from the beginning, Chris and I were partners-in-crime. Centre knows this for sure, unfortunately! Through all the shenanigans and good times, Chris has been “down to ride;” willing to shoulder your burden, stand beside you to face your worst demons or most daunting odds to his peril. This sentiment captures the most important aspect of friendship and is why Chris and I have always been close. I can tell Kristia and Chris are down to ride for each other no matter the weather. I couldn’t be happier for them. I'm so glad they found each other, and wish them all the best.
DeShawn Collett
Groomsman
I've known Chris for a long time now, and we've had more good times than JJ. Yup. I guess you could say that the kid is DYNOMIIIIITE!
Rob King
Groomsman
Chris was on a visit to Centre and came to a twilight track meet at EKU. Before a competition, I didn’t consort with fans or media, but I was moved to interact with Chris. We only chatted for a few minutes. I remember thinking, “He’s a great guy, but I’ll never see this kid again." See, I was Senior and on my way out the door. In subsequent years, I’d come to visit Centre and would run into Chris. We’d chat and became closer. I wasn’t 100% sure it was him until I heard someone call him TS for Tiny Shirt. After college, I had the pleasure of taking many trips with Chris. We’ve had serious conversations and our share of endless laughter. He’s grown into a caring father, passionate educator, and role model for many. I’m excited to see him continue to grow as a loving husband.
Brandon Lee
Groomsman
It didn’t take long for folks to notice my bio was missing. “I figured it’s impossible to put into words yalls relationship lol”- which arguably said it better than I will. I cherish so many memories with Chris; it’s hard even to recall the early ones. Chris is one of the first real friendships I made at Centre, and he’s proven to be one of the best friends I’ve ever made. I look forward to watching and supporting his family as they grow into the future. All my best, buddy.
Spencer McKiness
Groomsman
I don't exactly remember how I met Chris, maybe through a group chat of Centre college graduates. However, I do remember how we got to know each other. We are both Centre grads from Louisville, but never actually went to school together. I was a UofL football season ticket holder, and I always had an extra seat I offered up to anyone in the group. Chris always wanted to go. We bonded over our love of football, so much so that fans around us thought Chris was my son. There is only a 6-year difference between us, but hey, family is family.
Kevin Tytus
Groomsman
I met Christopher Radford my senior year at Centre. I got a call from Vonda Drinkard telling me she had a great student interested in Centre, and that I needed to take care of him because he’d do well. She said, “He’s a lot like you but a little wild, so show him right, Tytus”. She was mostly correct! This skinny kid with boundless energy fit right in except for that short red flannel shirt. We hit it off, and he ended up coming to Centre. He may not have if he knew I was going to be his DB coach! Chris worked hard, played hard, and he’s been not only a former player of mine, but a brother since then.
Jeremy Ware
Groomsman
I must've met Chris in preseason of football, but all I remember about that time is the struggle to make it from one practice to the next. Once the season starts, life doesn't get easier. Instead, you must balance football and class. That struggle and many Cowan late nights form bonds. One thing that was obvious about Chris from the start is his sense of humor. He'll make you laugh uncontrollably and laugh with you. This was vital given that I lived in the Walnut house; a theatre of the absurd held together by Halo, strange personalities, and even weirder cartoons. Many nights Chris would bring his "Buddy Cup." We didn’t even make it literally across the street to the parties because we were having so much fun. Chris is that same guy today, a brother ready to go to the looney bin with you.
BJ Wright
Groomsman
We first crossed paths at JCTMS in 1998. We didn’t share classes, but I couldn’t help but notice the 5’ 3” 110 lb kid walking the halls with the presence of well seasoned 6’ 2” 225 pound NFL linebacker. It would be several years before we'd reunite at Centre as teammates. Throughout our collegiate experience, we shared a lockerroom, classes, living space, and more. Kendrick Lamar's “Swimming Pools” could’ve been our theme song our Senior yr lol. It seems like we shared everything, and through that experience, I found a true brother. Years later, I’m sharing an experience with my brother in seeing him solidify his relationship through marriage. I’m proud of him and believe there is much more awaiting him and his family in the future. Peace, love, and power.
TC Thomason
Usher
We’ve walked and walked and walked - an Odyssey Amerigo Vespucci would loathe enduring. And though we met as young men, we’ve grown up together, too. I’ve learned a lot from Chris. Cheers to old memories and looking forward to new ones. I celebrate The Radfords. But not too hard - I’ve gotta go to work in 2 days.