The Wedding Party
Todd, Man of Honor
Marla’s best friend.
We met through our mutual friend, Eltony.
We have different accounts of our first interaction, but love where we have ended up.
Todd leveled up his cooking game during the COVID -19 days; those meals and conversations were so special.
We can stay on the phone for hours.
He usually takes Lalo’s side.
Ask Todd about cool spots all over Los Angeles. Every time I visit, he makes it feel like a new city.
Vaughn, Bridesmaid
Marla’s sister.
We shared a bedroom as an ENFP (me) and an INFP (Vaughn) growing up, so we were more in survival mode, but we made it! I can’t go a day without talking to her; I’m so grateful for our close bond and deep friendship.
She and Lalo have become fast friends; he drives her to facial appointments, and she pretends she’s been kidnapped.
Vaughn cooks delicious chile verde con puerco and seafood gumbo.
Ask her about the Bachelor, Bachelorette, and Bella Noche.
Chris, Best Man
Lalo and Marla’s close friend.
Chris was one of the first people I met when I moved to Ithaca in October 2024 and added me to the Old Man Coffee Time group chat, welcoming me into the Collective.
Chris always has a witty comeback.
Chris and Marla joke like teenage boys.
He makes a delicious fried chicken.
He can impress you with big words, which I usually have to look up and save for use on Fridays.
Ask Chris about his carpentry skills and the hunt for the best donut.
Mitchell, Groomsman
Marla’s brother.
I was very nervous about meeting the family for the first time. Within minutes of meeting Mitchell, my nerves went away. He welcomed me in because he could see Marla was happy.
He is a great dad to Avani (our flower girl).
Marla has a soft spot for her little brother and sometimes forgets he is in his thirties, but I see why she cares; he is such a good guy.
Ask him about his wife, Jamie, her family’s epic Fourth of July party, and University of Michigan football (He is more obsessed with Michigan than Marla).
Avani, Flower Girl
Our niece.
She might upstage the wedding; she is that cute.
Avani will likely talk to everyone at the wedding.
She is curious and a veterinarian in the making. I am working on getting her an internship with Bindi Irwin.
We could not be more enamored of a child than we are of Avani.
Ask her about frogs, toads, insects, and wildlife.
Elizabeth, Lindsay, Shanna & Christie, Ring Bearers
Four ring bearers?! How does that work? It will be a surprise, but in the meantime, let me tell you about these ladies.
Marla’s chosen sisters.
I’ve known Elizabeth (Liz), Lindsay, and Shanna since age 12 when we met in middle school (Mighty, mighty Pegasi!).
Christie and I met during Entrada, a college summer program. Shortly after Entrada, we decided to become college roommates.
Their kids call me auntie.
There are so many memories, stories, tears, prayers, and love between us.
Ask Liz about our late-night drive from Ann Arbor.
Ask Shanna to rap Salt-N-Pepa’s Shoop.
Ask Lindsay about and then introduce you to the members of XS.
Ask Christie about our nights at the Sierra Room.
