Wedding Party
Jennifer Lee
Matron of Honor
Favorite Book: Murder on the Orient Express (Agatha Christie) Jennie and I met at our neighboring lockers as shy incoming sixth graders at Timberview Middle School in Colorado. After I moved away sophomore year of high school, we kept in touch over the years through phone calls, emails, letters, texts, and visits. As adults we've adventured together on vacations and been there through teenage hormones, college stress, emerging careers, seen each other through difficult and happy times- and now share in the joy of seeing each other meet and marry our spouses. I'm honored to have Jennie stand up as next to me as my matron of honor.
Zachary Keller
Best Man
Favorite Book: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins The man, the myth, the legend... it's hard to grow up as the youngest but it's so easy to do so when Zack is your older brother. Much of the man I am today and even the work I've done over the years all started because growing up as a sensitive, "feeling" boy was eased by having an older brother who not only "got it" but was so much like me. To honor him, I have finished what he started; he mentored me and cared for me when I was young, now I'm paying it forward with all the teens and kids I've known and worked with. Funny, accommodating, selfless, charming, kind... my brother is all of these things and so many more adjectives that could fill up this entire page. I love him, and I am so honored to know he will be beside me on this, the most important day of my life.
Heather March
Bridesmaid and Photographer
Favorite Book: The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd Heather is a testament to the fact that sometimes, Craigslist roommates DO work out! Heather has been my friend, roommate (and Cooper's Aunt) for four years in Corvallis, Oregon. Our home life has consisted of living room dance parties, fancy girl's nights with charcuterie boards, Hallmark Christmas movie marathons, Heather killing spiders for me, us trying to save garden veggies from dying each summer, heartfelt talks until midnight, and me trying to curb Heather's house-plant shopping addiction before our home turns fully into a jungle. I am so grateful for Heather's fiercely supportive friendship.
Eddie Felan
Groomsman
Favorite Book: Wild Sheep Chase by Murakami Eddie brings joy wherever he goes. Whether through his laugh, making you laugh, or making the whole company laugh, Eddie knows exactly what energy to give to brighten everyone's day. On top of that, Eddie is reliable. Starting all the way in grade school when I was peer pressured into all sorts of adolescent hijinks, to the numerous years spent in Portland keeping in touch, surviving our 20s, and commiserating about Battlefront II, Mario Tennis, and more, what Eddie has always done as well as any other man I've known is watch my back. He is a loyal friend, honestly kind, and thoroughly committed to being a good person through and through. I'm so glad he will be beside me today.
Keri Nguyen
Bridesmaid
Favorite Book: My Life in France by Julia Child Keri and I met through Bethany Church in Seattle, in that awkward period mid 20's after college when you realize you're now in "the real world" and it starts to get challenging to find meaningful friendships. Keri is one of the most intentional and steadfast friends I've known, and supported me as we navigated some stressful years working in social services jobs. Together we explored Seattle's top coffee shops, experimented with baking yummy treats (Keri is vastly more talented in this arena!), and bonded on an epic road trip through California before both going to grad school. I am so excited to have her as my bridesmaid!
Lukas Korynta
Groomsman
Favorite book: The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery Lukas was the cool guy at my community group when we first met. And it drove me nuts. I wanted to be the funny guy, the interesting guy, the guy with the best things to say. The funny thing is Lukas thought the same of me. Probably neither of us were the "cool guy." Through years of NBA 2k, surviving the pandemic with him, Grace, and Jesse pez, and late night discussions where time seemed altogether unimportant, Lukas has become one of the closest friends I've had the pleasure of knowing. His Lukas-isms make me smirk: his constant complaints about a "draft" in the room, his tenacious competitiveness, his nonstop punning (something I picked up from him)... Lukas is someone that, when you meet him, it is impossible to forget him.
Brooke Keller
Bridesmaid
Favorite Book: A Return to Love by Marianne Williamson Brooke is a big softie; don't let her fierceness fool you. In fact, the wonderful fierceness she has comes from softness, not the other way around. When push comes to shove and I need someone to confide in, trust in, or rely on, I can't think of anyone else more reliable than my sister. The rebel spirit is alive and well in us (Zack too) and we have bonded our whole lives over not fitting norms, liking and loving precisely what we like and love, and being authentic before being anything else. Some of the richest discussions of my life pertaining to life, spirituality, God, philosophy, politics, arts... are the norm with my sister. When we were younger, she pushed me to toughen me, a thing I didn't understand at the time. But she played a huge part in helping mold me into the man I am today. Alexis and I are proud to have her in our party.
Vince Feeley
Groomsman
Favorite Book: Dragon's Blood by Jane Yolk VinnyDoCuzHeDUZ... partnered with ObiwanCalobi182. The most dynamic gaming duo of all time. It all started with him going on and on about Halo 3 and the map Guardian. That sealed our friendship. That and nights of pizza, IPAs, board games, surviving harrowing romances (all past tense, thank you God), and figuring out what friendship in the 2010s is supposed to be between two dudes who lived thousands of miles away. Nevertheless, here we are. With Vince, I found a friend who could listen, for hours and hours and hours, about all my existential misgivings, my life epiphanies, and all of the hundreds of things in between. The saying "a man of few words" applies to Vince but in the best ways. When he speaks, it's always worth listening to.
Evan Merculief
Officiant
Favorite Book: Love your God with all your Mind by J.P. Moreland I met Evan on July 6th, 1995 when I peered over the top of a hospital bassinet at my little brother, freshly "removed" (as he likes to say, as a C-section baby). Evan and I have been side by side on family vacations and camping trips; dutifully attended each other's school band concerts, plays, and graduations- and we can simultaneously quote all the same Spongebob references at any moment. Evan also put up with me dressing him up to put on shows in our living room as a child, and taking endless selfies when I was a teen. He's grown into a truly incredible man of God, someone I respect and love to have deep conversations about philosophy and theology with. Caleb and I are honored to have Evan officiate our wedding.
Cooper Merculief-Keller
Dog of Honor
Favorite activity: chasing squirrels Alexis adopted Cooper from a Texas shelter in October of 2020. As a pandemic puppy, he gave Alexis companionship, love, and goofy antics that helped her through the isolation of Covid life. Together they worked through some of Cooper's fears as he grew into the silly, fun-loving, smart and playful buddy that he is today. When Alexis started dating Caleb, he was a little wary at first- booping their hands apart with his nose when they held hands. But, Caleb slowly became one of Cooper's favorite people and he does happy whines for five minutes straight whenever he gets to see his new dad. Cooper will not be a part of the wedding day but is so excited to start his life with his new family :)
Caleb Keller
Groom
Favorite book: The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky After a month of hour-long phone calls with nervous laughs, surprisingly deep conversations, and tentative flirting- I met Caleb as I stepped out of my car for our first date at Laurelhurst Park. He was waiting with coffee (immediate bonus points), and ever since that first smile I knew I was stepping into a new and special chapter of my life. Caleb is so much more than I expected- thoughtful, endlessly curious, faithful, intelligent, passionate, introspective, generous, genuine, goofy. He has a heart for justice, seeks truth in the middle of chaos, and is constantly dedicated to being a better man and partner. Loving him and being loved by him has helped me grow; I have learned to be simultaneously more brave and more vulnerable- and I am a better person for knowing him. It took a while to find you Caleb... and now I'm not letting you go :) I can't wait to turn the page as we get to write the rest of our chapters together. -Alexis
Alexis Merculief
Bride
Favorite Book: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte When I first met Alexis, I was struck on all fronts. There was brilliance, beauty, even her own feminine version of brawn. But where her and I were linked from the start is our desire for the betterment in life; betterment for others, for the world, for the church, for the disenfranchised, and the list goes on. On top of all those core things, Alexis is my friend, my partner, my lover, my dork, my confidante. Spontaneous dancing, ongoing inside joking, seamless merging, it's all been a whirlwind being with her that I never want to end and am glad never will. I crave depth in life in every way and Alexis is a well that never runs dry. She brings out the best in me and nurses, counsels, and holds the worst. I can't believe that on this day I start forever with her over one kiss, Korean fusion, several dances, and a new house with our Cooper booper. I love you and I can't wait to find a thousand more ways to tell you I do. - Caleb