Kristyn & Jenniffer
Wedding Party
Luke and Zack Shocklee
Men of Honor
"But can we still make gay jokes?" My brothers and my best friends. I am so thankful for the relationship we have now. As badly as I wanted a sister, they made up for it but playing dress up with me, letting me do their makeup and playing Barbies with me – they were the best sisters I never had. I took them to get their first tattoos, we had weekly bar nights, went floating and camping together, etc. When I moved to Columbia, they didn’t hesitate to help, and even drove the U-Haul. Some of my best memories I’ve made, have been with them. To say I’m proud of them is an understatement. Even though they’re younger, I look up to them, both physically and figuratively. Favorite memory with Luke: Watching my BABY BROTHER become a father has been the most wonderful, incredible, heartwarming, experience of my life. The way he is with his boys, it’s truly remarkable. Watching him chase Easton around the house, and then watching how sweet he is with Hayden, it’s truly the best thing. Favorite memory with Zack: I’m honestly not sure how it started, but one “quick” Target run turned into a few hours at Starbucks and the next thing we knew, Wednesday Starbucks dates were our thing. No matter what was going on in our lives, we never missed a Wednesday. (Except the ONE week he was out of town for work.) I looked forward to this week after week, just being able to spend time with him. This tradition lasted over a year, and it’s something I’ll never forget.
Andi McAvoy
Bridesmaid
"I don't want to adult today. Take me to Disney!" Andi is my cousin by blood, but has been more of a big sister throughout my life. She’s taken me in several times without hesitation, and always knew how to pick me up. She tells it as it is, would do anything for the people she loves and would give you the shirt off her back. She’s the best mom and fiercest PTA baddie out there. She hates sand (even though she lives in Florida) but will sit on the beach with her boys. She hates affection but gives the biggest hugs (even though they may be forced). Disney is our happy place and because of her, Florida is my second home. She’s one of the strongest women I know and I’m so thankful to have her in my life. Favorite memory: I surprised Andi and her family at Disney at “Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.” I remember Andi and Colten were dressed as Superman and Brad and little Brad were dressed as Ninja Turtles. Another favorite memory was our bake off at Christmas time. I think we got more flour on each other than in the actual desserts.
Kathleen Barnes
Best Woman
"Can I get some chocolate ship pancakes?" Kathleen is my longest friendship. We met in 2003 and got close in 2005. She is the reason I made it through middle school. We were in girl scouts together, we played softball together for YEARS, we graduated 8th grade together and started high school together. We were there for each other for all the highs and lows, the breakups and makeups, the laughs and tears. As adults, we’ve worked together, worked OUT together, we’ve taken road trips, gone to concerts together and gone on multiple camping/float trips together. She’s always down for a jam session in the car or a random girl’s day/weekend. Forever my PWB! Favorite memory: This is a hard one because we’ve made so many memories. Our Tuesday Applebee’s dates for $5 Bahama Mamas followed with more drinks and the appetizer platter at Hot Shots. Or being her Maid of Honor when she married her soulmate. Or when we met JoJo together! I think though, my favorite memory would be meeting Maelah for the first time. She’s Kathleen’s twin – her cheeks, her smile, her personality. Watching Kathleen with her baby girl, has been so rewarding, so amazing. Everything we dreamt of since middle school, is happening.
Amanda Trujillo-Gay
Bridesmaid
“Did someone say road trip?” Tell her you’re going anywhere and she’ll have a bag packed so fast and be in your back seat before your own bags are even packed. But dare you say it’s a girl’s night on the town, you’ll be waiting three hours for her to get those eyelashes right. I’ve known Amanda since grade school but we became friends later in life, after running into each other at a bar: “No way you’re Jenniffer Forsee!” “I can’t believe you’re her!” We spent every day together that summer. Shortly after that, I took off to chase love across the country but every time I came back home, she’d be right there on my door step like I never left. No matter the distance or the craziness I put her through, she has always been by my side. I’ve watched Amanda become a mom, a wife and a career driven woman. No matter what role she is taking on, she gives you her all. She is not only my friend but I consider her family. Favorite memory: Amanda is the best bad influence. She talked me into buying a plane ticket to Texas as soon as I got back from Florida; our first trip just the two of us. From horseback riding along the beach, to driving a sling shot around the island as we indulged in all the food and alcohol we could get our hands on.
Carmen McCullers
Bridesmaid
"He was yodeling in the valley!" I met Carmen freshman year and let’s just say, we didn’t hit it off immediately. However, by the end of senior year, we were inseparable. She was my other half and we were ALWAYS together. We started our first jobs together and whenever we worked together, not much work ever got done. Even on our days off, we’d go to the store and hang out in the parking lot, or walk around and talk to our co-workers. She’s the one who got me into Taylor Swift and just like that, my Taylor “obsession” bloomed. We went to every school dance together, were professional Rock Band players and had countless sleepovers. Carmen has the best (and loudest) personality, the most contagious laugh and she just makes everything fun. There’s never a dull moment when Carmen is around. Favorite memory: Experiencing a Taylor Swift concert together is something I’ll never forget. Singing (screaming) our hearts out, dancing, crying, sharing those moments with her, was such an incredible experience and I am hopeful we'll be able to see her again next year! Another favorite memory was watching her marry her high school sweetheart. Her day was totally, completely and uniquely her and I am so honored that I was able to be there on the biggest day of her life.
Sarah Padilla
Bridesmaid
The "crazy cat lady." I met Sarah at 54th Street and she quickly became my work mom. We definitely butted heads at times and I always knew when she needed a cigarette break, but we quickly bonded over our love for Harry Potter and Florida. I admired her for always telling it as it is. She’s caring, she’s a great listener, we can talk about literally anything, she gives the best advice and she’s always there. Favorite memory: While Sarah was in town for wedding dress shopping, we made a TikTok and no matter how many weird things I added or made her do, she went along with my ideas. We got messy, had 3 wardrobe changes, and Sarah even peed herself laughing so hard. It was the perfect ending to the perfect weekend and even though we didn’t go viral, I’ll forever have the videos (and outtakes) to look back at and laugh at.
Brittany Seay
Bridesmaid
"Dress code is business casual. So, I can wear my crop top and booty shorts? Perfect!" I met Brittany in high school and we got really close senior year, just in time for her to move to California. When she moved back a few years later, we picked right up where we left off and started to get even closer. I’ve had the privilege of watching her daughter grow up – from changing Peyton’s diapers, to celebrating her birthdays, to her teaching us “old” people how to do TikTok dances, to her just hanging out with us at girls’ nights. Brittany is the best mom and has been such an inspiration to me. She may show up late, half dressed, with a bottle of Titos, but she’s always there. She’s strong, intelligent, dedicated, driven and is always thinking of how to be better. Admirable. Favorite memory: I never thought I’d ever say these words, but I loved working out with Brittany. When Brittany started “Body by Britt” I knew it was my chance to take hold of my life again. Brittany pushed me to my limits, sometimes past those limits, and I started to gain my confidence back. I started actually looking forward to the gym each week and it’s one of the biggest things I miss about home, since I moved. One thing she’d always say is “your mind gives up before your body does,” and I think about that all the time, in all aspects of my life. I’m BEYOND proud of her for this brand she’s created and I’m forever thankful for everything she’s taught me.
Megan Minnis
Bridesmaid
"May your coffee be stronger than your toddler." Megan and I have known each other for what seems like forever now and within a short period of time, she's become to mean everything to me. Megan was my first friend in our “friend circle” from 54th Street; she’s the one who introduced me to the group. We bonded over our love for the Chiefs and Royals. Seeing her journey progress from working behind the bar, to walking down the aisle, to a mom of two beautiful boys, to teaching young minds; she has accomplished it all. There may be miles between us now, but I always look forward to her family Christmas cards around the tree. A coffee in one hand, and a kid in the other, Megan is truly inspiring. Favorite memory: Megan's wedding: Dancing the night away with all my favorite people. It's because of friends like you, Kansas City will forever have a piece of me.
Jessica Shocklee
Bridesmaid
"Your movie knowledge is literal trash and you're judging ME?" I've loved Jessica since high school when she and Luke were just friends, even though I and everyone who knew them, knew they’d end up together. I stood next to her when she married my brother and she birthed the perfect human who is my nephew. Jess is always down for a Halloween movie marathon, a good Shakira song (Jess sings it better) and judges me for my lack of knowledge of Disney moves. She has the best laugh, pronounces words weird (punkin (pumpkin), escited (excited), etc.) and is one of the most trustworthy people I know. Favorite memory: We saw Wicked together at the Fox Theater and I feel like that was a huge turning point in our relationship. The musical was amazing but spending time together, just the two of us, was even better. I quickly learned the soundtrack to sing it along with her, and that we did (and do). Another memory was when she surprised me at my house one Saturday – for no reason other than I was homesick and she knew it. The fact that she was able to surprise me without me being suspicious or figuring it out (we talk/snapchat literally every day) was so impressive and it was the best, unexpected visit.
Brittney Hoffman
Bridesmaid
"I make milk, what's your superpower?" Brittney has the most contagious laugh of anyone I’ve ever met. Even though she lives the furthest away (for now), when she comes into town, we pick up right where we left off. I was sincerely sad to see her go at work, but I love how family oriented she is. Brittney may be outnumbered by a house full of boys now, but she definitely knows how to rock the cape of Super Mom! Not only does she know how to throw a kid's birthday party, but she's also a beast in the kitchen. I love that she can make fun of herself and be silly. I feel like I've only ever known pregnant Brittney, and even with miles between us, we've always stayed friends. Favorite memory: I’ll never forget all the dinners we had at her house. She’d cook, and I’d plot how to steal her dishes (because they were SO CUTE!) Then afterwards Avery and I would play with playdough. I can't wait to continue to make memories, when she moves back home.
Nicole Shocklee
Bridesmaid
"Okay, we'll go left first, then right, then forward, like we're on a rollercoaster! Got it?" I knew Nicole was special the first time I met her. I remember saying “that girl has her shit together” and when I found out she was the girl my brother was interested in, I was relieved. Before Nicole, Zack never wanted to travel and he was extra frugal about money, and she quickly changed that about him. They travel a lot, they have had so many new experiences together and I am so thankful she brought that side out in him; he’s happy and free now. Nicole is thoughtful, creative and talented. She’s super easy to talk to, can make you laugh without even trying and always has a clever comeback for everything. Favorite memory: There's never a dull moment when Nicole's around. At our cousin's 40th birthday party, Nicole, Jenniffer and I spent the majority of the night in the photo booth and Nicole directed all of our pictures in the most creative and hilarious ways. We laughed so hard, and those pictures are truly one of a kind. After the party, we walked down the street to the corner bar and the entire walk was filled with laugher and questionable dancing. It's a night I'll never forget, and I can't wait to do it all over again at my wedding.
Maleia Ko
Bridesmaid
"Wanna go to the mall and get Starbucks?" Maleia was the first great grandbaby in our family. As we lived in St. Louis and she lived in Colorado, it took a while for her to warm up to me, but once she did, we were best buddies. From painting our nails, to staying up all night long talking, to watching scary movies, we were always inseparable when I visited. Fast forward 19 years and she’s one of my favorite people in the entire world. Watching her grow into the beautiful, intelligent, well-rounded woman she is today, has been so surreal. I love her as if she was my own child and she continues to make me so proud and impress me every time we talk. I feel honored to have her as my cousin and even more honored that she’s going to stand with me on the biggest day of my life. I couldn't imagine getting married without her by my side. Favorite memory: We have almost 20 years of memories but I think my favorite is when I surprised her and flew to Colorado for her 16th birthday. The look on her face when she saw me, is something I’ll never forget. Being able to surprise her and be there to celebrate this huge milestone birthday with her, was incredible.