Meet the Wedding Party, Part 1

I thought it might be fun to write a few blogs and introduce our wedding party. (Be patient with me, I'm going to do this in phases, we have a rather large wedding party!) These people are our closest friends and have impacted our lives tremendously...we are so thankful for the role they've played in our lives as friends, and as mentors and cheerleaders as our relationship grew. I apologize that I don't have pictures of everyone - especially the guys! Apparently guys don't take pictures of each other the way girls do?

BRIDESMAIDS
Jenna Mathew
Jenna and I knew each other in Emmaus days, but didn't become close until she moved back to Dubuque a few years ago. We bonded over beaded jewelry and lo-o-o-ng walks around Dubuque, talking about everything! Jenna is a genuine, sweet, and thoughtful friend. Jenna also has the spiritual gift of encouragement - she is one of my biggest fans, always excited about what's going on in my life. She was so excited for me when Jason and I had our first date - at the end of the evening when I checked my cell phone, I had five missed calls and three voicemails from her! She also suffered six hours of wedding dress shopping with me while she was seven months pregnant - what a trooper! Jenna and her husband, Ben, have a newborn son, Elias, and live in Dubuque. Stephanie Esson
Steph was another acquaintance from Emmaus, but we didn't become close until she moved to Dubuque and started a teaching job. It didn't take long for our friendship to form, and becoming roommates for a year just sealed the deal! Steph and I would laugh and giggle and paint our nails and watch "Friends" together for hours (we still do!) Steph and her husband, Matt, live in Miramichi, New Brunswick. Steph and Matt are the main reason that Jason and I even started talking. When they were still dating, Matt would invite Jason over to our place every once in awhile. We all took a road trip to Chicago for an Easter service two years ago, and that was the first time Jason and I even had a conversation! I'd like to say the rest is history, but it still took him another eight months to ask me out! Almost two years ago, I had the privelege of being a bridesmaid in Steph's wedding - and I can honestly say that standing up in her wedding was one of the proudest moments of my life. Steph is a huge source of joy in my life! Shannon DeArment
Shannon is married to my brother, Nathan, and I couldn't have handpicked a better match for my big brother! Shannon and I can talk about anything, and we see eye-to-eye on everything! She fits in our family perfectly. I love her to pieces, I've never had a sister and I wouldn't trade our relationship for anything. Shannon is completely excited about every single wedding detail - she might be more excited about the wedding than I am! She is also the mother of Addison and Reese, my two favorite princesses in the whole wide world! Shannon manages to juggle two toddlers, a hubby, a household, and a job. She's a hero as far as I am concerned! Nathan, Shannon, and the girls live in Atlantic just a couple of blocks away from my parents.Amanda Johnson - Junior Bridesmaid
I am proud to say that I have had the privelege of changing Amanda's diapers :) She's been my little friend ever since I was introduced to her family (when I was a senior in high school, and Amanda was 2 years old!). Amanda is the daughter of Stefan and Linda Johnson (you will hear more about them in a later post). She is in the eighth grade at Atlantic High School. She loves the Lord, soccer, chatting on the computer, music, babysitting, just to name a few. I love seeing what the Lord is doing in her life! Amanda and I actually toured the western Carribbean together! In October of 2005, Amanda was allowed to go with me (without her parents!) on a cruise for seven days. We had such a blast - she was a great travel partner!
Another post coming soon! More bridesmaids! More junior bridesmaids! Don't forget the Groomsmen! Stay tuned!