Rachel & Seth

Abbey Downes - The Maid of Honor

Rachel met Abbey when she went to audition for the Big Red Marching Band during her first week at Cornell. Rachel was quite nervous at first since she didn’t know anyone there. When she arrived, Abbey pulled her aside to ask her some basic questions before hopping on a drum. One of the first questions out of Abbey’s mouth instantly puts Rachel’s nerves at ease - “Why do you hate soccer?”

Rachel is thinking “How does she know that I hate soccer?” but instantly knew that she had found her people.

After Rachel graduated, she and Abbey stayed close friends, with Abbey even getting a job at the same place as Rachel after her own graduation. They saw each other daily and still would hang out after work, spending many nights playing video games on Abbey’s couch.

Abbey is now pursuing dental school, and Rachel looks forward to the Friends and Family discount on dental care in the years to come.

Brooke McKesson - Bridesmaid

Rachel met Brooke during preschool - and quite frankly, Rachel can’t recall her first memory of Brooke. Brooke has always been a core figure in Rachel’s life, going on every childhood vacation together and watching movies during a plethora of sleepovers. Rachel and Brooke only got to go to preschool and elementary school together, which was probably in everyone’s best interest despite the cause simply being school zoning.

Rachel and Brooke did everything together. As they grew up together, they shifted from roller coaster enthusiasts as kids to singer-obsessed teenagers. They had countless sleepovers and road trips, many of which involved watching Adam-Sandler-troupe movies with humor they pretended to understand (they do now).

Some of Rachel’s favorite memories with Brooke are driving around her grandparents’ golf cart at the river and taking neighborhood dogs along for the ride. As adults, Rachel and Brooke don’t get to do everything together anymore (boo), but they are still sisters.

Brooke also serves as Rachel’s long-term memory, being as sharp as a tack and remembering details from events 2 decades ago.

Cristin Wyrick - Bridesmaid

Rachel met Cristin at daycare during elementary school. Cristin was the first person named “Cristin” that Rachel ever met, and for the first few days of daycare, she thought that Cristin’s name was actually Christian. Cristin was the troublemaker at daycare, whereas Rachel liked to follow the rules to a T, but they do say that opposites attract. Rachel and Cristin became fast friends, doing everything from art to archery together.

As Rachel and Cristin got older, their parents decided “Eh, they can watch each other” and were no longer in daycare, but spent every day of the summer home alone together. They were together during the first earthquake they experienced, and held tight to each other on the couch thinking they were going to die (it was a 5.8 magnitude earthquake that originated 1.5 hrs away, so they most certainly did not die).

Cristin reminds Rachel to go watch the sunset.

Sam Tinsley - Bridesmaid

Rachel met Sam early into her second year of work. Sam took a job at the place Rachel was working in Ithaca, NY. Sam and Rachel bonded over daily wins and struggles, being dog moms, and a love of weird science (check out the Health Museum in Houston).

One of Rachel’s favorite memories of Sam is getting a mountain of soft serve in a deconstructed cinnamon roll in the heat of Texas, then having to slam it to avoid a melty mess - right before dinner.

Sam has not been successful at convincing Rachel to get a tattoo.

TJ Sheppard - The Best Man

Seth met TJ when he went to audition for the Big Red Marching Band during his sophomore year at Cornell. Seth and TJ played the same size bass drum and thus played the same parts, so you could say it was destined that they follow the beat to the same drum.

TJ taught Seth a lot when they lived in Ithaca at the same time. Early in their friendship, TJ taught Seth how to take a shot - figuratively and literally. TJ put in some elbow grease trying to get Seth to ask Rachel out.

One of Seth’s favorite memories with TJ is playing Phase 10 at Abbey’s family’s cabin in the mountains.

Coby Norman - Groomsman

Seth met Coby when Coby was born. In fact, Seth was asked for his vote on what to name Coby. Seth pitched “Sillyhead,” which clearly was not a winner. He also wanted Coby to be a girl, so there was a lot that Seth had to come to terms with upon meeting Coby.

As the two grew up, they let their imaginations run wild together. One of Seth’s favorite childhood memories with Coby is pretending to be werewolves in their backyard playground.

Now that Seth and Coby have grown up, they’ve gone from playing make-believe to more serious conversations, such as how best to delegate troops in Risk.

Coby will tell you how Chick Fil A chicken gets made if you ask nicely.

Lance Norman - Groomsman

Seth met Lance when Lance was born. Seth was not asked what he thought Lance should be named.

Chat, Lance is lowkey the rizzler of the timeline, main-character energy on 100, drip immaculate, brain actually goated, vibes permanently bussin’, no cap, built different, certified sigma, and somehow still wholesome-core while casually speedrunning life like it’s Fortnite creative mode.

Sean Medin - Groomsman

Seth met Sean when he helped Rachel put together the ping pong table. Sean was one of Rachel’s roommates in Ithaca, and helped break in the newly built ping pong table - and absolutely crushed Seth and Rachel.

Sean is an ice cream aficionado. Seth, Rachel, and Sean had many outings to Purity Ice Cream. Sean can likely repeat their entire menu to you.

Rachel is going to force Sean to wear pants instead of shorts at the wedding.