Bridal Party

Valerie Bride

Joe Groom

Mike Officiant: Mike is Joe’s younger brother who has always been there for him. He has always been a caring person who wanted to help others. This trait will serve him well when he begins his studies to become a Rabbi. He has helped us greatly with the wedding planning as he is going through the same process with his fiancée, Erica. They will marry in May of 2009. Visit Mike and Erica's wedding website.

Shiuan Maid of Honor: Shiuan and Valerie have known each other as early as Chinese School. Their long lasting link has allowed them to develop a close friendship, making it an easy decision to ask Shiuan to be the Maid of Honor. Though they are now separated by thousands of miles, they still make a strong effort to continually encourage each other and stay connected. Recent accomplishments in Shiuan’s words: I completed my doctoral degree August 2008 from Regis University. I work as a home care physical therapist, have two black lab mutts (Sage age 7, and Ollie age 2.5) and have owned my home for 4 years.
Pauline Bridesmaid: Pauline is Valerie’s cousin and they grew up together in Colorado. Among innumerable memories, one of Valerie’s favorite with Pauline is their trip to Taiwan: Love Boat style. Keepsakes from the trip include a portfolio of “glamour shots” and pictures of their dance performance in the Love Boat skit. Recent accomplishments in Pauline’s words: Pauline got her B.S. degree at CU Boulder in Aerospace Engineering. After graduation, Pauline moved to Pasadena, CA to work for the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. She has been working there since 2001 and currently lives with her husband Ben, and her 2 cats (Deimos and Phobos) in Sierra Madre, CA.
Som Bridesmaid: Som and Valerie have been close friends since high school. They were also roommates in college. One of Valerie’s favorite memories with Som was taking a college biology course together during their senior year of high school. They enjoyed being the youngest and superstar students of the class. Recent accomplishments in Som’s words: Completed Physician’s Assistant School, moved to Houston for a position in a Neurosurgical ICU, bought a house in Houston, got engaged to Jeff, and moved back to Denver for a position in the Neurosurgery department and to be closer to family.
Thuy Bridesmaid: Thuy and Valerie were roommates and graduated together from Pharmacy School. Valerie’s favorite memory as roommates was standing in the doorways of their rooms to have middle of the night conversations about life. Recent accomplishments in Thuy’s words: “World’s Best Wife” and pharmacist in charge at Fruth Pharmacy; maintaining strong friendships, maintaining strong bonds with family despite thousands of miles of separation, learning how to cook on my own for me and my hubby, and finding a company to work for that truly appreciates their employees.
Jane Bridesmaid: Jane and Valerie are friends from college. One of Valerie’s favorite memories with Jane was rock climbing together. It was a bonding experience for Valerie to be at the top of a rock wall and completely trusting that Jane would help her safely repel down. Recent accomplishments in Jane’s words: student (again), closeness to family, climbed 23 of Colorado’s 14ers, I like where I’m at . . . even though I’m still in school and accumulating enormous debt, and I can rap along to Eminem’s “Lose Yourself.”
GaoLou Bridesmaid: GaoLou and Valerie became friends through their friendship with Jane. Memorable moments between them involve running jokes, more often at Valerie’s expense. GaoLou’s fun loving spirit is well appreciated among her family, friends and students. Recent accomplishments in GaoLou’s words: I have successfully sent my square, high resolution, head/shoulder shot with my bio and I know I’m not the last one. I have succeeded in the last 30 years in being a daughter, sister, friend, teacher, aunt, and sometimes pseudo-mom. In brief, I’m kind of a big deal.
Taryn Flower Girl: Taryn is Trevor (Best Man) and Sarah’s oldest daughter. She has two younger sisters named Avery and Jocelyn. Taryn is 6 years old. She LOVES to swim and play soccer. She is a big fan of reading; her newly discovered talent. She and her sisters enjoy watching Tom and Jerry cartoons and playing in the park. She is so excited to be a flower girl in her buddy Joe and Val's wedding.

Trevor Best Man: As one of Joe’s closest friends since college, it was an easy decision to ask him to be the Best Man. As roommates for much of their college experience, they shared many adventures and formed a strong friendship. Trevor, with his wife Sarah and their three beautiful daughters live in Colorado and we always find a time to visit them when we return from Ohio.
Dan Groomsman: Dan is Joe’s youngest brother. His love of fitness, being active, and helping others led him to the career choice of firefighting. After graduating from the University of Montana, Dan immediately started his firefighting studies including getting his EMT-basic. Dan is also an avid hockey player and coach.
Tom Groomsman: Tom is another of Joe’s closest friends. As roommates through medical school, they spent many hours at the local coffee shop studying pages and pages of anatomy and disease. He physically pushed Joe on multiple hiking and backpacking trips throughout Colorado and Utah. Tom continues to reside in Colorado and is a Pediatric Resident with plans of specializing in Gastrointestinal Disease.
Jon Groomsman: Jon is also a great friend of Joe’s from medical school. He shared in most of the study sessions as well other adventures. After graduating, he moved back home to Minnesota where he is completing his residency training in Emergency Medicine. Returning home worked out very well for him as he met his fiancée Katie and they are planning on tying the knot in July of 2009.
Vincent Groomsman: As Valerie’s younger brother, she and Vincent have a very close bond. Just a year younger than Valerie, they grew up together and shared in many of the same adventures. He recently got married to his wife Evania. Vincent enriches the lives of everyone he comes in contact with and as a high school teacher he enjoys educating young students in math.
Vance Groomsman: Vance is Valerie’s youngest brother. Vance is in his senior year of high school and is trying to decide which college he will be attending next fall. He has even expressed interest in possibly following in his future brother-in-laws shoes and pursuing medicine as a career. Vance has always been empathetic and a good listener which will serve him well as he enters adulthood and any career choice he embarks on.
Tanner Ring Bearer: Tanner is Enchi (Valerie’s friend from Chinese School) and Kevin’s son. His younger sister’s name is Gracen. Tanner is 5 years old. All the girls at school call him Tanner-Man. He really enjoys going to school. He will be in Kindergarten this fall. He really likes Karate and is on his way to a 2nd degree black belt. He is currently a white/purple belt in the Little Dragons program. He likes Monster Jam and his favorite truck right now is Donkey Kong (will probably change in a month or so).