TEAM LELA:
Lela K. Patrik | Bride
Tory “Twinkel” Winkelman | Maid of Honor/Forever Friend
>> Tory and Lela have been friends since … forever. They spent so much time together in middle and high school that Tory’s parents bought Lela her own jar of peanut butter to have in the frig. Tory and Lela used to fantasize that one day Tory would wear a pink tuxedo at Lela’s wedding. Although Tory will not grace us with this fashion statement - sad - she is never afraid to put herself out there. She likes to lay down the law and is intensely protective of her friends (she plays the role of the disapproving elder sibling very well). She is also the most honest shopping partner you will ever encounter - that is why she was Lela’s most important ally in the search for her wedding dress. Tory’s no-nonsense approach makes her lovable, but it is her loyalty to her friends and family that is her truest gift.
Njideka “Ey-Yah” Akunyili | Bridesmaid/The Best Freshman Year Roommate Ever
>> Njideka and Lela were brought together by the grace of the dean of housing at Swat. They survived the adventures of freshman year together - oversleeping their alarm clocks (unfortunately the times that they were late to Bio class far outnumbered the times that they were on time), sneaking oranges back to the room for each other from the cafeteria (scurvy be gone!), the goofy socks from Lela’s mom (”I got bright yellow with pink flamingos this time … what did mom send you?”), and wanting to throw their computers out the window when they both got the same computer virus (beware the endless spiral!). Whenever Njideka is surprised/scared/amused/etc. she exclaims “ey-yah” - an endearing phrase which everyone around can’t help but adopt. Njideka’s artistic ability is matched only by her kindness towards others.
Emily “Oh For Cute” Clough | Bridesmaid/Fellow Harmonizer and Singer of Rounds
>> Emily and Lela met in dance class during Lela’s first semester at Swat. Lela knew immediately that she and Emily would be friends and invited Emily to visit her anytime in NYC. The very next week Emily asked if she could maybe accept that offer. Most of that quick visit over fall break was spent walking down the streets of NYC singing beautiful rounds and enchanting passers-by. Emily is the distinctly blond Minnesotan and loves to say “oh for cute” … but only in the silly way. She just returned from a trip to India to teach organizations about fair trade for World of Good. Her unfathomable compassion and empathy towards all truly distinguishes her as a humanitarian.
Greer “Grobs” Raggio | Bridesmaid/Adopted Sister
>> Greer and Lela were inseparable during their 5th and 6th grade years - talking in a secret language (don’t ask), studying/competing for the highest grade on spelling tests (nerds), and making up dances to Madonna songs (now that’s just awesome). Then Greer moved away from NYC and it has been in the many years that have followed that their friendship has proven its strength. They have only grown closer as they grew up apart but yet together - always holding on to each other via phone calls, visits, and letters. Maybe it is the attachment that they share with each others families, or the great happiness they have in each others successes, or the inherent empathy they have towards each others trials. They call each other on their off-days and always somehow manage to lift each others spirits. Greer can be shy, but is incredibly extroverted and affectionate towards her very lucky friends.
Simone “Simonie Bologna” Rainey | Bridesmaid/The Most Remarkably Sarcastic-Yet-Lovable New Yorker
>> Simone and Lela went to high school together although Lela is convinced that Simone was in her life before then and tries to insert Simone into stories relating to middle school and then look at her strangely when she cannot remember being there. In true Lela fashion, Simone’s nickname is Simonie Bologna - not because either person particularly likes bologna, but just because … Simone can always be counted upon to deliver the most candid opinion about everything New York in the most sarcastic and poignant manner. She has a strong exterior, but inside is the sweetest motherly instinct. And she has a beautiful smile, when she chooses to share it with you.
Aimee “Cuzzy-Wuzzy-Woo” Rowe | Bridesmaid/First Cousin Extraordinaire
>> Aimee is Lela’s favorite one and only first cousin and thus she has appropriately been given the goofy and very affectionate nickname “cuzzy-wuzzy-woo” (try saying it out loud, it’s fun). Aimee and Lela have shared many wonderful family vacations together including adventures in Hawaii (where they invested in hula skirts and sang the Hukilau song – ask her about it), Australia (where they were convinced that they could appropriate a Down Under accent in a matter of weeks), and the Netherlands (where they taught the Macarena to a whole group of fellow tourists on a canal boat). Aimee is the best role model that Lela could have had from a cousin - incredibly intelligent and down-to-Earth. Aimee loves to laugh and embraces the kookiness of family.
Claudia “Hyper-dum” Sell | Bridesmaid/Fellow Lover of All Things Relating to Dance and Chocolate
>> Claudia and Lela were classmates in college, but their friendship truly took off after their years at Swat when Claudia moved to Lela’s hometown – NYC – to teach social studies in Spanish Harlem public schools. Fellow spazmatics and danceaholics, Lela and Claudia once were so excited, giggling uncontrollably and jumping around, about who-remembers-what that they were nicknamed “hyper-dee” and “hyper-dum”. Claudia can always be counted on to bring lots of energy and excitement to a situation and knows how to get things started on the dance floor (watch for her). Claudia is a loving friend and great listener, who gives great hugs.
Jen “Coolest Little Cousin” Werner | Junior Bridesmaid/Most Laid-back and Intelligent Pre-Teen Known
>> Jen is Lela’s second cousin once removed (how’s that for genealogical lingo?). Lela remembers Jen’s first Christmas, sitting on the sofa and rocking baby Jen to sleep in her arms. Now she is all grown up, into an intelligent and kind young lady. While we can all admire her poised manner, she also likes to be goofy. In fact, Jen and Joel love to have contests to see who can make the goofiest face (there are photos) and she willingly participates in the craziness of Lela and Joel - including the coolest double piggyback ride ever. Jen is a responsible and thoughtful young lady who makes us all proud.
TEAM JOEL:
Joel F. W. Price | Groom
Matt “Murph” Murphy | Best Man/ellipsis Bandmate/Apartmentmate
>> matt and joel met in 1997 on the ultimate frisbee fields and soon established an on-field connection followed quickly by an off-field friendship. they’ve played music together since, traveled together, and matt and his family serve as joel’s east coast family. matt’s uncharacteristic generosity and patience are unwavering. matt’s sports teams don’t win championships, but he likes them anyhow.
Adam “Thunder” Dickinson | Groomsman/Premier Freshman Year Roommate
>> adam and joel were placed together as freshman year roommates; a brilliant move! they hit it off immediately and were inseparable for much of their freshman year, except when joel played certain songs too many times or slept through the music alarm. sorry. a kind and gentle giant, adam also picked joel up and threw him across their room once, but in a nice way.
Vale “Vin Diesel” Jokisch | Groomsmaid/ellipsis Bandmate/Apartmentmate
>> vale and joel met in 1997 singing in the same a cappella group in college (swarthmore’s mixed company), and soon after became bandmates, then housemates. a multi-talented person with boundless kindness, vale is also responsible for one of the most amazing mini-golf shots ever seen. it involved a chip shot (using a putter), a stone well, and a tree that was about 75 feet behind the teepad.
John “Buddy” Loeser | Groomsman/Sophomore & Junior Year Roommate/Goofball Supreme
>> john and joel were roommates for two years in college and shared a major (psychology/education). john and joel sang together in college, as well as setting up their own comedy routines on their computer, none of which will be shared here. his impersonations are spot-on. john is a caring and compassionate fellow.
James “Spratt” Muspratt | Groomsman/Disc Golfer/Fellow Nerd
>> james and joel met when james and matt murphy were roommates. since 1999, joel and james have played disc golf and traveled together, sharing a common interest in several things, including photography, design, and information architecture. james is an excellent graphic designer and photographer, and, in addition, is really funny.
Alana “Lala” Price | Groomsmaid/Little Sister Extraordinaire/Funny-Face-Maker
>> alana is joel’s younger sister. they grew up playing together and never fought. alana is an amazing artist and is responsible for many good laughs and many good times throughout joel’s life. alana and joel still try to outdo one another in making horrible faces when brushing their teeth.
Eileen “The Bean” Stocco | Groomsmaid/Fellow Summer Camp Advisor/Large-Scale Silliness Coordinator
>> eileen and joel met in the summer of 1998 when they worked at an ocean camp in california. since then, joel has served as a judge in eileen’s classroom, and eileen has set up “the gatorade challenge,” an extensive test of nearly every gatorade flavor. eileen is a creative and artistic new mother (congratulations!).
Katie “Stoopid” Sundquist | Groomsmaid/High School Cohort/Catmaster
>> katie and joel have been friends since high school, when joel used to get to AP Biology class earlier than katie and put the seat that said “Stoopid” on it in katie’s place. every day. katie has always been a thoughtful and loyal friend, and is the author of a recent children’s book, “oh my goodness gracious me!” katie also has 153,284 cats at her house, give or take 153,277.