Wedding Party
Our wedding part is comprised of the people who mean the most to us.
The Bridal party will be: Latoya Gordon (MOH), Tameka Phillips, Meliha Hameed, Charity Hart, and Crystal Morgan.
Groomsmen will be: Kevin Dunnaway, Tom Bryant, Erin Douna,
Latoya Gordon
Maid of Honor
Latoya and I have been friends since we were 7 years old when we were in the same class. She ruled one side of the classroom and I ruled the other (or at least I thought I did). We crossed paths one day at recess, and it was, "Who are you?? I'M THE DIVA HERE!!!". Realizing that Smith Street could not possibly have two divas that large, we decided to join forces and use our powers for good and not evil.
From that day on, we were unstoppable. We spent every waking moment together. We planned our outfits, choreographed dances in Latoya's bedroom, planned our careers, and talked about our future husbands. All this at 7! No one could ever say that we were not focused. We even knew what boys to stay away from because we knew they would be bums when they grew up. And we turned out to be right-those boys we singled out are still bums to this day.Thank God we knew everything we needed to know in the 2nd grade.
Over the years we remained just as close. When my family decided to move to NC I was devastated. I did not think I could be apart my best friend. We even had a plan for me to stay in NY and live in her bedroom. When we presented our 'plan' to our parents they laughed in our faces and told us to get out.
To this day, I know that no matter what I need, Latoya will always be there for me. I can always count on her honest opinion and her shoulder to cry on. I can't see life without her!
Tameka Phillips
Bridesmaid
Tameka and I met the summer I came back from California. I was a receptionist in a salon where Tameka was a stylist. I knew right away that I liked her, but yet we only talked in passing. Even after exchanging phone numbers, we would talk on the phone, but never really hung out. The first time we hung out it was like I had known her forever! From that day on, we have had our own private jokes, and spend nights on the phone reciting Cosby Show re-runs.
My pet name for Tameka is "Chupe". I got the name from an African couple I met many years ago. They had a 4 year old daughter who was a sweetheart. She knew very little English when they got here. But in a few short months she taught herself English by watching cartoons. I was amazed by how resourceful she was, and how fast she was able to learn. I was also very touched by the way she always made friends; even with the language barrier. She was always willing to share with people, and always wanted to share her "new words" and teach me French. We quickly bonded, and I saw how big of a heart she had. Tameka has always been the same way-full of heart, resourceful, and quick to make a new friend. She will always make you feel welcome and special, and is always willing to share.
Meliha Hameed
Bridesmaid
Elly and I met when we were working together at a hotel. I was the front desk manager, and she was one of the first people I hired. I was so impressed with her and her maturity. She was the youngest person we had (she was 19), but was wise beyond her years and SO ambitious. Before I knew it Elly became the little sister I never had.
We lost contact for a few years, but re-connected at ECU. After my travels to California, I came back and enrolled in summer school. On my first day of class, I saw a pair of legs walk past me, looked up and realized it was Elly. We both started screaming instantly! I was so excited to see her. I vowed from that day on to never lose contact with her again.
Elly and I connected because we were both from Long Island, but felt lost in Greenville. With me having spent so much more time in the South, I was able to help her transition into 'Southern life", and understand Southern culture. It was nice to meet someone who understood my feeling of being lost in the Twilight Zone.
Elly and I have grown so close over the years, and I am so protective of her. She has the biggest heart in the world and constantly makes me proud to be her friend.
Charity Hart
Bridesmaid
Charity and I have come a long way together. It is so ironic that I found a good girlfriend through my guy friends. Charity and I were always considered "one of the guys" in the crew. After many, many, many years at Phil's house playing cards and having cookouts, we finally decided to hang out WITHOUT the guys (Needless to say they were jealous of course).
Charity came into my life at such a crucial time period. I was learning so much about myself and the people around me. As I found out that sometimes you have to let old friends go, God sent me a new friend. So many days I looked forward to her calling to check on me. And I always felt better afterwards. She will always tell you the honest truth, and once she accepts you as a friend she will love you forever.
Crystal Morgan
Bridesmaid
Crystal and I passed each other for a few years with only "Hi" and "Bye". Finally one day we were properly introduced by a mutual friend, and ended up rooming together on a ski trip to the Poconos. We spent the whole weekend drinking Moscato and lounging in the hot tub-we didnt even ski-lol! After that we were instant friends. After all, she liked coffee and wine-what else could I ask for in a friend?
As we got to know each other, I felt like I had known Crys for years. After all this time as friends we still find out new things about each other every day. I love the fact that we can laugh til our eyeballs bleed, or just sit quietly and sip a glass of wine. Her friendship is very versatile: I can call on her if I need to cry, or I can call on her when I want to kick someone-lol. She is always supportive no matter what.
