Our wedding party (part 2)
Melissa Lynn Chase a.k.a. Mo
(even though Jessie refuses to acknowledge that nickname)
— Maiden of Honor —
Myers-Briggs Personality Type: ISFJ - "Protector"
Extraordinary Skillz: I am an excellent old-school rapper
(and wrapper - you should see me at Christmas). I am quite
the bargain shopper. I often ask questions that instantly
make people cry (should I brag about that?). I am a gifted
leader. I can rally a team (athletic or otherwise) . . . so look
out bridesmaids . . . this is going to be fun.
Some Life Dreams: My biggest dream is to nurture a family
that courageously loves. I also want to lead a school one day
that helps young people embrace who they were created to
be.
Why I'm Here: So I knew of Jessie from her freshman year
at U of M when she spent hours at the Centipede Center
watching Mean Girls. However, our beautiful friendship did
not start until two years ago when a wise young man named
Mikey encouraged her to initiate with me. We spent our first
conversation trying to figure out whether or not he had
actually asked her to date. Since then we have walked
together on a journey of epic proportions.
Kristina Elizabeth Adair a.k.a. Wednesday Tina
— Bridesmaid —
Myers-Briggs Personality Type: INFP - "Healer"
Extraordinary Skillz: scootering, spilling, playing, writing
digas
Why I'm Here: When I was six, I played soccer on Ms.
Barb's team. I scored one goal all season. Jessie realized I was a terrible player and we weren't friends for nearly a decade but we reunited after discovering a mutual joy in lighting stuff on fire.
Kelley Rhodes Maynard a.k.a. Keller, kmayn
— Bridesmaid —
Myers-Briggs Personality Type ISFJ - "Protector"
Extraordinary Skillz: seeing the glass as half full, quoting mean girls. (p.s. are you really gonna keep that 'z' there? I can't answer this question very seriously if it is :p)
Some Life Dreams: life to the full.
Why I'm Here: I met Jessie about five years ago at the
beginning of our freshman year at U of M. Since then, I have lived life intimately with Jessie - in various settings, doing various things - including but not limited to: leading, sleeping, spooning, giggling, worshiping, crying, surfing, serving,
stalking, soccer-ing, praying. I cannot imagine my life without
this woman; she has loved me persistently and fiercely. I
have also been blessed to witness Jessie and Mikey's
relationship as it has developed thus far, and I am excited to
be with them as they enter into marriage and continue
exploring the infinite abyss together.
Jennifer Lynn Wanty a.k.a. Jenn - with 2 n’s if Jessie has a say
— Bridesmaid —
Myers-Briggs Personality Type: INFJ - "Counselor"
Extraordinary Skillz: I am exceptionally talented at altering words to end in -y. Although reading quickly is a weakness, reading 8 books at a time is a piece of cake (rainbow chip & confetti cake, of course). Perhaps my greatest skill is jamming out to music in my car, especially as my alias, Kelly Clarkson. I am also gifted at listening with sincerity and responding honestly.
Some Life Dreams: I dream of being brought from the depths of my sin and brokenness into an imperfect example of God the Counselor. I dream of watching God continuing to affirm my own voice, to help show me the beauty in my own life, so I can then validate the once silenced voices of
others, to help them to see the beauty in their lives. I dream
of uniting the Church and counseling - counseling and the
Church. I dream that God would use me as He makes
counseling an integral and natural part of the Church. I
desire to bring counseling into the Church as a way to
intertwine the Truth of the Gospel with the emotional care
and development of individuals, specifically teens.
Why I'm Here: Although Jessie and I met almost four years
ago at a summer camp that we worked at (Spring Hill!), our
journey of living life together truly began at the start of our
junior year at U-M. I can remember walking back to “the
Benj” after a football game and sitting on the front porch as I
openly cried and word-vomited, (something I never did back
then) with this new friend and housemate. At that moment I
had a feeling that this woman would be part of God’s
redemption story in my life. Together we have devoutly
loved, honestly challenged, and bravely fought for one
another as we have simultaneously grown closer to our Dad
and each other. Nicholas Joseph Aja a.k.a. Nick, little Nicky,
Asia, Jessie Aja's little brother
— Bridesman —
Myers-Briggs Personality Type: ISTJ - "Inspector"
Extraordinary Skillz: producing
pretty noises including 'slappin' da bass!' and singing in the U-M men's glee
club. Spending too much time in front of a 15-inch-screen which, consequently,
gives me semi-useless knowledge about computers and the internet. Hopefully I
can figure out how to turn that into a career.
Some Life Dreams: Getting
my degree in computer engineering at Michigan and hopefully using that somehow
to serve the Lord. To live sustainably and, at some point, to wander around the
country/continent without the burdens of our stuff that supposedly makes our
lives so much easier.
Why I'm Here: hmmm, we'll I've known the
bride for my entire life (literally), and she's influenced me in many ways. I'm
the person more commonly known as "Jessie Aja's little brother" than
by the name our parents gave to me. I love her and she's super awesome and she
wants me to stand up and support her as she marries this super cool dude she
likes to call Mikey. Also, because I get to be the one and only Bridesman.
Faith Cameron McKnight a.k.a. Cameron, 2Ton, C-Dawg, Cameo
— Bridesmaid —
Myers-Briggs Personality Type: ENFP- "Champion"
Extraordinary Skillz: Too many to list here
Some Life Dreams:
A dream is a wish your heart makes
When you're fast asleep
In dreams you lose your heartaches
Whatever you wish for, you keep
Have faith in your dreams and someday
Your rainbow will come smiling thru
No matter how your heart is grieving
If you keep on believing
the dream that you wish will come true
Why I'm Here: For the free cake
Amy (no middle name) Kloosterman
— Bridesmaid —
Myers-Briggs Personality Type: ISFJ - "Protector"
Extraordinary Skillz: Played soccer for forever - and also in high school with Cousin Jessie; Family Babysitter Extraordinaire; Went with Jess on a mission trip to Ecuador; AND, Jessie has had the privilege of being MY cousin, since I was born first . . . haha
Some Life Dreams: Travel the world; Take another mission trip; Swim with dolphins (<<random). And my dream jobs include: being a coffee shop owner (hint hint, Ray!); and Wedding Planning (I rescue Jessie when she can't plan or color coordinate)
Why I'm here: I'm her cousin and her friend :)
Polly Elizabeth Cline a.k.a. Polly Pants 
— Bridesmaid —
Myers-Briggs Personality Type: INTJ - "Mastermind"
Extraordinary Skillz: former guitarist of Cloud 9; snowmen cookie-maker; and I once appeared as "the ugly girl" in a teen girl squad episode
Some Life Dreams: exploring the infinite abyss
Why I'm Here: I'm here because I love Jessica Patricia Aja!