Meet Our Groomsmen!

(written by Jimmy Hinshaw)


Officiator: Jake Cooley



 
Jake and I fought on the trenches of Unified Technologies. He hired me to work under him with our current employer. We have dragged boats up a mountain just to fish out of a lake on the other side.  Jake is thorough, witty, cunning, and talented. Jake catches everything that most people miss. He is deliberate and careful (a very stark contrast to me flying by the seat of pants at 100mph with my hair on fire). But there is the key...

He shines where I fail. He helps me find and fix my flaws. Where I am weak, he has strength. We are like different sides of the same coin. He’s heads, and unfortunately for me I am tails.

(editor note: the Bride thinks this sounds like the Groom is marrying his officiator)

Best Man: Mike Riportella

 

 

Mike Riportella is from Ohio. He was my boss for 6 years and became my best friend. He has 4 daughters and he and his wife have always treated me like a brother. Mike and I have been on many, many misadventures. When we get together and tell our stories everyone listening thinks there is no way this is true, or that it when down like we say. But I’m here to tell you the stories are not only true, it was probably much bigger, crazier, and unbelievable than we described.

 

Mike is that guy. The guy I call when I have no one to call. If I were stranded on a desert island somewhere he would drive to the ocean, jump in and start swimming. And when he got to the island, he would have beer, and we would kick back and watch the sun go by-- then figure out how to get our families there.

 

Side note: he can cook his ass off. 

Groomsman: Edward Burleson

Edward, what can I say about Ed. We have been friends since way back in high school. We are heavy metal. From Camaros, Trucks, Motley Crue, Long Hair, Skipping School, Jolt cola we were the wild ones. Edward and I have had many an adventure as well. From being snowed in for days watching Lethal Weapon, to late night homemade heavy metal videos that never need mentioned again.

Edward is my tie to home. He is the one who reminds to be proud I'm from the mountains (as he lives damn near the top of the Roan). Edward I hope every year I am on this earth we get at least one day up on the bluff. Hopefully though, no more changing carburetors on S-10s and stinky fingers.  

Groomsman: Ken Hinshaw

 

My brother, you have known me longer than anyone. For that I must say I’m sorry. Ken has thrown me off of houses, knocked me unconscious, told me about myself, slapped me silly, and even tried once to eat me. I deserved every bit of it if not more.

Ken also has always answered my calls, always come to hang out with me, beat people into the ground for me, saved my life, supported my craziness, and treated me like a friend. Even in times when I wasn’t a friend to him. Ken makes me want to be a kinder person. He reminds me what strength is, and when you should and should not use it. That said if I was his size, someone would have put me down years ago...

Groomsman: Justin Graves

Justin has the best smile in the world. He is Jacqui's brother, and now he will be mine. I could not be more honored. Justin is extremely smart, talented, and hilarious. Justin reminds me about perseverance. He never gives up and he rarely loses because of that. No matter what odds are against him, he smiles, stands strong, and tells the world, “Bring it on, but you better hope you're ready”. That’s the fight we all need, as long as it’s not against him. LOL