Chris Cox / Best Man
The stories that Chris tells are the best you’ll ever hear. His recall for tones of voice and the specifics of even the most mundane scenarios produce pure magic and deep meaning and milk out your nose. But Chris also tells a different, more profound story: the kind where he attentively listens, considers, and reflects back the story of you that you never knew.
The stories that Chris tells are the best you’ll ever hear. His recall for tones of voice and the specifics of even the most mundane scenarios produce pure magic and deep meaning and milk out your nose. But Chris also tells a different, more profound story: the kind where he attentively listens, considers, and reflects back the story of you that you never knew.
Adam Samaha / Groomsman
Corey handed a stranger named Adam a coffee, and immediately they got into it - politics, justice, anxiety, and Hey Arnold. This isn’t exactly how it all started, but it kind of feels like it, that’s how fast their friendship solidified. Adam is the kind of guy you want to start a podcast with, and that’s exactly what Corey did. You’ll never meet someone as empathetic, vulnerable, and passionate as Adam Samaha.
Corey handed a stranger named Adam a coffee, and immediately they got into it - politics, justice, anxiety, and Hey Arnold. This isn’t exactly how it all started, but it kind of feels like it, that’s how fast their friendship solidified. Adam is the kind of guy you want to start a podcast with, and that’s exactly what Corey did. You’ll never meet someone as empathetic, vulnerable, and passionate as Adam Samaha.
Ben Johnson / Groomsman
Ben and Corey met at 14 when, during a lunch break, Corey started singing a Newsboys song and Ben chimed in, finishing the lyrics. Ben was part of the group of Whittier Christian friends that sat at the same lunch table every day for four years. Their shared love of nerdy-ass board games set a different kind of table for their post-highschool time spent together, but it is Ben’s humble wisdom, zen disposition, and warm loyalty that hold together almost 20 years of frienship.
Ben and Corey met at 14 when, during a lunch break, Corey started singing a Newsboys song and Ben chimed in, finishing the lyrics. Ben was part of the group of Whittier Christian friends that sat at the same lunch table every day for four years. Their shared love of nerdy-ass board games set a different kind of table for their post-highschool time spent together, but it is Ben’s humble wisdom, zen disposition, and warm loyalty that hold together almost 20 years of frienship.
Chad Miller / Officiant
Chad has spent hundreds of hours in the last 15 years with Corey (and Chris, and others) often around a bonfire in his Whittier backyard as a seasoned mentor, wise older brother, and loyal friend. This is not unlike the work the Fox asks the Little Prince to do, to “become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed”. Like the bonfire Chad so lovingly tended on many of those backyard nights, Corey feels very grateful to have been tended, and tamed, by Chad.
Chad has spent hundreds of hours in the last 15 years with Corey (and Chris, and others) often around a bonfire in his Whittier backyard as a seasoned mentor, wise older brother, and loyal friend. This is not unlike the work the Fox asks the Little Prince to do, to “become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed”. Like the bonfire Chad so lovingly tended on many of those backyard nights, Corey feels very grateful to have been tended, and tamed, by Chad.
Colin Snow / Groomsman
Colin and Corey bonded in college over their love of long rants and eye rolls and complaining and every episode of Seinfeld. Today, Colin is The Trusted Truth-Teller in Corey’s life, and Corey likes to believe he is the same to Colin. Despite what his Larry David-esque persona might suggest, he is a true people person, a generous party host, and an emotionally present father and friend. Colin also loves basketball.
Colin and Corey bonded in college over their love of long rants and eye rolls and complaining and every episode of Seinfeld. Today, Colin is The Trusted Truth-Teller in Corey’s life, and Corey likes to believe he is the same to Colin. Despite what his Larry David-esque persona might suggest, he is a true people person, a generous party host, and an emotionally present father and friend. Colin also loves basketball.
David Abernathy / Groomsman
Another member of the Whittier Christian Lunch Table Group™, David contained the kind of quiet, zen presence that was a foil to the 4 or 5 extroverted friends that he shared lunch with every day. 19 years later, David has become a centered consistant for Corey, someone who can share in his joy of the nerdy stuff of life, but is also a place of authentic ease and rest.
Another member of the Whittier Christian Lunch Table Group™, David contained the kind of quiet, zen presence that was a foil to the 4 or 5 extroverted friends that he shared lunch with every day. 19 years later, David has become a centered consistant for Corey, someone who can share in his joy of the nerdy stuff of life, but is also a place of authentic ease and rest.
Joel Hasemeyer / Music
Corey met Joel floating in the Pacific Ocean at a college event, and thus a friendship was baptised into existence. 15 years later, they have enjoyed gallons of coffee, a handful of board games, and Arcade Fire at The Forum. As it is with most of Corey’s friends, Joel is thoughtful and wise. And yet his wisdom does not leave with him - it can always be found in his beautiful lyrics. Corey’s favorite of Joel’s songs is “Bound to Break”, with a father bestowing the wisdom of being a man: "It's knowing when to stand and when to understand." Corey hopes to find such understanding.
Corey met Joel floating in the Pacific Ocean at a college event, and thus a friendship was baptised into existence. 15 years later, they have enjoyed gallons of coffee, a handful of board games, and Arcade Fire at The Forum. As it is with most of Corey’s friends, Joel is thoughtful and wise. And yet his wisdom does not leave with him - it can always be found in his beautiful lyrics. Corey’s favorite of Joel’s songs is “Bound to Break”, with a father bestowing the wisdom of being a man: "It's knowing when to stand and when to understand." Corey hopes to find such understanding.
John McChristian / Groomsman
In the lonely days after college, when you realize that being an adult means less friends, more responsibility, and the seeming end of self discovery, John is the kind of person who chooses community anyway. Corey remembers the tangible feeling of belonging he felt when John (always with Ryan in tow; see below) would reach out to plan the next post-college adventure. Now 400 miles apart, John still reaches out and Corey still answers the phone, and the adventure has shifted by way of their early 30s, and yet there it is. The feeling of belonging.
In the lonely days after college, when you realize that being an adult means less friends, more responsibility, and the seeming end of self discovery, John is the kind of person who chooses community anyway. Corey remembers the tangible feeling of belonging he felt when John (always with Ryan in tow; see below) would reach out to plan the next post-college adventure. Now 400 miles apart, John still reaches out and Corey still answers the phone, and the adventure has shifted by way of their early 30s, and yet there it is. The feeling of belonging.
Matthew Barrios / Music
Corey and Matt danced their way onto the Dodger Stadium Jumbotron. Twice! And yet behind this jumbotron dance lives a wise sage. When Matt asks you questions, you feel compelled to answer. Is it the bear hug that his eyes give you? Does the pre-mature grey in his hair indicate a wisdom beyond his years? Is it because he is trained in both improv comedy and God’s improv (that is, spiritual formation)? Yes. And. Amen.
Corey and Matt danced their way onto the Dodger Stadium Jumbotron. Twice! And yet behind this jumbotron dance lives a wise sage. When Matt asks you questions, you feel compelled to answer. Is it the bear hug that his eyes give you? Does the pre-mature grey in his hair indicate a wisdom beyond his years? Is it because he is trained in both improv comedy and God’s improv (that is, spiritual formation)? Yes. And. Amen.
Phil Chun / Groomsman
Phil has a wide range of emotional talent that spills into all of his work. He has served in love and compassion a community of friends with special needs, motivated himself to learn entirely new vocations (from ecommerce to food service), and, as his current job demands, hob-nob with business elites. All of these traits merged into the personal when he spent an entire day as Corey’s menswear stylist, creating the perfect grooms outfit. This is what Phil does - use every aspect of his person to be there for those he loves.
Phil has a wide range of emotional talent that spills into all of his work. He has served in love and compassion a community of friends with special needs, motivated himself to learn entirely new vocations (from ecommerce to food service), and, as his current job demands, hob-nob with business elites. All of these traits merged into the personal when he spent an entire day as Corey’s menswear stylist, creating the perfect grooms outfit. This is what Phil does - use every aspect of his person to be there for those he loves.
Richard Gaffin / Music
Richard has lived a life one can only read in a memoir. He was raised in one part DC and one part China in a world dreamed up by political thriller screenwriters. In his youth, he literally refused to shake hands with Bill Clinton and George Bush, perhaps in a symbolic gesture against democracy and towards the monarchy (his favorite musical artist is Prince, after all). But none of this speaks to the relationship Corey feels such loyalty to - his humor, his coversational skills to listen, learn, and respond, his artistic talent, his curiousity, his love of words and music and rhythm, and on and on and on.
Richard has lived a life one can only read in a memoir. He was raised in one part DC and one part China in a world dreamed up by political thriller screenwriters. In his youth, he literally refused to shake hands with Bill Clinton and George Bush, perhaps in a symbolic gesture against democracy and towards the monarchy (his favorite musical artist is Prince, after all). But none of this speaks to the relationship Corey feels such loyalty to - his humor, his coversational skills to listen, learn, and respond, his artistic talent, his curiousity, his love of words and music and rhythm, and on and on and on.
Ryan Gabler / Groomsman
The most affable human in all the world is Ryan Gabler. One moment he is in the clouds (literally, he is a pilot), the next moment in still more clouds (figuratively, for he is a quiet and pensive person) and finally feet firmly planted in front of you, present and attentive. When Ryan and John were a package deal, they fed off of each other like the best comedy duos. Corey and these knucklheads had a beautiful time. John moved, the duo was cut in half, and then Corey got to experience the equally special solo act of Ryan Gabler, who especially acts in kindness and empathy and consistency and hard work.
The most affable human in all the world is Ryan Gabler. One moment he is in the clouds (literally, he is a pilot), the next moment in still more clouds (figuratively, for he is a quiet and pensive person) and finally feet firmly planted in front of you, present and attentive. When Ryan and John were a package deal, they fed off of each other like the best comedy duos. Corey and these knucklheads had a beautiful time. John moved, the duo was cut in half, and then Corey got to experience the equally special solo act of Ryan Gabler, who especially acts in kindness and empathy and consistency and hard work.
“Friendship was witnessing another’s slow drip of miseries, and long bouts of boredom, and occasional triumphs. It was feeling honored by the privilege of getting to be present for another person’s most dismal moments, and knowing that you could be dismal around him in return.”
― Hanya Yanagihara, A Little Life