Welcome to the Fernham Wedding Party! Our Bridesmaids and Groomsmen have been kind enough to share some personal information with all of us. Each one has a very unique personality and will bring a different flare to the group. We look forward to sharing this special day with old and new friends who have impacted our lives in different ways over the years. Thank you, Wedding Party Members, for the commitment and sacrifices you have made to be a part of this event… Bridesmaids Name: Melissa Pinkerton Age: 32 Sign: Leo Currently Living In: Clovis, California, USA Background Information: My life has dramatically changed in the past year. I have packed up my life, changed my career, left ALL my family and most of my friends for the pursuit of happiness and love. Crazy, huh!?! As my fiancé Russ says, “I had to import her!” I transplanted myself a whole 160 miles from Sacramento to a small town next to Fresno. Even though it is only 2 ˝ hours away, it seems like they are days apart. The transformation I have led the past year has been mind blowing, exciting and extremely hard! I am blessed with the best partner that I could ever ask for, but getting settled in another town is very hard. It seems to get harder the older we get to adjust! Russ runs circles around me with his energy and keeps me entertained with his enthusiasm for life and sports such as waterskiing on a daily basis. Life is an interesting adventure and I am looking forward to seeing where this one is going to take me! I have known Jessica since: I met Jessica in 2000 at Sonoma State University. In our Historical Geography class and she sat across the room by herself so she would not be distracted by all of the men drooling over her. She was quite content in the corner of the room and I noticed how smart her responses were in class which made me realize how behind I was in the class due to my lack of interest in the subject. One day I came to sit by her and day by day we became friends. It didn’t hurt that all the boys were talking about my new “Brazilian friend” (that is what they all called her before they knew her nationality or name) but most importantly she was a great teacher. She was so patient in explaining things to me. She was able to put things so I could relate to them, then she explained the bigger picture. She was a much better teacher than that professor was. We became friends, study partners, and also gym partners. She always had a way of bring out the best in me in all aspects, especially when it came to the gym and school. She was the reason I passed that class as well as our Theater Arts class. I never understood how she could read something once and obtain it and I had to read it and write it over and over and over again for it to absorb. Oh the things I could do with a mind like hers! Hee hee The funniest thing about Jessica is: How serious she takes herself! The thing I admire the most about Jessica is: Firstly her intelligence, hunger for the world and knowledge! The thing I hope Jessica will never change is: Her willingness to except people for who they are, forgiveness and always having an open mind about everything, until they cross the line! Any Comments: I have often described Jessica as one of the smartest people that I have EVER met. I feel so blessed to have her in my life. She has enriched my life in so many ways and continues to challenge me in every time we are in touch! Our contact has been so touch and go with the distance and years between us, but Jessica will always be a very important part of my life. Lastly, she is the best listener I have ever encountered. The type of listener that does not say much, she just listens and lets you figure it out on your own while she is on the other end of the phone. She then comes back with a classic Jessica response, “sounds like you have it all figured out!” I love you so much Jessica, thank you for being you and working so hard to keep in touch and not let our friendship slip away! Name: Donelle Perkins Age: 33 Sign: Virgo Currently Living In: Sacremento, California, USA Background Information: I recently graduated with my masters degree from California State University, Sacramento and was appointed as the Director at the University of California, Davis working with a program that serves first generation, low income and disabled students. I am quite proud of that achievement as I am the first in my family to obtain a BA and now an MA. I also started working as a Realtor and Loan Officer about a year ago...so yes I like to stay busy. Being a busy person is pretty much how most people know me. Lately I have been enjoying lots of outdoor activities especially bike riding, basketball, tennis and even river rafting! I have known Jessica since: 1999 - Sonoma State University The funniest thing about Jessica is: How goofy she can get. Jessica is not afraid to let her hair down and have a good time. She is not above getting a little goofy! The thing I admire the most about Jessica is: Her ability to task risks. Unlike me, Jessica is not afraid to take the road less traveled. I tend to play it safe so I love the risk taker in her. The thing I hope Jessica will never change is: Her dancing. I have many memories of Jessica and I dancing together. We always had a good time on the dance floor and of course got all the attention! Any Comments: Jessica has and continues to be such a blessing to my life. She makes me want to take risks and follow my heart even when others may think I'm crazy. I love that I have always been able to share my triumphs and failures with Jessica. When she is happy about my succes it is genuine and when I make a bad decision she has never judged me. I love you Jessica and I pray that Grant is the blessing to your life as you are to mine. Love... Your Sister & Friend, Dee Name: Julia Bingham Age: 33 Sign: Aquarius Currently Living In: Santa Barbara, California, USA Background Information: I was born and raised in Santa Barbara and attended the University of Arizona. I am a new proud mama of a baby girl Haven Rose born 4-12-06. This is the greatest experience of my life and I love motherhood! I am currently working as a bookeeper for a private estate in Montecito and at Cava Restaurant. I have known Jessica since: Jessica and I met in 6th grade a Monte Vista Elementary School and I think it was in 1989. We both had single moms which brought us very close, then one day we all ended up living togther...lots of fun having a sister! The funniest thing about Jessica is: When we were growing up she always had these little comedy acts that would make us all laugh for days... The thing I admire the most about Jessica is: That she is traveling the world...something I would love to have done. The thing I hope Jessica will never change is: Her ability to do what ever she sets out to do in life. Any Comments: It has been wonderful to watch her grow into a beautiful young women who is very worldly with all her travels. I feel so privelaged to be a part of her family and her wedding! Name: Jennifer Sorosky Age: 33 Sign: Gemini Currently Living In: Santa Barbara, California, USA Background Information: I am 27 years old. I live in Santa Barbara, CA.. I am the assistant girls basketball coach at santa barbara high school. I like to cook and ride my bike. I am in the process of finding new employment. I have worked at my parents business Camp Canine Santa Barbara’s Pet Resort and Spa for the last couple of years. I have known Jessica since: 7th grade, we played on the Tides All Star basketball team together. The funniest thing about Jessica is: There isn’t one funny thing about Jessica. I just find myself laughing and having a good time when I hang around her. The thing I admire the most about Jessica is: How she says what she wants and then doesn’t let anything stop her from getting it. The thing I hope Jessica will never change is: That she never forgets about old friends. That she keeps her drive to have what she wants in her life and will stop at nothing to get it. How she is always willing to learn about new things and isn’t afraid of new adventures. Any Comments: It is going to be fun to see how life goes and the adventures that jessica peruses the next couple of years. I can’t wait to hear about the new business ventures and the new family ventures and the new travel ventures and anything else that comes along her way. Oh yeah and I have no doubt the wedding will be the greatest party ever! Groomsmen Name: Louis Oberleuter Age: 40 Sign: Pisces Currently Living In: Brisbane, QLD, Australia Background Information: I currently am on a personal endeavor to EMPOWER everyone around me with everything I have. I have known Grant since: May 2003 The funniest thing about Grant is: He copies my comedy The thing I admire the most about Grant is: His unselfishness The thing I hope Grant will never change is: Our FRIENDSHIP Any Comments: I cannot express how grateful I am for all that Grant has taught me both professional and personal. Name: Carl Hassard Age: 38 Sign: Virgo Currently Living In: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia Background Information: I am a sports loving energetic ex Victorian living in sunny Qld who loves music and good movies. I love aussie rules and support the mighty Richmond tigers. surfing, wakeboarding and touch football are among some of the sports I enjoy. I have had more operations from sporting injuries than most, including 2 shoulder reconstructions, knee reco & wrist reco. this keeps my physio in business. I currently work as a executive trade broker for a business to business trade exchange and enjoy what I do.I'm currently building a patio at my place and making other plans for further landscaping. Hopefully I'll be snowboarding in the middle of August in Victoria but I have just got to get some sidekicks organised. I have known Grant since: 1986 at Upper Mt. Gravatt primary school The funniest thing about Grant is: His indecisiveness The thing I admire the most about Grant is: Honesty The thing I hope Grant will never change is: His sense of humor... Any Comments: Can't wait to check out Santa Barbara and be at what I know will be a spectacular wedding.   Name: Norm Bardell Age: 42 Sign: Taurus Currently Living In: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia Background Information: Maori, IT Ubergeek, Would rather be hunting Deer or Razorbacks with my Bow than pretty much anything else other than playing with my 3 yr old son. Oh, and My Lady ranks up there with the Son as well. Other than having to work for a living my life is pretty much cool and a lot of fun... Wouldnt be dead for quids!!! I have known Grant since: Dont remeber, but he was pretty green when we first met... he seems to have learned a whole lot since then The funniest thing about Grant is: His attitude, He is a good hearted bloke The thing I admire the most about Grant is: See above. The thing I hope Grant will never change is: Yes, Please stop asking me sentimental questions, while I am very much a new age teddy bear :0 I would rather hide that beneath a gruff Maori exterior lest my ancestors refuse to have anything to do with me when I see them next. Any Comments: