My Maid Of Honor

Chaunte' & Christie

My Maid of Honor is my childhood best friend, Christie King!

We first met back in 1992 when we both started taking clogging classes at Caughman Road Park. We along with some other girls formed the "Sassy Stomper Cloggers" and started competing within a few years around the southeast.

High School Pageant ( Winter 2003)

It wasn't until middle school when we actually went to school together because of district zoning, we went to different elementary schools. We both took dance classes at school along with clogging, until 1997 when our clogging instructor moved out of state. I joined another team and continued clogging while Christie turned to softball. Even though we went separate directions, we both still supported each other.

In high school, we both got involved in a lot of the same clubs as well as competed in the Miss LR Pageant together. My senior year, we got to share a special moment. I was crowned MISS LR and Christie was crowned MISS JUNIOR.

We both ended up attending USC together in 2004.. until she moved to Charleston to attend MUSC. I have to say I'm so proud of my best friend to see her achieve her dreams. For the longest time, I've always remembered her saying she wanted to be a pharmacist. Well one year from now, she will reach that goal. On May 20, 2011 (just one day before the wedding), Christie will graduate from MUSC with her doctorate in pharmacy. =)

Joe, Dave, Chaunte' & Christie

Now one of my favorite memories of Christie is when we got our nicknames for each other. We used to curl our hair with socks (clean, washed socks) so it was comfortable to sleep in. One day on our way to a competition, Christie said I looked like Medusa. And for some reason, my stepdad started picking on Christie, and started calling her Kristi Yamaguchi (I think it was a Winter Olympics year). So ever since then, we still call each other our nicknames.

I'm so proud to have Christie as my friend and was so honored when she agreed to be my Maid of Honor. I called her on the boat before we got off in Tampa but she didn't answer. She called me back a little bit later and I was so happy to share the news with her.

To a lifelong friendship!