Meet the Wedding Party

Michelle Federico : : Matron of Honor
Michelle and I met in the summer of 1995 when I started college at the University of South Florida. Our friendship began at the Baptist Student Union and Michelle was very influential in my decision to accept Christ while a student at USF. Michelle and her family have been a wonderful support to me over the past 10 years.

Meredith Neal : : Maid of Honor
Meredith and Gloria met in the Fall of 2002, while students at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SWBTS). Meredith introduced Gloria to the ministry of Buckner Orphan Care International (BOCI) and in November of 2003 she and Gloria traveled to Romania together for a Shoes for Orphan Souls mission trip. It was through Meredith’s recommendation and encouragement that Gloria applied to serve as the senior intern in Guatemala with BOCI for the summer of 2004. It was there, in Guatemala, where Daniel and Gloria first met. Meredith currently lives in Greer, South Carolina.

Christi McGraw : : Bridesmaid
Christi’s sister-in-law introduced Christi and Gloria to one another in the Fall of 2001. Christi and her husband Ben had just recently moved to the Fort Worth area to attend SWBTS. Gloria babysat for Christi and Ben’s, then two children, Evyn and Luke. Ben and Christi currently live in Greenville, Texas where they have started a church, Crosspoint Fellowship.

Sara Tate : : Bridesmaid
Sara and Gloria met in Barnard Hall, the ladies dorm, at SWBTS in September of 2002. Both Sara and Gloria attended Travis Avenue Baptist Church where they were involved in Sunday school and small groups together. Sara has been a tremendous prayer support over the past three and a half years. Sara has just completed a degree in Marriage and Family Counseling. She is originally from Fuquay Varina, North Carolina, but is currently living in Fredricksburg, Virginia.

Heather Petro : : Bridesmaid
Heather and Gloria also met at SWBTS in the Fall of 2002. They attended Travis Avenue Baptist Church together and were involved in a number of small groups together. Heather has been a tremendous support and encouragement to Gloria over the past three years. She also encouraged Gloria to apply with BOCI to serve as senior intern in Guatemala. Heather graduated from SWBTS in December 2005. She and her husband David currently live in Fort Worth, Texas and are expecting their first child in March.

Jen Fernandez : : Bridesmaid
Of all the wedding party, Jen and Gloria go back the furthest. Jen and Gloria met as freshmen at American Senior High School in 1991; however, their friendship did not truly blossom until they were juniors at the School for Advanced Studies. Despite the distance Jen and Gloria have continued to keep in touch since our high school graduation in 1995. Jen and her husband Jorge currently live in Miami Springs, Florida where Jen is a school guidance counselor.

Beth Cooley : : Bridesmaid
Although Beth and Gloria have not known one another very long Gloria is looking forward to having her as a sister-in-law. Beth is a graduate of Baylor University and is currently working for the BAIR Foundation, a Christian Foster Care Agency, in Dallas. She currently lives in Dallas, TX.

Evyn McGraw : : Flower Girl
Evyn is the daughter of Ben and Christi McGraw. She is a tremendously creative and imaginative 8 year old. Gloria has known Evyn since she was 3 and it has been a joy to watch this little girl grow up. She is a constant source of laughter and we love watching her play. Evyn’s brother Luke will also be joining the wedding party as our ringbearer.

Al Escobar : : Best Man
Al, a transplant from Nashville, and Daniel met while living across the hall from each other in Penland Hall at Baylor. He and his wife Karla live in Houston. Al's favorite teams are the Tennessee Volunteers and the Tennessee Titans.

Thomas Cobleigh : : Groomsman
Thomas is one of Gloria's older brothers and he and his wife Tammy live in Paradise, TX. Daniel and Thomas haven't spent a whole lot of time together, but Daniel is looking forward to gaining him as a brother - in - law.

Jordan Curnes : : Groomsman
Jordan and Daniel met in middle school and their families have been friends ever since. Jordan is quite the world traveler; he has virtually traveled around the world twice. Those that know him are less impressed with the extent of his travels and more impressed that those countries let him back in the second time around. Currently he is working towards an MBA at Duke.

Frank McEachern : : Groomsman
Frank and Daniel have been friends since kindergarten and their families became friends as well. Frank recently graduated from the University of Texas Law School, and currently he is working as a slave / attorney at Baker Botts in Dallas.

Jonathan Payne : : Groomsman
Jonathan and Daniel met while living in Penland Hall at Baylor. Jonathan, Lee and Daniel shared an apartment while they were juniors and seniors at Baylor. Jonathan is working as a software trainer for Nielsen Media Research.

James Pevehouse : : Groomsman
James and Daniel are friends from Dallas Theological Seminary where they are both currently students in the ThM program. James is the son of a Baptist pastor and has 6 brothers and 1 sister. James is currently Daniel's roommate. James works for Insight For Living.

Lee Wester : : Groomsman
Lee, a Kansas native, and Daniel were potluck roommates in Penland their freshman year and in an apartment during their junior and senior years (along with Jonathan). Currently, Lee lives in Austin and works as a programmer for Opus Health Care Solutions.

Luke McGraw : : Ring Bearer
Luke is the 6 year old son of Ben and Christi McGraw and the brother of Evyn (our flower girl). Luke likes bears, trains, Star Wars, and going hunting with his dad and b-paw. Luke is just as creative as his sister Evyn and they are great playmates. Gloria has known Luke since he was 2 years old.

Our Engagement Party Pics

Meet some of the members of our Sunday School class at Park Cities Baptist Church.



The soon to be Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Cooley












Pinatas anyone! And no we did not smash them with sticks while blindfolded. Bride and Groom pinatas....who would have thunk?






Who let that guy into the party? Actually, that's Pike, our friend and the wizard of youth ministry. Pike will be marrying Daniel and me.