Dennis & Misty
5.2.2015
Big Sur, CA
The Gents.
Doug Akers
Groomsman
(AKA Doug-ass, AKA Dougie Doug Doug Best Friend Doug)
Doug is my oldest brother and one thing I can say about him is he loves roller coasters. He also loves flying 30+ hours from Singapore to visit his brothers when we have weddings. HA! Yes, he wins the “Longest Travel” award for this wedding.
When we were kids we would play “Spook Come In” for hours. It was a game where we would all hide in one room with the lights off and someone would wait outside. When everyone was in their desired hiding spots we would yell “SPOOK COME IN” and the person outside would open the door and try to find everyone.
We also made hours of short films together. We would dig up the backyard and create miniature cities that would blow up with the technical use of fireworks.
Doug is an inspiration to many people including myself. The epitome of handwork and dedication.
I am very proud of brother Doug and everything he’s accomplished in life and with his career.
I am excited to see him again and eat Chipolte.
Rudy Dean Akers
Groomsman
(AKA Ru-Dawg, AKA Lil' Roo)
The youngest of the five of the Akers boys. Being the youngest definitely has it's perks. For one, I have thought he was 21 for the last two years. Turns out he is only 19. Who'da thunk!
Rudy is the king of witty comments and memorizing weird trivia facts. And, let's not ignore the fact that he will probably have better hair than most of the women at the wedding.
He knows how to kick flip a skateboard. That is cool.
He and David both are blessed with the ability to liven up any room they walk into for the first time. We will for sure cut some rugs at the wedding and maybe sing 'Playboys of The Southwestern World" at the top of our lungs.
Dominic "DJ" Caro
Groomsman
(AKA DomennnEEK)
Where do I begin with Dominic. Well, first of all, we call him DJ. I met him my freshman year of high school one night when I went over to Sharkey's house to hang out. They both went to Tampa Catholic their freshman year and played football together.
He holds a special place in my heart for being the first person to ever get me so drunk that I threw up. We bought a bottle of grey goose and drank it out a Burger King cup filled with ice. Long story short, I woke up on my couch at home and began my best interpretation of the throw up scene from "The Exorcist".
He taught my beautiful fiance how to throw a cast net to catch bait and taught me his secret to hooking a shrimp.
Even though he is tough to have a debate with, I am truly happy to call him my friend. YOU SEXAAAYY.
Dustin Akers
------->**Best Man**<-------
(AKA Dud)
It’s tough picking a ‘Best Man’ when you have such great brothers and wonderful friends.
As kids, I would copy his fantastic sense of style. No one could rock a XXL FUBU Baseball jersey as good as Dustin though. If that didn’t weigh him down enough, his No Limit Soldier medallion on his silver chain would do the trick.
We spent almost all hours of the day playing basketball on our lowered basketball goal in the front yard. He jumped higher and stayed in the air longer than almost anyone I knew. (I still would dunk on him though. He’s a wuss)
We’ve gone to college together, lived together, done Gasparilla together, worked together, and even got fired together.
Dustin is the definition of a genuine person. He is a great brother, a great friend, and now a Best man. Ha!
His nickname might be ‘Dud’ but he is anything but that. He is one of the most detail oriented, organized, OCD people I know. He can fix anything! I am so proud of him and his new business!
Sharkey Bowers
Groomsman
(AKA Shark, AKA The White Whale, AKA The White Elephant)
I have the privledge of being best friends with Sharkey for over 20 years.
We had a childhood filled with potato cannons, fire works, and trampoline basketball.
High School brought a new set of adventures with it. Sharkey's family purchased a plot of land we called 'The Ranch' and we found ourselves up there almost every weekend. Trail rides, fishing, and lighting Christmas Trees on fire shaped our teen years.
We are now 'grown up' and are past the days of 'just one" at Dubliner on Wednesday nights are sadly over. That's ok. We have too many stories to recall (or not recall). We have good ones, bad ones, and ugly ones. That's what best friends are for.
Thomas Farrior
Groomsman
(AKA T-Bag)
One of my earliest memories of Thomas was when he got shot in the face with a paintball gun while riding a four wheeler at Sharkey's ranch. HA!
We were both members of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, but at different schools. He actually broke the "Akers Family Fishing Curse" and put me on a HUGE tarpon one summer.
He is one of the funniest people I know and can tell a story better than anyone.
He's been a Cure-Runner, a Titanic survivor, and a crucial member of the 'Three Amigos" Gasparilla clan.
Oh, and don't worry...Dinosaur will play at the wedding.
WAR DAMN EAGLE!
David Akers
Groomsman
(AKA Dennis)
I had a motto in the latter years of my collegiate career.
“WWDD” or "What Would David Do?”
This motto took me to Europe (twice), on a 6,900 mile road trip, and had influences on countless nights out around Tampa.
If you strive to live each day to the fullest, make new friends, and dare to be different…well…You are living the WWDD lifestyle! Haha.
I am proud to call him my brother and excited for what life will bring his way.
PS. David, could you please sing "If I Die Young" for everyone at the wedding?? Thanks. Your voice is that of 10,000 angels.
Jerome Gale Robbins III
Groomsman
(AKA J-Rob, AKA Lil' Boot Cup)
Jack is one of those friends that you can count on to make you laugh. If you have the priviledge of being friends with him on Facebook and read his status updates you would agree.
He is one of the most sarcastic people I know, and does a very nice "Kip" impression (from Napoleon Dynomite).
He is one of the 'Three Amigos" with Thomas and me on Gasparilla. You cannot miss his top hat and whistle blowing during parade day. HA!
His hidden talent is being able to boot anywhere without anyone noticing. Whether it is a black tie event or a night out on Howard, he is able to able to keep his cool and sometimes even nuture the plants.
He is one of the few Gator fans I can tolerate.
(Kinda)
I am blessed to have him as my friend, and as a part of my wedding day. Go Bulls.
Dustin Eldridge
Groomsman
(AKA Eldridge)
I have put this page together starting with my brothers and then with my friends as they came into my life.
Dustin was my first roommate in college and we hit it off pretty quickly. (Well, more of a 'suitemate' because we had our own rooms.) He has always been a go getter and continues each day to strive for greatness.
When it comes to sports, he has an amazing memory. It's scary how many players names, numbers, position, colleges, etc he know right off the top of his head!
I'm proud of his and his quest to become something great. Even if that meant he had to move to Dallas to do so.
I am also honored to be his Best Man for his upcoming wedding in March.