Little Sister Courtney’s BIG Wedding Surprise
Little Sister Courtney joined Big Brothers Big Sisters in 2013, first meeting her Big Sister Josette at a “Cupcakes and Canvas” activity at the agency. However, she hadn’t the slightest clue that she was enrolled in a program, who this stranger was, or why they were making plans to meet up again. Little did she know, her life was about to change in a big way.
Courtney was first enrolled in the program at 11 years old after her mother passed away, battling breast and brain cancer. This young girl worked to come to terms with her grief, and she soon realized she had another sincere supporter through this process. Struggling with finding out who she was without her mother in her life, Courtney credits Josette with helping her build her confidence back up after this tremendous loss. Her Big Sister also remained by her side through any subsequent family and personal challenges she faced.
“Things started to evolve. She got me out of my shell,” explained Courtney. “Not as if she took on a mother’s role, but she is someone I would go to for advice like a mother, like a cool aunt. But she’ll tell it to me straight like a mother would.”
Courtney describes their more-than-a-decade-long match as a “rollercoaster,” both wild and mellow, fun and chill. Over their many adventures together, the two are now 100% more comfortable with each other, able to be completely honest and even “blunt.” To Courtney, Josette isn’t just someone she met through a program: “She’s not just a Big Sister now. She’s family.”
Courtney faced another hardship about four years ago when her boyfriend, Joey, found out he had a cancerous spot in his mouth, which had spread to his lymph nodes as well. This was the person she wanted to spend her life with, so she stood by his side through his surgeries and a great period of uncertainty. Taking a leap of faith and a bet on their future, they bought a house together, accepting a counteroffer from a hospital room. This time in her life was frightening, harkening back to when her mother passed from cancer, but Courtney never let herself get down. She focused on their future and had faith it would all be alright.
And she was right. After Joey’s second surgery, they found out that he was officially cancer-free.
Now, Courtney is a 2025 University of St. Francis graduate, ready to put her degree in elementary education K-6 with a specialization in SPED K-12 to good use this fall as a 5th-grade teacher. Josette couldn’t be prouder of the strong, resilient, and tenacious woman her Little Sister has become. When Courtney told her she was getting married, Josette knew her Little deserved something special.
That’s where HEYDUDE comes in.
It’s impossible to know Courtney without learning she is the biggest HEYDUDE fanatic. In fact, when she started planning her wedding, the first thing she said was that she needed a dress that wouldn’t require heels: she wanted to wear HEYDUDE shoes. Her love for her signature kicks soon spread to her fiancé, Joey, as well.
“I love HEYDUDE! They’re my favorite shoes ever! They’re comfy, lightweight, and durable. There’s a style for every occasion,” she explained.
Josette got in touch with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA), knowing that they have a partnership with HEYDUDE .
As a surprise, Courtney received a gift of about 20 HEYDUDE shoes in total for herself and her bridal party. The brand went above and beyond for the bride, setting her up with a pink pair to match her bridesmaids, some getting-ready slippers, a bride-ready white pair for the ceremony, and a custom sparkly set for the reception! Her fiancé, Joey, also received 3 pairs for his special day.
This unforgettable surprise leaves this newlywed with a testament to the lifelong and supportive relationships she has formed and the generous spirit that can exist in strangers. Courtney would like to express her sincerest gratitude to everyone who helped make this BIG surprise possible:
“Thank you to HEYDUDE, the team at BBBSA, my Big Sister Josette Rider, and anyone else who has made this happen! I’m so thankful. You guys are phenomenal.”
About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana
Big Brothers Big Sisters’ mission is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. For 50 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters has operated under the belief that the ability to succeed and thrive in life is inherent in all children. As the nation’s largest donor and volunteer-supported mentoring network, Big Brothers Big Sisters’ mission is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. To learn how you can positively impact a child’s life, donate or volunteer at www.bbbsnei.org.
About Crocs, Inc.
Crocs, Inc. (Nasdaq: CROX), headquartered in Broomfield, Colorado, is a world leader in innovative casual footwear for all, combining comfort and style with a value that consumers know and love. The Company’s brands include Crocs and HEYDUDE, and its products are sold in more than 80 countries through wholesale and direct-to-consumer channels. For more information on Crocs, Inc. visit investors.crocs.com. To learn more about our brands, visit www.crocs.com or www.heydude.com. Individuals can also visit https://investors.crocs.com/news-and-events/ and follow both Crocs and HEYDUDE on their social platforms.
