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Bridesmaids
Kristin - Matron of Honor - Sister of the Bride
When I was growing up, I'd often talk about how my sister and I were so different. Looking back, this is hilarious, because from a very young age, all I did was follow her around and try to be more like her. That looked slightly different as I got older since I couldn't literally follow her around anymore, but Kristin still inspired a lot of things in my life. She's funny and smart and kind (unless she's hangry) and strong. I've been lucky to have her around as a guiding force, and I'm thankful that we've managed to not just be sisters but truly friends. The distance is tough, but we always have our sister trips!
Jordyn - Friend of the Bride
Jordyn and I met in middle school as part of a show choir we performed in together. I can't pinpoint an exact moment when we became best friends, we just fell so naturally into it. We really grew up together, from awkward middle schoolers to sometimes troublemaking high schoolers to the women we are now. Jordyn's fearlessness and vivaciousness has brought so much light and fun into my life and I'm so thankful for the already 16+ years we've known each other. I look forward to many more nights staying up too late in the hot tub talking and debating the most ridiculous things and listening to her hot takes.
Kelsy - Friend of the Bride
I first became friends with Kelsy doing the musical Alice in Wonderland in 8th grade. We connected during the show over cheesy songs and stressful rehearsals (once I got over that she got cast as Alice when I was cast as... the Cheshire Cat). I'm so thankful I got to know her then, because while I didn't know it yet, that blossoming friendship would change my life years later when it made me brave enough to sit with her and Makayla in our study hall. Through that study hall, we became the Focus 3, a tight knit trio that has carried me through life's rollercoaster. Kelsy is loving, compassionate, and fiercely loyal, and I'm so thankful to have her in my life.
Makayla - Friend of the Bride
I got to know Makayla in middle school, but we truly connected junior year of high school as part of our study hall with Kelsy. Despite her claims of having an RBF, I truly believe to know her is to love her. She's always been willing to lend an ear when I need someone to talk to, and her genuine kindness and love and support for her friends and her family (s/o to G&P!!!) are so clear to see. I'm lucky to call her my friend, and I know many more nights watching High School Musical and dominating in beer pong are in our future.
Mattie - Sister of the Groom
When I met Mattie the first time she was eleven and I was honestly very nervous. I know how much Zach loves his little sister, so I really wanted her to like me. Once I got to spend more time with her, the similarities between her and Zach are so clear, even though they're years apart. That just made it so easy to love her. Watching her go from that little girl to the young woman she is now has been so much fun, and even it's cliche, it really did feel like it all happened so fast. So excited to see what's in store for her.
Rachel - Friend of the Bride
After I moved back to Wisconsin and transferred to Madison, all I was looking for was a space in an apartment where the girls were normal and friendly enough. What I got instead was Rachel, who went from a random roommate I found on facebook to one of my best friends. We've had so many great experiences together, including lots of great travels, largely because Rachel is always down to go on an adventure. Even though we were random roomies, we ended up living together for 3 years, and we always had so much fun with spontaneous wine nights, cooking for each other, and running next to each other on treadmills in our mediocre apartment gyms. My life is better because I met her on facebook.
Groomsmen
Hobey - Best Man - Friend of the Groom
Hobey was my next door neighbor our freshman year of college and eventual roommate our senior year. We had many long nights watching The Office, How I Met Your Mother, and Friends, which continues to contribute endless quotes to our dialogue. We've traveled far and wide together, ranging from Mizzou football games in Knoxville and Atlanta to me visiting his family for Thanksgiving in Minnesota a few times over the years. He's truly the "bestest mensch" in my life and I'm grateful to have him stand by my side on my wedding day, as I did for him.
Max - Friend of the Groom
Bit of a theme here: Max was my office neighbor when he started working in 2017. We immediately hit it off when I noticed the dinosaur socks he was wearing. We went to the Union Terrace in Madison to imbibe that day and never looked back. Some of my most memorable (and not-so-memorable nights, if you know what I mean) have started and ended with him in tow. He was by my side the night I met Emily and will be by my side when I marry her.
Shannon - Friend of the Groom
My friendship with Shannon has grown immensely over the years, but began as part of a Twilight watch-party group with Max and others. We would make up fun rules to go with each film that would keep us "hydrated" and we always had a blast. We began hanging out more and more: bowling, seeing concerts together, adding in other films to our watch parties (ahem, Jeff Goldblum), and just discussing life. I'm thankful for being able to discuss our emotions on any topic. A nice perk is that she keeps her boyfriend/my friend, Max, in line now that I live on a different continent.
Steven - Friend of the Groom
Steven and I met through Mizzou's freshman orientation program, Summer Welcome. The early mornings and late nights seemed inconsequential with such a fun-loving and genuinely compassionate man going through it with me. We lit up the world at the late night dance parties during SW before taking the show to Roxy's and Penguin Piano Bar in downtown Columbia during our last years there. He eventually made his way to KC for work, which I selfishly loved because I could see him when I visited home post-college. I can always count on him to make time for me when the opportunity arises, like when he and his partner visited London a few months ago and spent one of their last full days with us. That is a truly rare quality and something I appreciate greatly.
Taylor - Friend of the Groom
Taylor was my roommate for our first 2 years of college. He's the reason I'm a Tottenham Hotspur supporter and football fan in general, something that now feels so integral to who I am. The number of nights we stayed up late and had FIFA tournaments in our room with half our floor cannot be quantified. You find out a lot about someone you live with, much of which you end of being grateful for and reminiscing about when your time together comes to an end. We've only gotten closer since graduating and I love our long chats while he is on road trips.
Aaron - Uncle of the Groom
The first thing he ever said upon seeing me after I was born was that I looked like a "pork chop." Thus began the never-ending trend of all of his friends knowing me as "Pork." I wouldn't change it for the world. He's the best uncle I could ask for and has been supportive throughout my life. He lived in Columbia during my time at Mizzou, and he would often make home-cooked meals and always let me do laundry every Sunday while I was in college. He also provided so much school and career advice when I needed it most. One of the coolest moments of my life to date was when he was able to tap me into one of Mizzou's secret societies in front of a crowded Jesse Hall auditorium. Not many people can say they've experienced something like that.
Officiant
Written by Emily
Austin - Friend of the Bride and Groom
I originally met Austin because I had moved into the apartment next door to his. Over the next years, we ended up spending a lot of time together and our friend group got very tight. The two of us weren't immediately close to each other, but I think I always secretly had a sense that Austin was meant to be one of my closest friends. Even before we actually were super close, I'd still inexplicably have him as my drunken confidante. We eventually started spending more time together outside of the big groups, forming more and more inside jokes and just clicking independently, until he actually did become one of my closest friends. Now that he and Zach are also close friends, we decided to have him as our officiant. We used to joke that he would marry us because he was ordained. Added bonus that Zach and I could avoid fighting over who would get him in their wedding party because now we say he's in both. :)
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