Wedding Party
Morgan Blessing
Bride
I'm Morgan, and I am currently in school working towards my Doctorate in Physical Therapy. It took me leaving the state and going away to school for Jacob to realize that I liked him, and he liked me too. It only took him 10 years to figure it out, but it has been well worth the wait and I cannot wait to call him my husband. He truly is my perfect match who loves and helps me through everything, and challenges me to be better and want to be better. He takes care for me better than I could have ever asked for, and he cooks! But don't let him fool you when he says he is the better cook. He only says that because he won't let me cook.
Jacob Zenor-Branam
Groom
I'm Jacob and I have the privilege of being the groom. I met Morgan during high school track and totally wooed her with my charming and comedic personality. She may say that I was oblivious for 10 years, but don’t believe her. I was simply playing hard to get. I finally gave in and decided to ask her out. Even though I had issues with distance relationships in the past, I decided this was worth it. I quickly knew that I had made the right choice. Morgan pushes me to find my faults and to grow as a person. She also helps me to see the strengths within my self that I often overlook. Unfortunately, she also tends to remind me to be humble, which is why Battleship is not allowed during weekly date night. Morgan truly is my best friend. Oh, and one more thing: Back off Miranda. She’s mine now.
Miranda Jansen
Matron of Honor
I’m the maid of honor! I met Morgan sophomore year of high school and Jacob shortly after. We all ran track together. Jacob unfortunately pushed his way into my best friend’s heart and now I have to share her.
Gabe Branam
Best Man
Okay, so, I have always known Jacob and it has been so much fun to watch him go from the annoying big brother who always bullied me to the kind caring man who always bullies me. For example, I remember when we were little Jacob and I were outside having a lightsaber battle and I hit my head on a street sign and still have the scar. Now if you ask Jacob he will say that I jumped into the sign on my own free will but in actuality he force pushed me into the sign. Now onto Morgan, no don’t worry I actually like Morgan. She’s such a sweet and kind person and a bit of a nerd; I could not imagine a more perfect person for my brother. I can’t wait to welcome her into our family.
Mary Branam
Bridesmaid
I'm Jacob's baby sister! Morgan was often in and out of our family's house with Jake helping her "study" when they were in high school and college. We all kept telling him that she liked him, but he was oblivious, as usual. The first memory I have with Jacob was very traumatic for my three year old self. I had made a giant snowball, realistically it was a foot wide at most, and Jacob came and jumped on it. He's never changed.
Josh Carmichael
Groomsman
I like to think I met Jacob 3x or maybe God some how said to me each time "adopt this dude as a friend," but it took me 3x to listen. The first was in 6th grade, we were both divers, at the time we were both terrible. The second was in 8th grade, we suffered through math with the worst teacher ever. We hung out alot more in HS, & even more though college. After college he was a groomsman at my wedding. After college, however, he started dating this one memorable girl, Morgan. One reason WHY she was memorable is because we all (friends & family) were thinking yes, she's the one we must call "sister" (or "daughter") while ALSO thinking "DONT MESS THIS UP," or at least that's the PG version. Anyways, congrats to the both of them, they do truly deserve each other, & I wish them the best.
Grace Branam
Bridesmaid
I am Jacob's oldest younger sister and former late night snack run buddy. I'll always remember when we were in high school together, him a senior and me a baby freshman, we had a ritual that anytime someone decided they wanted a snack late at night, Jake and I would climb into his car, turn up the music, and drive out to those Golden Arches and retrieve whatever we all had decided we needed that night. Even though the tradition wasn't the same after he went off to college, that summer is one of my fondest memories.
Nathan Carmichael
Groomsman
I met Jacob through school. It was in Mrs. Hensley STAR class that was 30 mins/day every day for 4 yrs. Jacob, Josh, Emma & myself would play card during this period. Somehow this started what would become a long friendship. In HS, about half of the school thought Jacob was Josh & I's third brother. Through the years Jacob, Josh & I have become like brothers. He is one of my closest friends. Some of my fondest memories have been spending time with him at his house with his family playing yet another card game called "OH Hell." I have seen Jake at his worst & at his best, the latter of the two situations have been when he met Morgan. And I would not be the proper friend that I am if I did not say that she has been a blessing to Jake. I am so happy for Jacob and Morgan.
Taylor Fancher
Bridesmaid
I met Morgan in 4th grade. Growing up we were always doing something or at each other’s house. One thing Ill always remember is that, as we got older Morgan would come over, meaning I was allowed to cook whenever my parents went out to eat because, well, I wasn’t the greatest cook and they knew Morgan wouldn’t burn the house down. I also remember when I was sick and in the hospital Morgan was the only one who came to see me and made sure I was okay. She would always check on how I was progressing and was the first to help when I passed out one day in high school. We had our ups and downs, but I knew I could always count on Morgan to be there when I needed her!
Rutger Vermeulen
Groomsman
I met Jacob when you came to CG in percussion class in middle school then we kept being friends all throughout high school and even after high school. And I believe I played soccer with Morgan at one point in time a long long time ago.
Cecilia Doyle
Bridesmaid
My cousin Morgan has been in my life since I was born; 17 years we’ve been able to know each other & watch each other grow. Growing up we lived far apart, but despite the distance she always kept in touch & supported me. I am the oldest girl of seven & have always looked up to her like an older sister, but better because she doesn't steal my clothes. She's taught me more than she realizes & has made an incredibly positive impact on my life. I cherish every memory of watching her become the amazing person she is today, all the fun times we’ve had & ones to come. From binge watching HP to Mrs. Curl trips to tanning on the beaches of FL, spending time with Morgan has always been amazing. We may be family by chance, but friends by choice. I am blessed & grateful to have a cousin just like her.
Mark Blessing
Groomsman
As one of Morgan's brothers, I have obviously known her my entire life. One memory of her that always sticks with me is the time her and I went to go fishing in a place that I used to go fishing weekly and then seeing her catch the biggest bass that I have seen out of that lake.
Reilly Beaman
Bridesmaid
I have known Morgan my whole life! We grew up with each other in church and I consider her my sister. We always hung out with each other on youth group trips and all sorts of church events. As far as I can remember, Morgan has always been there! Our relationship strengthened when we went to college. We both went to Indiana Wesleyan University for undergrad and we made lots of memories during our time there together. She’s been with me through the worst and she loves me just the same! I wouldn’t trade her for anything!
Matthew Blessing
Groomsman
I'm Matthew, and Morgan is my sister. One thing that I remember is back in high school when my brother Mark and I could not drive yet so Morgan would drive us home from school. In the spring, we would have the windows down and music all the way up jamming as hard as we could. People probably thought we were crazy, but we were having fun.