Wedding Party
Julia Albertson
Bride
Julia grew up in Hygiene, Colorado. She was a total band nerd. She went to the Colorado School of Mines (located in Golden, Colorado) for Petroleum Engineering. Julia also has her MBA from Colorado State University. Julia loves to travel and has spent time living in various locations with her work, including Asia and Louisiana. But she's always stayed loyal to her Colorado sports teams (but is really starting to appreciate the Ohio teams). Julia loves puzzles and board games. Julia lives in Frederick, Colorado with Brandon, her cat (French Toast), Brandon's cats (Myles and Chubb), and their dogs (Pip and Dominio).
Brandon Heyman
Groom
Brandon grew up in Forest, Ohio playing basketball and almost every other sport except football in high school. He was a valedictorian and went on to study Mechanical Engineering at Ohio Northern University. He has a Masters of Engineering Management from Ohio University. Brandon has worked on and off for GE since he graduated which is what brought him to Colorado in 2016. Even though he has been in Colorado for 8 years, his loyalty to Ohio teams is too strong and can't be overcome (although he is becoming more of a Colorado Avalanche fan). Brandon loves board games and dreams of one day opening his own board game bar. Brandon lives in Frederick, Colorado with Julia, his cats (Myles and Chubb), Julia's cat (French Toast) and their dogs (Pip and Domino).
Robyn Zakavec
Matron of Honor
Robyn is Julia's younger sister and best friend! They love going to concerts together, running 5ks, watching the Colorado Avalanche and Denver Broncos, and re-watching the Office, Grey's Anatomy, or Gilmore Girls. When Julia moved from Denver up north to Frederick it was so great to be closer to Robyn, especially when Robyn's kids were born! Julia and Brandon go to Robyn's house every Wednesday night for "Family Dinner", a tradition that started during Covid and has continued on without fail as long as most of the family is in town. Robyn lives in Longmont, Colorado with her husband (Dave) and her two kids (AJ and Cale).
Steven Nyeste
Best Man
Steven was part of Brandon’s larger post-college friend group, but they didn’t know each other well. In 2019, Steven messaged Brandon asking for some suggestions on what to do on his trip to Colorado. Then during Covid, they began talking on Facebook Messenger non-stop. The day after Steven’s bachelor party he flew to Colorado to spend the week with Brandon because Brandon was going through a hard time. Then for Steven’s wedding, Brandon went on his first real international trip to Budapest. When Brandon told Steven he wanted to read more books, the two formed a book club (of just them) and they held each other accountable for reading more books (highly recommend Project Hail Mary, The MurderBot Diaries, and Dungeon Crawler Carl). Steven lives in Burlington, Vermont with his wife (Amanda), dog (Jesse), and two cats (Frank and Dean).
Jennifer Woodnal Strong
Bridesmaid
Jenn and Julia met in second semester freshman year of college at the Colorado School of Mines when Julia was rushing the Alpha Phi sorority wearing her "The Starting Line" t-shirt. Jenn knew that with their similar taste in music, Julia needed to join Alpha Phi, and the rest was history. They lived together at the sorority house sophomore and junior year, and when they both graduated, Jenn moved to Louisiana. About a year later, Julia got a job in Louisiana as well, and six months later, they were living together in Baton Rouge. When Julia's job took her to Asia and then back to Denver, Jenn and Julia still find time to go on trips together to concerts, taste wine, or see some of their favorite TV stars as much as they can. Jenn lives in Baton Rouge, Louisiana with her two kids (Avery and Everett).
Kyle Frias
Groomsman
Kyle and Brandon met when Kyle moved to Riverdale school district in the 6th grade. They had many adventures before Kyle moved to Colorado with the Air Force. And naturally, when Kyle moved back to Ohio, Brandon moved to Colorado. They still get together for Fricker’s wings or Tony’s ribs nearly every time Brandon is back in Ohio. They frequently discuss Ohio sports. Kyle lives in Findlay, Ohio with his wife (Lindsay), and three kids (Noah, Mason, and Makayla).
Jessica Utter
Bridesmaid
Jessica and Julia met before freshman year of high school during marching band camp and grew closer throughout high school as they shared many of the same experiences of difficult classes, their love of Something Corporate, and hockey. When Jessica went to Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Julia and Jessica spent many weekends traveling to the each other's school, sometimes with a carload of friends, to visit each other. When Julia moved back to Denver in 2013 and bought a house, Jessica moved in and they adopted two cats together, which they both still raise one of. They lived together for two and a half years in downtown Denver and enjoyed watching Five Points transform and grow. Jessica lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband (Doug) and cats (Clive and Anise)
George Chesney
Groomsman
George and Brandon met when George transferred to Ohio Northern for Mechanical Engineering. They met on a Tuesday night at the Regal Beagle (local bar) and immediately formed a bromance. That Friday they road tripped to Chicago for a weekend with George’s brothers and cousins. The inside jokes were immediate and the laughs have never stopped. George lives in the Cleveland, Ohio area with his wife (Ashley), and five kids (Brooke, Maggie, Emmie, Gracie, and Ted).
Elizabeth Foley
Bridesmaid
Elizabeth and Julia met in 2006 when Elizabeth rushed the Alpha Phi sorority. They always loved being true dorks with each other and making each other laugh. After college, Elizabeth went to grad school and Julia went to Asia and they drifted in separate directions until a mutual friends wedding brought them back together and it was like no time had passed. Julia travels to California often for work and has dinner with Elizabeth whenever she can when she is there. Elizabeth lives in San Francisco, California with her husband (Michael) and her dog (Java) and cats (Lyra and Koda)
Andy Staats
Groomsman
Andy and Brandon met over a game of Cosmic Frog at a Longmont Board Games and Beer meetup. They quickly bonded over their love of board games, being let down by their football teams, and inability to process dairy. Both grew up in the Midwest (which may explain why they particularly enjoy trick takers) and have traveled to Portland together for a trick taking convention. They try to frequently get together for game nights and vegan cheese tastings. Andy lives in Longmont, Colorado with his wife (Rachel), and dog (Lebowski).
Kelli Heyman
Bridesmaid
Kelli is Brandon's favorite sister! Brandon grew up always trying to help Kelli with various things, like feeding her as a baby. But Kelli was stubborn and this more than once ended with the food on Kelli's head. Now that she is grown up, its often Kelli who is helping Brandon and Julia. She is frequently answering their medical related questions as Kelli is the family nurse. Kelli has spent a lot of time traveling as a nurse and as well as in her free time. It is one of the things her and Julia bonded over. They strengthened their bond when facing Brandon's infamous hangry outbursts together, reaching new levels of friendship! Kelli also indulges Julia and Brandon in some friendly family competition when they are back in Ohio by playing lots of board games with them. Kelli lives in Findlay, Ohio with her dog (Bailey).
Eric Holbrook
Groomsman
Eric and Brandon probably met for the first time during the Hardin County Sophomore Youth Leadership program, but who knows really because the two have had very similar paths. They also played basketball against each other while in high school. And when Brandon went to Ohio Northern, of course Eric was also there for Mechanical Engineering! The two lived together in Cincinnati during a Co-op rotation, and again their senior year at ONU. They’ve both also spent more time than they’d probably like to admit working for GE. Eric is also partially responsible for Brandon getting into modern board games by introducing him to Settlers of Catan in college. Eric lives in the Dayton, Ohio area with his wife (Kathryn), and four kids (Faith, Jonathan. Liam, and Esther).
Keith Albertson
Officiant
Keith is Julia's little (younger, not smaller) brother! While they were growing up he would often ask "wanna play a game?" to his two older sister's so it amuses Keith now that Julia found Brandon who may ask Julia that question even more often than he used to. Keith is an avid sports fan and he and Julia love to text during games when their teams are doing well/poorly to cheer/complain. He also enjoys finding ways to poke fun at Brandon's teams whenever he gets a chance, giving Brandon the true taste of what having a little brother is like. Brandon and Julia cannot wait for Keith and his family to move back to Colorado this fall so they can spend more time with them. Keith currently lives in Phoenix, Arizona with his wife (Casey), son (Camden), and dog (Avery).