Bryan & Delores
Wedding Party
Anna Dartanyan
Maid of Honor
I met Anna in 2010 during college while working at Bath and Body Works. We very quickly realized we had many things in common: a love of treats, puppies, Christmas, shopping and margaritas... lots and lots of margaritas. Customers and mutual friends often commented how much we looked like sisters, so the term "the sissy's" was quickly adopted. Almost ten years later the sissy's are still best friends.
Sarah McEnderfer
Bridesmaid
I met Sarah while coaching her during her high school softball career. She was a little twirp and a pain in my rear end at first but she quickly grew on me. We got to know each other over the years from the many lengthy road trips to and from softball tournaments and realized we had many things in common including various life experiences as well as impressive shoe collections. She has become my "little sister" and it has been so fun to watch her grow up over the years as well as a pleasure to help mentor her as she begins her college career as both a student and softball player.
Laura Sampers
Bridesmaid
I met Laura during graduate school at St. Scholastica. We realized we were the "same type of people" - we preferred the laid-back, back of the classroom, get bloody mary's at 8am when class is cancelled type of thing versus panicking over tests and projects kind of attitude. We decided to partner on a research project together for our master's thesis and we've never looked back! From girls nights to lounging on the couch watching trash TV, somehow we made it through grad school. The research project might but over, but the laughs and fun continue.
Sara Miller
Bridesmaid
Sara and I met during freshman year of college while watching a softball game and instantly became friends. We spent the next few years causing a raucous just about every where we went. We share a similar love for sarcasm, laughing until we cry and a mutual hatred for the U-Haul company and moving in general. K4L.
Alisha Thunem
Bridesmaid
I met Alisha when I was about 9 years old, she was my next door neighbor back in Bemidji, MN. We quickly became best friends, and like any good friend, she introduced me to many new things including the best music, and in 1999 that was the Spice Girls. Several Halloween costumes as the Spice Girls later, birthday parties, many family trips, and secret trips to the lake front, we remained good friends for many, many years. We've always managed to keep in touch despite the distance various moves have created for us, and I think we have the Spice Girls to thank for that.
Hannah McDonald
Bridesmaid
Hannah and I met in January of 2018 - I remember it very clearly because I was incredibly nervous to meet Bryan's family (in my defense - there are a LOT of McDonalds!). Hannah however won me over very soon my asking if I'd like anything to drink and while I was expecting water, soda, etc, she suggested a margarita. SHE MAKES THE BEST MARGARITAS. And that is why she was chosen. Also, she's Bryan's sister. But mostly because margaritas. I'll meet weird strangers with you anywhere Hannah, as long as there's margaritas involved.
Claire McDonald
Bridesmaid
I also met Claire in January 2018 while meeting all of Bryan's family (again, rough day for me, there are a lot of 'em) but Claire made me feel right at home. Over the last year and a half we have found common loves of La Croix (not the gross coconut kind though, no matter how much she tells you it's good, it's not), giving her brother (my fiance) and her dad a hard time (about anything and everything), gardening (succulents mostly) and trading those succulents for beers at the bar.
Kevin Middlekauf
Best Man
I taught Kevin everything he knows about pizza bagels and wearin' balloon hats. He wouldn't be anywhere he is today without me, specifically in those areas - otherwise he's doing just fine. He DID show me how to get all 120 gold stars in Mario 64 so it's not like he's not contributing here. I'm honored to call Kevin my friend and am so thankful for all of the great times and memories we've shared over the years. Near or far, he's a good boy. (p.s. Kevin and I did also make a marriage pact when we were 21 that locked us into a mandatory marriage when he turns 40 so I guess we'll just cross that bridge when we get there.)
Chris Cichon
Groomsman
Goodness gracious, this man right here is one of the most caring, giving, hospitable and considerate people to have ever walked the face of the earth. Most of these little blurbs about my groomsmen are coated with a heavy layer of sarcasm, but Chris Cichon deserves a moment of honest truth. Life has presented itself to Chris in many different forms over the years, and at every turn, Chris has been an unwavering source of wisdom and strength not only for himself, but to everyone around him. I am, without question, a better man for having known Chris. However, he shan't escape my sarcastic clutches unscathed - he thought a "coin laundry" was a place where people washed their dirty coins until he was like 26 so he definitely isn't perfect. Buyer beware.
Jordan McDonald
Groomsman
I've always thought of myself as being a generally outgoing person, but looking back on life, I've realized that I owe a significant portion of that to my older brother Jordan. Always having something fun to do, always leaving his door open to new friends and sharing experiences with mine - I've always had a familiar outlet to goof off. I believe his consistent influence eventually developed into a core pillar of my confidence. I'm truly grateful for that. Your WWE phase definitely left me with a few welts and bruises, and that one time you tried (successfully) to lose me in the middle of the forest while we were camping left me with some emotional damage but I guess it was all for a reason, right? Also if you were the one who put aftershave in my toothpaste you can stop lying about it.
Tim McDonald
Groomsman
I've known Tim for a long time and even though he got a couple of weird lookin' big toes, he's got a biggole huge heart for his friends and his family. He's my brother so he's basically guaranteed a spot but I think I'd probably have him up here even if he wasn't. He's the kind of guy who gives everyone a reason, regardless of their age or height, to look up to him. In fact, I have found him thinking of reasons everyone should look up to him. and when he meets someone new, he gives them a reason immediately after introducing himself to that new person. "Hi, I'm Tim and I have read more books than you probably ever will, so please just accept the fact that regardless of your height you now have a reason to look up to me." Kinda weird at first but you get used to it. Pretty good guy.
Sam McDonald
Groomsman
Sam, as the name would suggest, is my brother and if you're trying to pick him out of a crowd, just look for the one who looks like a sexy GI Joe. Guy has muscles and manners for days. Not sure if he's considered acting but I heard they were looking for a new Bond... Daniel Craig was great but I got a feeling here. Sam has a huge heart and is always the first to ensure those around him are taken care of. He's a caring dog-dad. He knows what he wants. He finds humor in the little things and I'm honored to call him my brother.
Jordan Martin
Groomsman
Not bad, Jordan. Even though you forgot my name when we were in Mexico in high school you still were able to be a groomsman in my wedding.
Bryan Balsamo
Groomsman
Most of you are probably scanning the lineup wondering "wow, Bryan has some great friends and family supporting him on his wedding day - I wonder why he asked the other Bryan to be his groomsman? People might be confused since they have the same name." I did that to make it obvious that even though two people can have the same name, there can definitely be a better Bryan. I also figure a good way to determine which Bryan is which is to remember that "the better Bryan is marrying Delores and the other Bryan is at the end of the line." Zing! But really Bryan has been a consistent professional and personal mentor to me for over 7 years. He has shown an unfaltering devotion to professional integrity after which I have modeled my entire career. You're the man - I'm grateful for your guidance.
Weston Sandlin
Ring Bearer
I remember first hearing about Weston over dinner with my cousin Raquel while I was in Denver for a clinical rotation. I was confused why Raquel didn't get any wine with dinner, and it was then she told me of Weston's existence. I guess I forgive him now. I met Weston when he was roughly 2 years old when I went to visit Raquel and her family after spending the weekend in Denver with some friends. We spent the better part of the day at the zoo and Weston wanted me to carry him everywhere all over the zoo. Not much changed this summer as we all headed to Florida for our grandparent's anniversary party and we got to hang out at the beach.
Kiera Sandlin
Flower Girl
Kiera is my cousin Raquel's little girl and Weston's little sister, and I finally got to meet her last summer at our grandparent's wedding anniversary where she quickly took to me while playing at the beach. For the rest of the trip I was her personal slave (basically) and I didn't even mind. Watch out for her killer dance moves and vocal solo's during the reception!