Wedding Party
Lindsay Murphy
Maid of Honor
Morgan & Linz have been friends since their rowdy college days back at Florida State University in Tallahassee or back then referred to "Talla-nasty". From mutual friend groups and a shared class together, they became study buddies meeting up at Strozier Library for some late night cram sessions before exams. Then quickly hit it off and started meeting at the local brewery, Proof, which was almost exactly in the middle between their places so walking to meet for a beer became norm. We quickly became close friends with both having a flare for the outdoors and adventure and down for anything while having fun! Morgan recalls the moment she knew they were more alike than she realized. It was a rainy day and Lindsay invited Morgan over to watch a movie at her house; Lindsay asked her to login to her laptop to get the movie started, I needed the password and Lindsay told me the word, and it was the exact same password as mine! We had matching passwords! (I can't expose our passwords because I still use mine today.) With Morgan being a preppy sorority girl and Lindsay being the rad whitewater kayaker, the odds were against us being friends. Our friendship only proves how open-minded we both are and giving each other a chance played out in our favor as Lindsay is by-far one of the best friends I've ever had the pleasure of having. I am absolutely honored and beyond grateful to have her by my side as my Maid of Honor.
Chris Carter
Best Man
Jon met Chris at the zeroth minute on the zeroth day of his life. Strangely, Chris hung around Jon for the first 14 years of Jon's life, showing him all the things not to do, that is, if Jon wanted to stay out of trouble with the adults. Chris was sure to really push Jon to his limits, often ending in a solid grounding for both of them in their shared room, with 6ft tall dressers in the middle to keep them separated. That all ended the day Chris left for college, the two wouldn't live in the same city for another 17 years. Yet, once Jon left home for far away places, Chris made a point to always visit him. He travelled to Colorado, Utah, and even Spain to hang with his younger bro. No matter the distance, he always showed up. That's Chris for you. He'll always be there, and he'll Now, Chris and Jon have the privilege of living less than 5 minutes from each other. After nearly 2 decades apart, the brothers are finally able to hang out on a weekly basis, making up for lost time. He's by far Jon's favorite brother (of 1 to choose from) and will be the best Best Man Jon could've asked for.
Daniel Parham
Bridesman
Daniel is Morgan's older brother and is the closest family member she has. From years of tormenting her throughout their childhood, they didn't become "friends" until after Daniel moved out for college. In our adulthood Daniel has been an amazing brother, constantly checking in and keeping in touch by coming to visit and even driving Jon's truck camper across the country during his cancer treatment. Morgan can now look past the annoying older brother she had as a kid and see the kind hearted, overly generous and thoughtful big brother she has now as an adult. She couldn't ask for a better big brother and is very happy he agreed to be a Bridesman!
Seth Orton
Groomsman
It was 2010 when Seth and Jon met that fateful day on the ski-bus up to Snowbird Ski Resort outside of Salt Lake City. The company was good enough on the bus, that they figured it would be good enough on the chair... and, strange enough, both were even better company on the downhill. This became the longest bus relationship in the history of mankind. Jon would leave for college for four years in Spain, and upon returning to Salt Lake City, he and Seth picked up where they left off, skiing in the Wasatch. Jon's first day backcountry skiing was with Seth almost 15 years ago now, and they continue to indulge in the backcountry ski experience to this day. From surf trips in the Baja, to ski trips in Chile, Jon and Seth have formed a great bond over a shared passion for combining travel and adventure. Something Jon looks forward to continuing for decades to come.
Mary Pautler
Bridesmaid
Morgan and Mary met through Jon's friendship with The Pautler's and quickly hit it off. Mary is like the older sister I've never had! Mary has the biggest heart and has always been an extremely kind, supportive, and thoughtful friend through the 6 years of our friendship. By far her best ski buddy at Snowbird and is so helpful in all areas of life. Morgan knows we will be friends for life and is so grateful that Jon has good friends to now call her own!
Tim Pautler
Groomsman
Tim has been described as Jon's brother from another mother... And this couldn't be more true from one of the first times they met (on another Groomsman's bachelor party...) when Tim's ID worked for both him and Jon, who forgot his wallet at camp, to indulge in a post-mountain bike beer. Soon after, they became good ski buddies up at Snowbird that season with many mid-week powder days to reminisce. Tim, and his wife Mary, became truly great friends. Inviting Jon over for Thanksgiving dinners, including him on adventures, and even flying out to visit Jon and Morgan in Minnesota while Jon was going through chemo. Not many would give up the Wasatch powder for the Minnesota ice during winter, but Tim did. Jon's looking forward to many more adventures with Tim that include summits, immature laughs, a few risky moments, and at least one or two self-deprecating jokes.
Samantha Beesley
Bridesmaid
Morgan and Samantha met while working as concierge at The Cliff Lodge when Morgan moved back to Utah after Jon's cancer diagnosis and treatment in Minnesota. They immediately hit it off and had so much in common that the work chats weren't long enough. From skiing to e-dance, we've grown so close in a few short years that it feels like we've been friends for a lifetime! Samantha is like the little sister Morgan never had but Samantha is wise beyond her years and has always been a supportive and loving friend during their friendship. Samantha is always open to deep chats and down for weird adventures that very few others would be interested in joining Morgan for. So grateful for these memories with you lovely Samantha and am so grateful for your light in my life!
Hank Rubenstein
Groomsman
Hank and Jon met, like many in the Wasatch do, during one of the famous Interlodge Snowstorms. Due to major uncontrolled avalanche concerns, roads to the ski resorts close and it's illegal to leave any building (hotel, house, etc...). So, after hours "locked" inside a hotel room, awaiting the Greatest Snow on Earth, Jon and Hank learned to like each other... And after an epic day finally going outside and skiing, they made it official and became Facebook Friends (jk, but for the story's sake, it sounded good). Since then, Hank has convinced Jon to "enjoy" long-distance trail running, bringing Jon along on "fun runs" for 40-50 miles of running through the Grand Canyon or around the Teton's, and more. When you're far from help, hours into a day, some of them throughout the night, dehydrated, and certainly at a calorie deficit, you learn a lot about each other. Jon has learned that Hank likes Ice Cream. A lot. And Hank learned that Jon likes snacks. A lot. (so much so Jon built a snack company). Jon looks forward to continuing to pursue annual "fun runs" with Hank in places new and afar, all for the sake of hazing ourselves and pretending that we're getting stronger even though were getting older.
Megan McDonald
Bridesmaid
Megan and Morgan met during the first summer Morgan moved to Utah in 2018 while working as a "tron" at the Alta Lodge. Megan had just returned from her summer ski camp instructing job and was one of the friendliest people Morgan had met in Alta so far. She offered to teach Morgan how to ski her first season and even how to mountain bike ride a few years later. Morgan has always been so appreciative of how inclusive and welcoming Megan was to her in those early days and now it's been nearly 6 years of friendship and amazing adventures together exploring the Utah mountains. Megan is one of those friends who always has your side on things and looks out for me even in times when I don't necessarily look out for myself. I'm so grateful to have her as a friend and can't imagine my life in Utah without her!
Evan Schutt
Groomsman
Evan and Jon met one fateful day on the chairlift at Snowbird. And, after having spent the whole day "sending" it (as big as two wanna-be amateurs do), they decided they should at least share a bowl of ramen together. That day has led to countless days spent together, whether that be in the mountains, on road trips to the Baja to surf, or roadtrippin' around Europe in search of rock climbing and World Cup Soccer games (to party), Evan and Jon have been through a lot together. Loads of laughs, plenty of nights spent solving the worlds problems over a beer, hours tied together on a climbing rope keeping each other "safe", and time spent on the road enjoying music and the pending adventure has led to a strong friendship not often found on a ski chairlift. While Jon lived in a truck camper, working for a local non-profit, Evan opened up his home to Jon in a way that not many ever would. No matter what, Evan is the person who will always step up for his friends, and will also tell them when they need to get their act together. Jon's looking forward to many more years of laughs, climbing, and adventures together with this incredible human named Evan.
Sean Weeks
Bridesman
Morgan and Sean met through The Alta Lodge while working there and quickly discovered they had both taught English in Thailand just nearly missing each other by a few weeks! Their mutual passion for international travel and adventure made their friendship quick and easy. Sean has been a wonderful friend to Morgan and has always been someone in her corner to give solid advice or simply offer help without hesitation. My friendship with Sean has always felt so effortless and based on humor and laughs! Still to this day I can't tell is Sean is being serious or sarcastic, but I love that about him and it reminds me that life doesn't need to be taken so seriously. Look forward to many more camping trips and travels with you! But maybe not anymore scary Halloween movies... Sean is also the amazing baker artist of our wedding cake! So if you like the cake you know who to thank.
Eric Rameriz
Groomsman
It was the last day of Jon's Avalanche Level 1 course, and all of a sudden, there was a new kid... or man, really. One, who like Jon, also asked a lot questions... One, who like Jon, also seemed to have read a book or two on the topic of avalanches and backcountry skiing... One, who also like Jon, seemed to enjoy talking about gear, snow, science, and all things skiing. The two had spent 4+ hours chatting away in the woods while other course-mates seemed preoccupied with figuring out their layering, Jon and Eric were trying to develop a new piece of gear in their minds, for fun. As the course came to an end, and the final exam was ten minutes away from beginning, Eric invited Jon to join him for a beer at his truck. That's when Jon truly new he liked this guy... Since then, Jon and Eric have gone on countless backcountry tours and ski trips together, from Cooke City and yurt trip in the Wallowa Mountains, to Rogers Pass in Canada. More so, they've also found a shared love over mountain biking and rock climbing, finding ways to pass the time while they wait for ski season to begin again. While Jon and Morgan spent the summer after cancer up in Glacier National Park, Eric flew up there to join them on a backpacking trip, really making the effort to show up when times were tough. To many more gear talk days on the trail, random adventures that feel spur of the moment, and to solving the worlds problems, one business venture at a time.