Caryn & Jeffrey's Wedding
Wedding Party
Amanda Kranz
Matron of Honor
Caryn's older and much wiser Sister Bear. Thank Amanda for getting Caryn because she asked Santa for a baby sister and a Totally Hair Barbie. The best older sister, girl boss, mom extraordinaire, and Caryn's biggest fan. While the years of 1991-2015ish were a little rough, she and Caryn can't live without eachother.
Dan Fleming
Best Man
Met Dan in college working at Menards, we went to Officer Candidate School together. I commissioned Dan as an officer and we deployed together to Japan. Against his pregnant wife's wishes, I dragged him to Washington DC after January 6th where we made memories of a lifetime walking through places we had no business being in.
Wendy Colon
Bridesmaid
Started at the gluten-free bakery on the same day as Caryn; now Wendy runs the place. Instant Besties. Caryn was the MOH in her wedding. She told the most lies in helping Jeff pull off the proposal. She's also an expert at hiding in weird places and scaring Caryn to the brink of death.
Kyle Bennett
Groomsman
Met while serving in a unit in South Bend, Indiana. We spent several years together in units and deployed to Japan and Kosovo, including as roommates and victims of the whims of an Italian two-star general.
Michelle Steinwart
Bridesmaid
Caryn's best friend since tiny Lutheran high school, even though they were only together for one year. You won't find a sweeter person or more fierce advocate than Shell. Also she may be tiny, but she's a badass. She does obstacle races for fun in horrible (cold, wet, hot, muddy) conditions with a smile.
Stefan Zavislan
Groomsman
Met while on an overseas deployment. Bonded over nerdy policy conversations and a love for ancient Etruscian urns. He, like Jeff, is a member of the Balkan Boyz Band (a Kosovo joke).
Melissa Montgomery
Bridesmaid
worked with Caryn at the synagogue. She was/is Caryn's hotline for all things military and home renovation, self-care, and Amazon product recommendations. While Jeff was gone, she and her husband hung ALL of the new light fixtures at Fort Edgar. She also hid 100 mini ducks inside Caryn & Jeff's house for Caryn to find.
Paul Spranger
Groomsman
Met Paul while junior officers and had parallel careers together, including spending time in the insufferable swamps of Louisiana, dodging typhoons in Japan, and dodging Serbians in Kosovo.
Adalie Kranz
Head Flower Girl
Caryn's first niece. She tells the best jokes and is 9 going on 19. While she originally wanted to "run lights like at Taylor Swift" for the wedding, she's come around to the idea of being "Head Flower Girl."
Amelia Kranz
Flower Girl
Caryn's baby niece. She gives the best koala hugs and her laugh/scream can shatter glass. She is quickly becoming a puzzle aficionado. Jeff seems unable to ever say "no" to Amelia unless it's about if he wants to take her to American Girl Place.
Rachel Jarasius
Ring Bearer
Met Caryn at the wedding of a mutual friend, soul sisters since! If they don't talk every day, something is horribly wrong and you should call the police.