Wedding Party
Marc DeJager
Best Man
Marc is Connor's twin brother. No they are not identical - but he has always been there for Connor. As twins, they did everything together up until middle school, where Marc played baseball and Connor did swim team. The two diverged from there until they ended up with different careers in different states, but they remained connected and supportive as they grew into adults. Today, Marc is the source of the party and hits the gym a lot - although he did get into running recently which I think is great.
Isaac DeJager
Groomsman
Isaac is - in fact - not the twin brother, but he is the nicest of the DeJager brothers. He is also probably the smartest. He is not - unfortunately - the greatest navigator, but he remains an excellent road trip partner. Isaac's loyalty is demonstrated by his willingness to join any adventure, even when Connor has a less-than perfect track record for leading excursions (backcountry skiing in the dark).
Alec Beers
Groomsman
Alec was working in Salt Lake for the summer and met Connor through a mutual friend - who he had also just met. Alec agreed to go backpacking with Connor the very next day, where a surprise thunderstorm made for a stressful but memorable trip. Following this misadventure, Alec fortunately did not write Connor off as an absolute loon, and the two spent the rest of the summer running around the mountains above Salt Lake. They have stayed in close contact over the years despite living in different states, patiently waiting for Alec to reach important goals (DPT, wife) before he moves back to Utah.
Caleb Rudd
Groomsman
Connor and Caleb first met at a Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers, but they became close friends a year later on a group backpacking trip in Yosemite National Park. Caleb moved into one of the rooms of the house where Connor lived, where Caleb's enthusiasm and drive for adventure made him an outstanding roommate. Caleb has been, and continues to be, a great enabler of Connor buying more ski equipment than anyone needs.
Kyle Dunlap
Groomsman
Kyle and Connor first met at a Thursday men's Bible study. Kyle - who was getting his doctorate in biochemistry at the time - helped Connor get a biotech job by coaching him in lab techniques the night before his interview. Years later, based on Connor's referral, Kyle was hired at the same biotech startup - where they are both still employed. Today, Connor is engaged in a constant battle to keep Kyle more interested in running than in golf.
Matthew Roselake
Groomsman
Connor met Matt (the Rat king) Roselake at a Monday night Bible study, and he very quickly became Connor's closest friend and confidant in Utah. Despite being very different people - they have sharpened each other over years of pursuing Jesus together. They also lived together for a year or so, which, although a riotous time, was not long enough for Matt to teach Connor how to prepare steak properly.
Tim Kim
Groomsman
Tim and Connor met in the Southeast church lobby - which has incidentally been the location of many young adult events the two have since organized. We're not sure how Southeast managed to recruit such a steady and competent congregant - but Connor sure is grateful to have a co-leader and friend that can cook, sing, and shred fresh powder as well as very awful snow.
Alison Strickland
Maid of Honor
Ali and Kristen have been friends since they were about 2 years old when their parents met at church. Her and Kristen's friendship has endured middle school angst and many many adolescent obsessions from Twilight to One Direction. Even after living in different cities and states over the last 9 years, Ali is still the kind of friend who will drive 45 minutes to come kill a bug or help you carry a desk up two flights of stairs. Her obsessions in the more recent years now include coffee and trying to convince Kristen to read fiction.
Madysen Quinby
Matron of Honor
Mady and Kristen met in vet school at Oklahoma State during their orientation tour. Their friendship eventually grew through their involvement in a Christian organization at school. Mady is one of the most delightfully curious people you will ever meet and loves stumbling across a new small town and learning all about its history. She is Kristen's go-to gal for any cooking/baking questions or general sage advice. Mady is a true horse girl (a fact that she will humbly try to deny) and a two-stepping queen.
Alexandria Cook
Bridesmaid
Alex and Kristen met as freshmen at Baylor and, immediately, Kristen knew she needed to be friends with Alex. The end. As well as being Kristen's roommate for 3 years, Alex is a self-taught expert in the British Monarchy and in a league of her own when it comes to tearing UP the dance floor. She was also a major inspiration for Kristen to take up baking as a hobby. Alex is basically a professional hype woman (for real) and Kristen is very grateful for her friendship and intetionality over the years.
Alli Roane
Bridesmaid
Alli and Kristen met at the very beginning of vet school at Oklahoma State through mutual friends and went on to live together for 3 years. They bonded over their love of Hamilton and the general trials and traumas of vet school. Alli has a deep love for cows, and her knowledge of football and baseball will absolutely baffle you. Kristen deeply respects Alli's strong work ethic, fierce loyalty, and her willingness to always be down for a sweet treat run.
Courtney Miller
Bridesmaid
Courtney and Kristen met as freshmen at Baylor and Kristen does not know how she became friends with someone this cool. They went on to join the same sorority and live together for 3 years. Courtney one of the most together humans out there and has the healthiest sleep schedule of anyone you will ever meet. She is also a sporty athletic stud, wise beyond her years, and has been known to do the worm at most dancing functions.
Emily Slay
Bridesmaid
Kristen met Emily when actually interviewing Emily for a position within a student organization in vet school. After this, they mutually decided that they would become friends, and boy, did they. Emily spent countless hours at Kristen's house studying and talking about life at the kitchen table or porch swing, and even lived in the house next door for a year. Emily loves music, any cute lil vintage item, and will floor you with her silly and very honest humor.
Madison Petree
Bridesmaid
Madie and Kristen met through a housing site when Madie was looking for a place to live for vet school. Kristen and her other roommate Alli met Madie for coffee to see if it would be a good fit and it was a no brainer. Madie is one of the most hilariously chill, multi-talented, and resilient girls Kristen knows. As rommates for 3 years, they shared some deep trauma bonding, and countless ER trips and therapy sessions in The Green Chair. Kristen admires Madie's confidence, quick wit, and unmatched skill at sarcastic banter.