Ariel & Dakota
Our Wedding Party
Kaitlen Knight
Bridesmaid
Kaitlen and I met circa 2009 in our freshman year dorm at University of Washington and have made so many memories - senior year skinny dipping in Drumheller Fountain, Wednesday night karaoke at B-Mart (can't keep my hand out the cookie jar) and our ride share trip to Pullman to surprise Caylee. She recently moved to Columbus, OH and I'm so glad to have her (and my goddogs) closer, only a 7 hour drive! How utterly macabre.
Sierra Sherry
Bridesmaid
Sierra has been Dakota's sister since...her whole life! I've had so much fun getting to know her over the past 6 years on several visits to Kansas and trips to Missouri and Colorado with the Sherrys. I think Sierra and I are kind of kindred spirits. I've reveled in Dakota's stories of tormenting her as a small child (taping her to a door, etc.) and look forward to cheering her on during her college years, little braniac. Go Sierra!!
Ashley Edmison
Bridesmaid
Ashley "BBQ" and I met in 2011 through my brother during one fateful night watching Midnight Meat Train together. We quickly found out that we both painted only our left fingernails because painting the right ones was too much coordination for our non-dominant hands to muster and that we’re both obsessed with crab gunkan (grunks for life). She's been a hilarious travel partner through the years. Between countless jaunts to every froyo joint across Seattle, a road trip to San Francisco and our stay in that raunchy "hotel" in Orlando when we visited Disney World, we've got a bank full of wonderful memories. Good news!
Caylee Holden
Maid of Honor
Caylee and I have know each other since 4th grade at Tracyton Elementary - 20 years! Our friendship has survived us living in a jail cell-sized dorm room together (and me not cleaning my blender full of rotten mango smoothie. Repeatedly.), a backpacking trip through Vietnam and several moves that have separated us, but hopefully not forever. We've laughed until we cried too many times to count and it's gotten us kicked out of several classes through the years. I can't imagine doing college, Tuesday night trivia or life without you. TEAM CAEL FOREVER!
Levi Hay
Groomsman
As my older brother, I've known Levi my whole life. I bet he wishes he could say the same about me; he had to wait almost two full years for the privilege of my company! He's given me like, a gazillion nieces and nephews, which I'm so grateful for because they willingly let me shower them with all the affection that teenage boys withhold from their little sisters *ahem* Now that we're adults I can admit that I did, on several occasions, cry louder than I needed to, just to get you in trouble. - Oreo/Ayah/ArielArielAriel!
Trevan Sherry
Groomsman
Trevan has been Dakota's little brother forever. Despite Dakota leaving for the army when Trevan was only 6, they've shared many (sometimes traumatizing) memories during Trevan's days as a wee one. He toted baby Trevan up many a mountain in a backpack and dragged him around in the snow at speeds unsafe for a mere toddler. I have even heard rumors that he once duct taped him to a door? I've so enjoyed getting to watch Trevan grow into a high schooler (!!!) and getting to know his wicked sense of humor. Grow up, maggot!
Jordan Houghton
Groomsman
Jordan was Dakota's medic during their tour in Afghanistan. When they were assigned to the same platoon, their shared endurance of the reign of Platoon Sgt Barth was a calming force. They've snuggled together during five-day-long missions in freezing temperatures with only their interpreter to keep them company and they'd do it again! They even shared their first celebratory cigar together and after Dakota threw up, he said he would not do it again. Dakota spent many a Thanksgiving with the Houghtons before I came along and ruined everything and Jordan has become like a brother to me. We even bicker like siblings sometimes and we definitely both love him.
John Borton
Best Man
Dakota and John met on the bus in 7th grade at Hutchinson Middle School and bonded over their shared misery of forced participation in track & field. John was the voice of reason during the formative period when Dakota's prefrontal cortex had yet to develop, talking him out of skipping school on numerous occasions and has been a huge part of Dakota's life for pretty much ever, from working at Target to being prison guards together. We've been lucky enough to be able to visit John several times, even though both him and Dakota have since moved out of Kansas. Several times a week I hear "alright, I'm going to go hang out with John. See ya!" before Dakota disappears into his cave. They're kind of a package deal, and I wouldn't have it any other way.