Wedding Party
Sean Trouba
Best Man
Joe and Sean have known each other their entire lives and liked each other for some of that time. As a younger brother, Sean made Joe a middle child, to which he owes a great deal of his success. Sean has been someone consistently there for Joe, well beyond the supportive role of brother but also just as a friend to enjoy and experience life with. In childhood they were companions and challengers, playing baseball in the yard until you could no longer see the ball in the dark. As adults, they’ve found ways to stay active in each other’s lives, particularly when Sean moved to Colorado and the brothers would regularly hang out watching football and grilling. Joe has been fortunate to find himself in Sean’s shadow, both literally as a result of being shorter, but also at times such as his PhD defense, where Sean’s animation of a chemical process received the greatest accolades of all. Sean: I plan to keep looking up to you as we each continue to grow. I’m so grateful to have you as my brother and best man.
Jerome Trouba
Groomsman
Jerome is 14 years older than Joe but 17 years younger than Joe's dad, creating a dynamic that cast him as both an adult mentor, an older brother, and as Joe grows older a close friend. During college, Joe would travel every other weekend or so to enjoy the company, food, and conversation with Michigan Troubas. Watching Jude, Harper and Hugo growing up over the years of frequent visits has been an immense blessing. It has also allowed Joe the opportunity to witness loving parenting from an adult perspective without the associated responsibility. Jerome and Joe’s relationship has involved numerous calls on career advice, countless critiques of popular science articles, and many other random conversations that strikes their interest. Jerome: You’ve been there for me when I’ve needed you, and when I just felt like calling or paying a visit. At first you taught me, then you guided me to learn on my own.
Lydia Kellogg
Bridesmaid
Lydia and Emma met in 2013, during their freshman year at the Colorado School of Mines. They were both on the Visual and Performing Arts floor and initially bonded because they each opted to show their art via flash drive presentation as opposed to in person. They quickly became best friends, having study parties on the floor (usually wrapped in blankets), playing pranks on other students, and sneaking in a pet hamster to the dorm. Emma and Lydia won the college "Not-so-Newly Wed" game, a game in which couples are tested on their knowledge of one another, three years in a row. This served as a testament to their bond and was also grounds for the dissolution of some of their competitors' relationships. While the days of college shenanigans have come and gone, Lydia has continued to be Emma's best friend. Lydia is thoughtful, kind, funny, intelligent and a whole other slew of adjectives that, listed out, would exceed the character limit. She is a wise and graceful listener, a witty and hilarious commentator, a fun hang, and simply pleasant to be around. Joe and Emma are very lucky to have Lydia in their lives and are thrilled to have her in the wedding party.
Annie Elefante
Maid of Honor
Annie and Emma met in June of 1997. Neither one remembers the exact circumstances, so the first impression must have been less than stellar. Despite the rocky start, Annie has served as Emma's trusty adventure buddy for nearly three decades (yikes). Whether it be summitting mountains, running a half marathon through the mud, or finding the best bakery in town, Annie is always game to join Emma in whatever wild idea she conjures up. Annie is an intelligent, loving, and generous person, which is why Emma has decided to keep her around even though Joe has been been promoted to Emma's primary adventure partner. It is an honor to have Annie in the wedding party, not only because she is Emma's sister, but because she's been to 87 weddings in the past year so she is a wealth of nuptial knowledge. Additionally, Annie spent countless hours between the ages of 3 and 5 being Emma's practice groom in the "wedding game", so it is only right that she be present for the real deal.
Charlie Trouba
Officiant
Charlie is Joe’s cousin and has played a consistent role as companion throughout his life. They were in the same grade, and on the first day of school whenever teachers commented they had another Trouba they would claim to be identical twins. Growing up, Joe and Charlie were companions in sports, scouts, and school. As Joe moved away in high school, their interactions become less frequent but more deliberate. Joe drove from Purdue to Pitt to pick up Charlie to go climbing in WV, and on that trip gave Charlie the worst haircut of his life using a beard trimmer with dull blade and a low battery. Another time, Charlie drove to meet Joe halfway (12 hours for Charlie, 2 hours for Joe) to climb Harvard and Columbia, a brutal 14er experience in the collegiate peaks. The two decided to run a 50k together, this time actually half-way in Moab, the longest distance either had done and had a great time suffering together. Charlie: You are a close friend, and someone I can always count on. I’m very excited for our next adventure together.