Wedding Party
Alyssa Ortell
Matron of Honor
Growing up as a child, I always wanted a little brother. Instead, my parents gave me my "little" sister, and I am so thankful they did. I was always thankful to have someone that would "volunteer" to be my practice dummy for various hairstyles, an extra closet that I could "borrow" clothes from, and a built in friend to hang out with when all my other friends were busy. In all seriousness I couldn't imagine any other little sibling in my life, especially standing with me on my special day. I look back and cherish the life we have lived, the laughs we have had, and the moments we have spent together, and can only look to the future with excitement and joy for the many more laughs and moments we will have together (now with our cute husbands! :D)!
Sunny O'hern
Best Woman
As a four-year-old I vividly remember being told, "it's time to go meet your new brother or sister" and being filled with dread as I did NOT want a little sibling. That feeling persisted until that new sister started making me laugh; so about the time she started talking. Fast forward to today where Sunny is now my best friend and consistently makes me laugh. It's a strange feeling to have someone you would give a kidney to at the drop of a hat, and at the same time would fight for the last slice of pizza, but I can think of no better way to describe my little sister and best friend.
Sarah Eidle
Bridesmaid
Sarah and I met for the first time on the softball field Freshman year of college but didn't truly become friends until Spring of that school year. Once we got over that freshman angst and realized how great of friend we were, you couldn't find one of us without the other. From pizza nights, to TV Show Marathons, to spooky basement dorms, and 6am swim practices in the middle of winter, we truly made up for the prior 18 years we had missed being each others friend. I'm so thankful to her and her family for adopting me for all the breaks I couldn't go home, and family vacations I tagged along on. I'm very happy to have her with me on my special day!
Mack Sima
Groomsman
Being born only 2 weeks apart, Mack and I have been friends for as long as I can remember. Mack lived right around the corner so every weekend was a quick bike ride to Mack's house or to mine. Countless sleepovers, McDonalds shakes, and KitKats later, Mack and I share a friendship that is closer to that of a brotherhood. To this day, we still talk about our hobbies and interests like we did as kids, and I’ve always known—even back then—that he would stand beside me at my wedding.
Robin Mathiesen
Bridesmaid
Robin and I met in high school when I bullied her to be my friend during our lunch breaks. I'm sure she thought to herself "why does this weird, loud girl keep showing up to my quiet, restful lunches." After forcing her to come over before homecoming to get ready, we became the best of friends (even after forcing her to watch Dateline while I curled her hair). I'm so thankful for her continued friendship and support these last 10+ years. From sending me college care packages to our dinners and craft nights, I can truly say that she is one of the kindest and sweetest human beings I have ever met. I'm so excited to celebrate my happy day with her by my side!
Matt Hunter
Groomsman
Matt is literally my brother from another mother, to the point of my parents asking how their "other son" is doing and having him over for dinner EVEN IF I'M NOT THERE! Matt and I went to school together from Kindergarten to Graduation and we've been close from the jump. One of my favorite memories with Matt is when as Seniors, we had to "run a business" together for a project in economics. We had to market, make, and sell a food product for an event called Market Day. So we chose burgers, and thus Slimboy Sliders was born - and we DOMINATED the competition!
Mariah Melone
Bridesmaid
Mariah is my forever birthday buddy, celebrating her birthday just 2 days before mine. We have been the best of friends since 5th grade, and have so many memories together. We went from riding our bikes to go shopping or get ice cream before we could drive, to LEARNING to drive (all of our classes AND our behind the wheels lessons were done together), to now making her husband (and now Ghrae) drive US around while we hang out, we were always going somewhere fun and enjoying each others' company. She's so funny and kind and always there to support you in whatever way you need. Even in middle school I knew she would be standing with me on my wedding day and I am looking forward to having her standing with me soon!
Jack Bell
Groomsman
Jack is a friend I met online about 10 years ago, and immediately became one of my "Ride-or-dies". He has a sense of humor and wittiness that never ceases to make me laugh. We've spent hours and hours just talking late at night about anything and everything from the games we play to our lives in different parts of the county (comparing tornado season in the Midwest and fire season in Cali - which is NUTS!). Now that Jack lives in Minnesota, he constantly "threatens" that he's only 6 hours away, so I called his bluff; now he's standing in my wedding!
Kira Berndt
Bridesmaid
I don't think I remember a time without Kira in my life. We met at church when we were 5 and became fast friends since then. You could find us together almost every summer for our week long sleepover marathons, bike rides through the park, or in her room that I would be cleaning for her so we could go out later. We had always talked about roomming together when we were younger, and I'm happy that we got the chance to live that out for the last 1.5 years! Though her pup Venus won't be with us at the alter, I am again so thankful to have another of my wonderful friends standing with me during my special day.
Justus Auman
Groomsman
Justus is the closest thing to a "copy" of myself that possibly exists. To the point of looking similar (we were confused for the other by MANY teachers throughout school), having a sister 4 years younger, having the same hobbies, playing the same sports, and the list goes on. It even got to the point where to this day, if someone calls out "Justus!" I still turn and look to make sure they aren't actually talking to me. I was proud to stand by Justus on his special day, and I am glad he will be joining me for mine.
Molly Banwart
Bridesmaid
Molly was the friend who lived down the street who's house I would just show up at every so often with no warning. Spending time with her always led to me getting a new book to read, show to watch, or fun game to play. I'll never forgive her for starting my Dr. Who obsession (while also simultaneously forever thanking her for introducing the show to me). No matter how much time we spend apart, as soon as we are together it's like we pick up right where we left off. She's another one of my forever friends that I am so happy to have by my side during my wedding day!
Jonah Ruthe
Groomsman
Jonah is one of my newest friends, but is one of the most selfless people I know. We only met a couple years ago (thanks to Justus) but we bonded QUICKLY over our love for D&D and storytelling. Recently, I've undertaken reading a large book series which Jonah has already read, and every time we meet Jonah and I have a check in on my progress that takes priority (at least for me) over what we even met for. That almost immediately became a weekly D&D game that has run for over a year now. Jonah is the first to jump in and is the last to leave when someone needs help, and will constantly work the hardest for you. I am honored to have him sanding with me on my wedding day.
Becca Zachary
Bridesmaid
Becca and I became friends freshman year of high school after meeting for the first time on the Volleyball court. From that point on, shenanigans ensued. Like the time we tried to repaint the school locker rooms with a "Fresh Look" but instead made it look liked a "Fresh Crime Scene." Or EVERY TIME I was over at her house and fell down her stairs, in too much of a hurry to get to the next event we had to attend. She's someone who I can look at and we will just burst out laughing for no reason, and be unable to stop for several minutes. Even though she moved super far away from me now, I know I can always count on her to give me advice and when she IS in town it's like she never left. I'm super happy she will be here to stand with me on my special day!
Bryan O'hern
Groomsman
When my sister first told me how she truly felt about Bryan, we were staring into the fire near a pool while on vacation. I asked her, "What do you think about Bryan?" and after a few moments of staring into the fire, she replied, "He's the one." And at that moment, I knew Bryan wasn't going anywhere. Bryan is the guy who will do anything and everything he can to help you out. Need a car? He'll find you one. Need help moving? He's there. Need help moving out, and moving again? He's there again and again. Bryan is the type of man I am so happy my sister found (well I guess my mom found him for Sunny), and proud to say he is my Brother.