Nicole & Michael
Wedding Party
Megan Dalbey
Matron of Honor
Megan and Nikki met while working at Biolife in Grand Forks. The two quickly became friends, but shortly after Nikki started the job, Megan left for a different job. As fate would have it, a few months later Mike and Nikki were looking for a new apartment and ended up moving into an open unit right across the hall from Megan and Dustin! The four of them enjoyed many dinners together, rocking out on rock band, spectating for various sporting events, puppy play dates, wine and movie nights, and a trip to Mike's family cabin in South Carolina.
Dustin Dalbey
Best Man
Mike met Dustin not long after moving to an apartment across the hall from him and Megan. Nikki suggested they invite the two of them over for dinner one evening, and Mike and Dustin became friends almost immediately. They bonded over sports and would frequently play catch in the yard with their dogs. They've always had each other's backs; Dustin helped Mike carry a heavy piece of furniture up the stairs late one evening, and Mike always saved a front row parking spot for Dustin and Megan at the hockey arena. Dustin and Mike have had many adventures together over the years, including going to both a Wisconsin football and Brewers baseball game in one day, and a trip to South Carolina with Nikki and Megan.
Stephanie Allen
Bridesmaid
Stephanie and Nikki met on their very first day at Carleton College. Stephanie was a part of the same new student week group as Nikki. The two bonded over their love of TV shows, organization, and their religious upbringings. Nikki and Stephanie's friendship grew throughout the first year of school and they decided to become roommates the following year (and every year after!). The two also studied abroad in Denmark and shared many adventures together in Copenhagen as well as Prague, Vienna, and Montreal.
Alex Vaysfeld
Groomsman
Mike has known Alex since middle school, where they were an unstoppable Quarterback/Wide Receiver duo during recess football. Alex also went to the University of North Dakota, and was Mike's roommate for over 3 years. He encouraged Mike to get his Aircraft Dispatcher certificate, and the two have visited each other frequently over the years, thanks to airline flight benefits.
Morgan Matzke
Bridesmaid
Nikki and Morgan met as prospective students at Carleton College. They had hosts that lived on the same dorm floor. Nikki got locked out of her host dorm and luckily was able to spend the night in the same room as Morgan! Morgan continued to be a close friend of Nikki's throughout college and beyond. The two spent many nights dancing like there was no tomorrow and singing at the top of their lungs
Mark Ambrose
Groomsman
Mike has known Mark since 4th grade, when Mark and his family moved to the area. They quickly bonded over sports and aviation, and continue to do so today. When choosing an instrument to learn in middle school, Mike picked viola because Mark played it. They have visited each other's university (North Dakota and Notre Dame) and still see each other often, whether it be in Chicago, Appleton, or Bayside.
Maddie Willert
Bridesmaid
Maddie and Nikki met while working as dorm counselors at Carleton College during the summer before their junior year. The two have the same happy go lucky spirit and often end up giggling uncontrollably when they are together. Nikki and Maddie enjoy dancing and singing as well as exploring new places together.
Nick Lee
Groomsman
Mike met Nick in 3rd grade, when Nick skipped a grade. They became close friends during middle school, and were volleyball and water polo teammates in high school. During their college years, Mike frequently visited Nick at St. Olaf. It was during one fateful visit sophomore year that Mike met Nikki.
Becca Lebens
Bridesmaid
Nikki met Becca through Bre in 6th grade because Nikki needed a partner for science class. The 3 of them would often hang out together in middle school and high school (see Bre's description), but Becca and Nikki have also shared many of their own adventures. Nikki visited Becca at her University in PA, explored Chicago with her, and the two spent a weekend wandering through Paris.
Ryan McKeefry
Groomsman
Mike met Ryan through a student organization at the University of North Dakota. They went on trips to Washington D.C. and Seattle together through the organization. After graduation, Mike became one of Ryan's Air Traffic Control instructors at UND. Mike must've done a good job teaching because Ryan is now working as an air traffic controller in Albuquerque, giving Mike a good excuse to go travel out west and see him every so often.
Bre Larson
Bridesmaid
Bre is Nikki's oldest friend. The two met through Girl Scouts in 3rd grade! In primary school, Bre and Nikki spent many nights watching romantic comedies, episodes of Star Trek, playing board games (particularly the game of life), getting ice cream from Coldstone, and playing cribbage at Perkins. They were also both on the Knowledge Bowl team in high school. Nowadays the two enjoy making arts and crafts and exploring new places together.
Nick Hillman
Groomsman
Nick started working at Air Wisconsin only a few weeks before Mike, and the two became fast friends. They've gone on many adventures together, including countless baseball games, numerous day trips to Green Bay and Milwaukee, and several days exploring Arizona and California.
Kjirstin Almos
Officiant
Nikki met Kjirstin on her first day at Carleton College. The two were in the same new student week group and they also lived on the same dorm floor. Kjirstin and Nikki became fast friends spending much of their free time together during freshman year playing games, watching movies/TV, or attending Mustard Seed services.