Wedding Party
Sarah Kobs
Maid of Honor
Sarah Kobs has known Shannon since her most awkward days: Freshman year of high school. Sure they didn’t really meet until second semester, but on that fateful evening of auditions for Clue, sparks flew. As Mr. Stoddard detailed the audition process, they found themselves holding hands, and—despite the fact that they never once ended up on stage *together*—the rest was history. Queue the inside jokes, lunch at the box, sex education, sobfests, the best naps, post prom bowling, visiting each other in college, dungeons and dragons, intoxicants, big girl jobs, homes, dogs. Then came the most powerful form of all: Shannon stood next to Sarah on her wedding day, and Sarah is about to do the same. Because even in legally binding partnership with another, very little trumps the bond that is made by holding hands on Day One.
Tyler Fruik
Best Man
Tyler Fruik, like most on this list, worked at Toppers Pizza. However, he mainly knows Tim from family functions. From early childhood and summers with grandparents to moving schools and testing out the arts, Tim has always been two things to Tyler: a leader to follow, and a best friend to share excitement with. No matter the months and miles that have separated them, each has stood for the other in times of need and of celebration. When Tyler first met Shannon, there was no reason to guess that she and Tim would ever cross paths. But in finding a hard-working, confident, hilarious person with a steadfast commitment to their friends, Tyler felt he knew this person already: a perfect complement of his older brother. Tyler is honored to be by Tim’s side in this happy moment and is thrilled to have someone as freaking awesome as Shannon in the family.
Abby Daane
Bridesmaid
Abby Daane thought Shannon was weird during Oakfield’s 2021 teacher inservice. To be fair, Shannon was wearing a shirt that said “Gay for Books” and had a side shave, and Abby grew up on a farm. Luckily, as it turns out, they were both the perfect kind of weird for each other. Shannon couldn’t have asked for a better teacher bestie, work wife, or homecoming/prom date. Even though their classrooms are tragically far from each other–both before and after the renovation–they’ll often run into each other on the way to the other’s room. The last five years of Shannon’s teaching career has been full of energy, farm visits, hard day debriefs, a whole trip to Ireland, flowers, toddler corralling, and classroom phone calls ending in “love you BYEEEEE.” Do the kids say they’re doing too much? Yeah. Are they gonna stop? HA! No.
Sami Riley
Groomswoman
Sami Riley met Tim when he hired her as a delivery driver at Toppers in 2022. The culture that Tim cultivated at Toppers was unlike any previous place she had worked. Tim is extremely hardworking yet laid back. He sets high standards and guides you towards them without making you feel subpar. He was sami’s boss but she never thought of him as just her boss; he was her friend. At the time, Sami didn’t know what she was getting herself into, but she wasn't expecting to make lifelong friends. Not only did she meet Tim and Shannon there, but also her boyfriend and fellow groomsman Jeremiah. Tim, Jeremiah, and Sami spent many nights just talking and getting wildly side tracked. It’s unclear how they actually got anything done when they were so busy looking at his house on google maps and trying to figure out if the basement would flood, or just sitting in the office talking until 6 am. There are few people Sami holds as close as Tim and Shannon (and of course Arthur, Chip, and Winnie) and she’s so excited and honored to be a part of their wedding!
Amanda Smudde
Bridesmaid
Amanda Smudde is the founder of the Spoodle Nooners, an elite group of English teachers molded by the loving hands of the UWSP English Education Department. Or at least, she’s the founder of the name. When Shannon and Amanda first officially met in ENGL 381, bestowed upon them was the title of “teacher,” and they haven’t looked back since (well, that’s not true, good teachers reflect all the time). Amanda and Shannon fought hard against the perils of college: car brakes vs. slushy streets vs. two espresso-ed depress-os in a cross walk, the CULPA, 3 days no water just N R G, and student teaching during COVID?!? Yikes. But hey, they made it out and even got to teach with each other for a few months. Even though they now work at different schools, they still share the same brain cells.
Jeremiah Rosenthal
Groomsman
Jeremiah Rosenthal met Tim at an interview, which did not go well. Tim still took a chance on Jeremiah, and gave him a job. From there Tim started to teach Jeremiah all he knew and gave him amazing life advice. They worked to bounce ideas off each other, and would routinely stay far past close at the Fondy Toppers to just chat about anything. They have kept that energy with each other, even though they do not work together anymore. Tim and Jeremiah refine each other's ideas and occasionally throw out the scrap.
Katie Delaney
Bridesmaid
Katie Delaney (loml) and Shannon’s relationship is truly the definition of a Toppers Love Story. Before Tim could even think of wearing a fancy shoe to his Toppers interview, Katie joined Shannon at the holy land that is Stevens Point Toppers. Just like Shannon, Katie started as a driver and kicked ASS. In another just-like-Shannon move, Katie got a speeding ticket during a shift and was suspended from delivery driving. Katie took it in stride, hopped on the inside train, and BAM a dynamic duo was born, featuring a bit of Hamilton on the makeline, LOTS of silly snapchat videos, a pizza marriage, and ultimately a brief stint as roommates in the Pizza Palace. Like many Toppers love stories, Shannon and Katie were inevitably separated by The Call to Another Location. Regardless, Shannon and Katie’s love stood the test of time and distance, now mostly supported by using shiny math rocks to play pretend.
Steve Thoren
Groomsman
Steve Thoren met Tim through Toppers, of course. Tim and Shannon were dating and he asked for Steve’s advice on becoming a GM. Steve loves giving advice so he was more than happy to oblige. They didn’t really become friends until they opened the Fond Du Lac store together though. Tim loves talking to people and figuring out why they do what they do, same as Steve, and they bonded over that. They would spend hours talking about work, relationships, friendships, mental illness, everything. Tim is for Steve what Steve is for him: someone who you can bounce ideas off of and hold a great deal of respect for. They don't see each other as often as either of them would like, but the love, curiosity and respect is always there.
Karl McCarty
Officiant
Kool Karl met Shannon through school; during her first year and a half, he was her classroom neighbor. Shannon was absolutely taken with his passion for teaching, his excitement about nature, and his genuine silliness. Fast forward to a summer's evening eating burgers and then looking at turtles at his parents' pond--Tim came along and so did Tim's crush on Karl. Tim was fascinated by Karl's depth of knowledge about psychology and philosophy, and his understanding of spirituality and religion. It was clear that Karl was the perfect person to yap enough to make the Fruik-Lagore wedding turtle-y meaningful.
