Wedding Party
Mary and Brad
Bride and Groom
Mary and Brad met in the Fall of 2020 while coaching a sled hockey team in Littleton, CO. Mary found she accidentally committed to a 6:15am practice 1.5 hours away where she met Brad who was in his 5th year with the organization. Inspired by the selflessness, patience and dedication to helping others overcome challenges on and off the ice, this dynamic duo took a slapshot on finding love. Mary discovered Brad was a double threat after losing at least 7 table tennis games in a row at Eat Ace Serve on their first date. Thankfully she found solace in learning he is a founding member of the Ping Pong Medical Interest Group (PPMIG). Plus, potstickers heal all wounds. Brad was swooned by Mary's intellect, competitive spirit, righteousness and sense of adventure. They explored new parts of Colorado, climbing above the trees at Bishop's Castle, discovering mountain lakes in Granby, passing pucks in Keystone and Evergreen and relaxing in the hot springs of Pagosa. A serendipitous beginning between two like minds and spirits blossomed into the beautiful relationship you have all come to know, or at least heard about. As so many of you have played such an instrumental role in shaping who we are as individuals and a couple, we are proud to host this celebration our marriage and a little thing called LOVE.
Jenny Kuhn
Matron of Honor
Matron of Honor Jenny is Mary’s older sister and deserves most of the credit for molding Mary into the woman she is today. For instance, Mary wouldn’t be such a hardworking professional if it wasn’t for comatose high schooler Jenny’s alarm blaring endlessly in the top bunk every morning two hours before middle schooler Mary needed to be up. Jenny is a special ed science teacher, an on-call wilderness search and rescue responder, wife to groomsman TJ and mom to an adorable little flower girl and fun-loving page boy. Jenny’s a big fan of Brad and is sure glad he wasn’t seriously injured that time he fell down the stairs at the Heisels' house.
Zack Wuthrich
Best Man
Zack and Brad completed med school together at CU and now are co-residents in Orthopedic Surgery, also at CU. Being from Idaho, Zack naturally enjoys everything outdoors and everything that goes fast. However, Brad has now introduced Zack to the many finer aspects of life, such as great food and drink, and Zack is just trying to keep up with him! The newest venture of Zack and Brad's, and occasionally an intrigued Mary, has been a seemingly-endless tour of vintage cocktails, in which they've learned a lot about mixology and worked hard to build a full bar of obscure liqueurs. In many cases, they have learned why these are oft-forgotten cocktails. Regardless, they all seem to go very well with Mario Kart.
Lindsay Reeves
Bridesmaid
Lindsay has known Brad all his life, as she has crushed it in the role of his big sister. They grew up sharing a love of hockey through watching the Colorado Avalanche and Lindsay also played some sled hockey herself. She is always on the go and taking on new traveling adventures, including some of her favorite places like Nashville, Las Vegas, and most recently Disney World. Additionally, Lindsay is a huge staple in her local community in Pueblo, CO, and some would even say a minor celebrity, as she holds the honor of the Dancing With the Pueblo Stars 2022 Mirror Ball Trophy Winner! She has given so much to her community through the various roles and volunteering she has done, including being on the Pueblo Zoo Board.
Brett Sloan
Groomsman
Brett and Brad met playing hockey together as kids. Brett, an older, shrewd and physical D-man, taught Brad how to take a slapshot before the rest of his peers, priming Brad's scoring dominance for years to come. Brett and Brad crossed paths outside of the ice in college at CSU-Pueblo where they studied Biology and explored their interests in Medicine. Following graduation, the duo serendipitously found themselves applying for the same job as Ortho Techs at the Hanson Clinic. Outstanding candidates, they got the job and worked side-by-side taking care of countless patients with Dr. Hanson and colleagues over a three year course. Brett has been an Orthopedic Tech for ten years and has worked at Children's Hospital Colorado for the past 5 years where he and Brad continue to care for patients together and fight over the title for best cast - Brett retains the title to date. Outside of medicine, Brett loves spending time with his dog Angel, playing hockey, and riding motorcycles.
Liz Carland
Bridesmaid
Liz's first interaction with Mary was when she was considering working at FFCHS and was brought to see Mary's classroom. She saw Mary's brilliance, or lack thereof, of frantically throwing together a math lesson minutes before students were coming in and forever claims she learned everything about teaching from her (in reality, Liz taught Mary the ins and outs of being a great teacher). They became fast friends over their love of math and running endless events as Student Council sponsors. Liz and Mary were a dynamic duo through the years, whether it was taking students on trips, calculating how many whipped cream cans are necessary for pieing teachers in the face, or making a mean pasta salad. It was safe to say the two were always cooking up their next big idea, at work or life, every chance they got and planning together continues to be one of their favorite pastimes. Liz continues to rock it teaching math and Student Council at FFCHS. She is also an incredible wife and mom to one (and soon to be two) little girls.
Mike Hall
Groomsman
Mike and Brad met in 2016 as neighbors at an Acosta Family Party where Mike introduced Brad to Chili Colorado and Bud Light. The two quickly became inseparable friends through the joy they take in helping others, working with their hands, playing cards, complaining about the Broncos and enjoying a fine cigar. Mike taught Brad the meaning of hard work as evidenced by the time he raked, mowed, weeded and seeded Brad's lawn before he got out of bed. Brad tried to repay Mike with a mountain of pancakes at IHOP, but the check never came as Mike secretly settled the bill. Mike and Brad share a second father Beto, who simultaneously keeps them out of trouble while teaching them the finer sides of Scotch and Tequila and embodies the essence of a Family Man. During the Fall, Mike and Brad enjoy visiting Fritzler Farm where they chunk pumpkins and race down gunny sack slides. Unfortunately, they haven't made it through the haunted corn maze because the line is always way too long and definitely not because they heard it's way too scary and they secretly believe ghosts. Mike is the proud husband of Yesenia and father of Jaydeiin, whom never cease to fill his days with joy and heart with love.
Jenn Johnson
Bridesmaid
To this day, Jenn and Mary's friendship is an enigma. Even though they cannot remember how they started being friends, they know they solidified their connection through coaching tennis together at FFCHS and continued through many fun times with family and friends. Some would argue their best combined talent is navigating a bus full of lively tennis players to their next location--U-turns may or may not have been a common occurrence for Mary, as Jenn was likely caught up in the latest celebrity gossip with the girls, rather than identifying the next turn. Jenn is the mom of two stellar kids and wife to an equally stellar husband. She teaches yoga, coaches tennis, and partakes in any and all Colorado sports viewing--arguably one of the biggest fans. Jenn and Mary were always great partners in crime, whether it was as prom chaperones, spirit day twins, or staff tennis tournament partners--it's always a great time with Jenn!
TJ Kuhn
Groomsman
Groomsman TJ has only hung out with Brad one time but has already jumped to #1 on Brad’s list of favorite non-Mary members of the Heisel family (husband of Matron of Honor Jenny). Together they’ve enjoyed bonding experiences like taking orders from Father of the Bride Paul on his fishing boat, teaming up with officiant JP to prepare extravagant tacos for the family, and Brad’s bachelor party, where together they jumped from an exploding helicopter onto a snowy mountain peak, triggering an avalanche that they expertly outran on snowboards before being awarded medals for bravery by John Elway on behalf of the state of Colorado. (At the time of this writing, the bachelor party hasn’t happened yet but that’s the plan.) TJ spends his time teaching woodshop, playing disc golf and asking his toddlers to please quiet down.
Lena Heisel
Junior Bridesmaid
Lena is Mary's niece and is currently a 5th grader at Seward Elementary in Minneapolis, MN. She is a bundle of energy and creativity! When she’s not busy with school, you’ll find her on the soccer field, gracefully playing the violin, or belting out tunes with her lovely voice. Lena is an animal lover - her most favorite of which is probably the koala, just like Brad! She is a safety patrol for her school, loves to make lefse, and will choreograph just about any song she hears. A favorite memory with Lena is her visit to Colorado where she toured Mary's school, played tennis with her, and met her cat. Brad and Mary can't wait to have Lena representing at the wedding as their Junior Bridesmaid!
JP Heisel
Officiant
J.P. is Mary’s (big) brother (Jenny’s too), as well as Alex’s husband, Lena’s dad, and Paul and Debbie’s son. Professionally, he works for the City of Minneapolis supporting its departments’ information needs. Cooking, bouldering, reading, and playing board games and pond hockey are J.P.'s favorite activities. He enjoys attending Minnesota Aurora games, supporting Gopher Men’s and Women’s hockey teams in their quests to represent The State of Hockey, and frequenting The Malt Shop during regular business hours. J.P. has fond memories growing up with Mary (and Jenny) playing board games and hockey, exploring the hills and Spielplätze of Germany, watching many Disney Channel original movies, and singing songs around the dinner table (I’ll pay back my extra Oreos debt one day). Mary has kindly forgiven him (he thinks) after breaking her nose during a family vacation. As they moved into adulthood, J.P. enjoyed the explorations of the hills around LaCrosse, WI and sharing long-distance phone calls discussing the joys and challenges adulting presents. He has additionally enjoyed meeting and getting to know Brad. J.P. especially liked riding on Brad’s (and brother-in-law TJ’s) coattails during food preparation responsibilities on a recent family vacation. He is excited to celebrate Mary and Brad’s union!
Alex Heisel
Officiant
Alex is Mary's sister-in-law (a high honor she has been wielding since July 2010), but has known Mary since she was in 9th grade, when she started dating her older brother. Alex and her husband, J.P., live in Minneapolis with their 10-year-old daughter, Lena. Professionally, she spends her time working at Children's Minnesota, a pediatric health care system. Alex leads the change management function and really enjoys all aspects of improving pediatric health care. In her free time, she loves a good puzzle, a walk through the neighborhood, listening to podcasts, and watching/supporting anything that involves women's soccer. She also has been known to enjoy a donut. A favorite memory with Mary was a weekend trip J.P. and Alex took to visit both Mary and Jenny (Matron of Honor) at UW-La Crosse while they were in college. She can't remember if her nickname for the three Heisel children started during that trip or before, but the "VonTrapp" energy has long been palpable - always a song to sing, an adventure to have, or a choreographed team task to complete. They are quite magical, the three of them. And, Mary is key to the equation - creative, joyful, and full of Julie Andrews vibes. She's an incredible sister, loving aunt, and it has been a delight to watch her and Brad grow into an incredible team!
Louis Kuhn
Page Boy
Page boy Louie is 3 going on 43 if you catch my drift (interests include baking, the Muppets and Black Sabbath). He attends preschool, plays soccer, and loves a good bowl of applesauce. Louie’s favorite memories with Aunt Mary include eating ice cream together on Cape Cod, getting tours of her closets via video call, and having her as his first ever babysitter when he was only a couple weeks old. He also loves Uncle Brad, especially because he and Mary gave Louie a dinosaur costume and custom Louie-o-saurus book for his birthday. Louie is eagerly awaiting finding out what a page boy does. And with his charming smile and performative nature we know that whatever it is, he’ll knock it out of the park.
Bernadette (Birdie) Kuhn
Flower Girl
Flower girl Bernadette “Birdie” Kuhn is 1 and recently learned how to walk, and she’s fervently looking forward to walking while doing a task with a large audience. Some of her favorite times of the day include lunch time, and snack time, honorable mention: breakfast. Birdie is learning to talk and uses the word “butt” for most nouns, (and some verbs) but hopes to widen her arsenal in time for the wedding in case she is called on for a toast. We’re sure Birdie loves her Aunt Mary but she has yet to utter her name. We know Birdie loves Uncle Brad because his was one of the first names she spoke.