Jane & Tarkington
Wedding Partaaay
Jessica Gladfelter
Maid of Honor
Jessica and Jane met at a back-to-school picnic going into preschool at CSG. When Jane's balloon flew away, Jessica selflessly gave Jane hers. They've been best friends ever since (minus a few lost years in middle school).
Lucy Miller
Bridesmaid
Lucy and Jane met in third grade at CSG. They graduated high school together, went to Ohio State together, and always joked that they would end up in an old folks' home together (TBD). Lucy has been a friend to Jane through nearly every phase of life.
Maria Fatas Ortega
Bridesmaid
Maria F. and Jane met in Barcelona while earning their masters degrees in International Relations. They formed a strong friendship (along with Maria T.), shared countless laughs, and have stayed deeply connected over the years, regardless of geographical distance.
Maria Tufan
Bridesmaid
Maria T. and Jane met in Barcelona while earning their masters degrees in International Security and International Relations, respectively. The trio that formed among the Marias and Jane is difficult to describe, but feels somewhat like a soulmate bond spanning three different countries.
Caitlin Johnson
Bridesmaid
Caitlin and Jane met while working together in International Student & Scholar Services at the University of Kentucky. They became fast friends, sharing a love of international education and bonding over the comical similarities of their partners. Caitlin took Jane under her wing and made Lexington feel like home.
Ian Brown
Bridesman
Ian and Jane met at Ohio State and have been friends ever since. Through international and cross-country moves, they made it a priority to stay in touch over the years. By chance, they both landed in Kentucky and were thrilled to find an old friend nearby. Side note: Ian arguably saved Jane's life on Christmas Eve 2023 by telling her to go to the ER for what turned out to be a blood clot!
Ian "Nemo" Blanding
Best Man
As a career college student, Tark continued onward towards the Pleasant Mountain. For it was here, in a cornfield, that Nemo was found. Rehydrate, they would, indulging themselves in the highest-shelf liqueur that $10 could buy. Alas, the bottle (and some details of the night) quickly dissipated; yet they know this was but the beginning of their cross country trek to discover all that Amurrica had to offer. It was, in fact, a party in the USA.
Kendall Judson
Groomsman
Tark had long heard the myth of Kendall Judson, both his athletic prowess and skill on the trombone preceded him. T'was not long into the Socker Boppers Battle of St. Louis when they realized it best to join forces. With a molted tarantula skin in-hand and a backpack full of toilet paper, Frankenmuth and East Lansing would never be the same.
Melissa Kim
Groomswoman
With Nighthawk as the copilot, not even scribbled MapQuest directions could have prepared Tark for the one with four first names—notoriously known as Melissa. Indeed, the force was strong in this one, which she was keen to display through the unrelenting use of multisyllable words. Through stories of the motherland, an atypical, yet unbreakable bond was forged.
Lauren Paluta
Groomswoman
Continuing on with their seamlessly never-ending existence as a college student, Tark forged on into the evil (The?) Buckeye state. Yet, unbeknownst to Tark, a former Spartan—and, apparently, a bowling classmate from freshman year—was also a semi-permanent resident of the Giant Eagle Market District. From there onward, Lauren and Tark were SETS to be friends for life.
Rick Weaver
Groomsman
Speaking of the omnipresent, Dr. Professor Mr. Richard Rich Rick Weaver had been quietly lurking in the background. If he were a 70’s baby in an 80’s garage metal rock band, Serial Killer Rick would certainly be an apt codename. As an old wise man, Serial Killer Rick was undoubtedly old; yet this never stopped him from sharing sage advice gleaned from his younger years.
Rebecca Bosetti
Officiant
Left wandering the empty kitchen of the conference Airbnb alone, Tark was—unsurprisingly—the final student of the cohort. Yet, as statistical chance would have it, an intrusive knock was heard echoing through the walls, followed by faint laughter. Upon finishing their pre-pubescent screams, Tark knew it could only be Saint Rebecca “Elbie” Basmati Biscotti—the ghostly figure who would later manifest into their living room every Monday for dinner.