Jared & Carly
Meet the Wedding Party
Maesa Idries
Soul Sister
You know the 10,000 hour rule? Maesa and I have hit that metric, talking. You name the topic, we've covered it. Maesa is a full-time foster mom, but I knew Maesa was exquisite well before she cashed in the cushy corporate life for 6 kids. She is intelligent and empathetic. Have I mentioned passionate? She is a seeker of justice, whether it be for social inequity or upgrading our hotel room due to a management mishap. Fun fact, she doesn't know how to dress for the weather. Maesa gets me. She praises my wit and checks me when I am too hard on myself. She also enables my love of connecting with strangers and drinking champagne with hot dogs. Marly 4 life.
Nina Letterly
Hype Squad / Brand Manager
I can count at least a dozen instances where, if it weren't for Nina, I would have made some highly questionable decisions. She encourages me to be bold with an ever-so-gentle reminder of reality. At the risk of re-stating the speech I co-gave at her wedding, this woman embodies the definition of the ideal daughter/wife/friend. She is generous, thoughtful, and a world class listener. Nina is so good at capturing life's best moments. She speaks to my inner scrapbooker, the lady who wants to cherish every silly and whimsical memory. She is an artist to her core, and brings out the artist in everyone she interacts with. She can also house a bag of pizza rolls with me late-night, an asset that will last a lifetime.
Sammy/Sam/Samantha Haller
Blood Sister
Our relationship is one for Hollywood. She was my arch nemesis during childhood, and I rolled my eyes every time someone would say that we'd get along as we got older. But they were right. She may have picked on me as a child, but I know that she loves her little (although I pretend to be bigger) sister. Sammy has a keen eye for fashion and wears her heart on her fricken sleeve. She cares deeply for not just her family, but has more empathy than anyone you've ever met. Empathy for her friends, coworkers, neighbors, strangers, and heck...TV characters. This is how I know we are related. I admire Sammy's stamina, as life has never been presented to her on a silver platter. But who cares, silver is so last season.
Grace Pophal
Blood Brother
Grace and her family taught me about generosity and the feeling of belonging. And yes, we rubbed scabs to earn the official title of blood brothers. That's the thing, Grace and I take our friendship very seriously. Like that Train lyric, "Your best friend always sticking up for you even when I know you're wrong"? That's us. We tied bandannas on our heads as kids, raced our mountain bikes down the cul-de-sac vs. the neighborhood kids, and acted like our life depended on it. Because it did. Grace and I have shared broken bones and broken hearts. I have known her since I was FIVE. We have shared every phase of life. Every awkward, embarrassing, mother-yelling-at-you-in-front-of-your-friends phase. Our swim coach coined us Thing 1 & Thing 2. I know we've lived up to that title.
Michael Palmer
A Good, Bad Influence
My beloved friend that has endless energy, passionate pursuit of his (and your) dreams, plus killer taste in food/drink. Coincidentally, I met Michael while we were candidates in the same group interview. We both received job offers, and I pressured him to take the job after we had a blast getting to know each other over Jack Daniels at the airport. So far, it might seem like I have the pursuation over Michael, which is SO far from the truth. This man has coerced me to climb to Mt. Everest base camp, book a last minute trip to Costa Rica, rent an RV, eat Michelin meals like fast food, and sell a kidney on the black market (kidding). Michael will be the first one to the dance floor, and if you're thinking about watching from a distance, he won't let you.
Janelle Kramer
Full Heart, Full-Time
This woman does EVERYTHING to her full potential. Whether it's a minion themed birthday party for her beautiful sons, running her classroom, or a home renno for a loved one, she goes ALL OUT. Not just aesthetically...she pours her heart into everything she does. Helping me with wedding planning (check out the flowers, y'all!) is no exception. I love that Janelle isn't afraid to say what's on her mind, and better yet, will be happy to hug it out if you don't agree. She makes motherhood look cool by maintaining a sense of humor that anyone can identify with. Janelle is Jared's oldest sister, and I look forward to calling her my sister-in-law. Added bonus that she helps keep Jared in line!
Cristy Moravitz
Hell on Wheels
Cristy is my spunkiest friend. She is so unapologetically herself that it's contagious. The first time I met Cristy was when she got her tonsils out. Weird I know, to tag along to visit someone on bed rest when you haven't spent much time with them before. Not for Cristy or I. She bought into our friendship since day 1, and we've been by each other's side for all sorts of things: tattoos, BigTen football tailgates, mechanic lessons from her dad, getting into (and out of) trouble, and more New Years Eve's than I can count. Cristy sticks to her priorities and doesn't fall victim to peer pressure. Which is funny, because I bet i'll find her convincing one of you to eat a piece of wedding cake that fell on the floor.
Katie Smith aka Belly
“Mom”
When I moved away to attend Ohio State, I didn't need anyone to look out for me. Or so I thought. When the little things happened: I'd flunk a test, drain my bank account, sprain my ankles, get my heart broken...Katie would manifest. She'd make life a little better with a healthy dose of TV and Taco Bell. Katie has always been the best at making time pass with life's simplest pleasures. We'd drive back home together for the holidays and a three hour drive would feel like 30 minutes (sub-credit to Usher for his Confessions Album). On move-in day to our Sophomore year apartment, she had a pot of mac and cheese started before we turned the lights on. By each other's side is a comfortable place for both of us, our weddings included.
Al Holmes
Best Man
Everyone’s got a best friend, and Al is mine. I'm not exactly sure when or where I met Al. I think it was roughly around fourth or fifth grade through rec sports. Once I moved to the same school as Al, we quickly became inseparable. If you see one of us, there's about a 90% chance that the other one isn’t far behind. Looking back, Al has played a big role in my life and become a part of my family. I’ve been through the ringer with Al, I’ve always had his back and he’s had mine. His dry sense of humor and easy going disposition make him extremely likable. I’ve gone through the first few-chapters of life with Al as a best friend, and I know he will be by my side for the rest.
Trent Kramer
Groomsman
Trent started dating my oldest sister, Janelle, when I was in middle school. He has been a big part of my life/family ever since. In fact, he’s really more of a brother than a brother in law. When I first met Trent, he had a perm and drove a decked out Chevy Tahoe with shiny rims. You would have thought Richard Simmon’s stole a hip hop stars' ride. In all seriousness, you’ll be tough-pressed to find a more caring and giving person than Trent. Spend 5 minutes with him and it is apparent how great of a dad and husband he is. He loves the Detroit Lions to a fault and has a hell of a time killing deer, but we’ve all got our issues.
Paul Dewys
Groomsman
Paul, the man in black. For those of you that know Paul, you understand that it’ll take a small miracle for him to be dressed in gray and navy on our wedding day. But we know he will do it for us. It’s all black everything, all the time for Paul (cars, shoes, hats, accessories). Don’t let the intimidating color choice fool you, Paul is one of the most approachable people I know. His judgment free personality is a breath of fresh air. In a world of filters and fillers, Paul takes a genuine approach to life. He is always willing to lend an ear or a hand. Fun fact: Paul became friends with Carly before I did!
Ben Dewys
Groomsman
Ben, aka steady Eddie. Ben has the most consistent demeanor of any person I know. I met Ben in junior highschool when we both transferred schools. We immediately became friends, and it’s easy to see why. We essentially like all of the same hobbies, foods, drinks, comedians, podcasts, you name it. Ben is as generous and grounded as they come. He never gets caught up in fads or the latest and greatest. In a world of people trying to be everyone but themselves, Ben is comfortable in his own skin. Something he has in common with his brother, Paul, also in the wedding party. Crazy fact about Ben, he hasn’t had a head cold in like 20 years.
Scott Christopher Jr.
Groomsman
I have known Scott for, well, as long as I can remember. We essentially grew up together: chugging Mountain Dews, camping, riding bikes/four wheelers, lighting fireworks, and looking to see what kind of trouble we could get into. Scott is undoubtably the most well-traveled and cultured of the group. There’s a good chance he has valuable input on whatever the topic of discussion is at your dinner table. He’s smart, thoughtful, funny, and has a bright future. He’s my oldest and longest friend, and better yet, our dads have been friends since child hood. I hopes that someday our sons will be able to carry the torch.
Dylan Haller
Groomsman
Dylan is a giver. He is beyond generous with his time, patience, and empathy as a Para-Professional for grade schoolers with special needs. He has a laugh that could make Putin crack a smile and a sense of humor that both a 9 and 90 year old can relate to. He's always been under a military level of protection by Carly, his middle sister, but she is learning that he is damn capable on his own. Dylan's favorite past time is to tease his sisters. It is well warranted, since growing up Sammy and Carly would make him play dress-up or barge into his room to pester his guinea pig, Patches. Needless to say, he probably will have a whoopie cushion on Carly's dinner seat at the reception. Dylan adores Jared for his cool 'dude' hobbies like hunting/fishing and silly sense of humor.
Eric Grabijas
Groomsman
I met Eric during undergrad at GVSU. Our friend, Joe, said he and a buddy were looking for a place to live over the summer. Long story short, Eric ended up moving into the house I was renting, which ended up being my most memorable summer. The phrase, “good guy” gets tossed around a lot in our culture. But in my biased opinion, Eric could write the rule book on being a good guy. He’s a great friend, good roommate and the undisputed organizer of our friend group. Our friend group would see each other once in a blue moon if it weren't for Eric herding us cats. He goes the extra mile for everyone without expecting anything in return. If we had more Eric’s running around, the world would be better for it.
Nick Huerter
Groomsman
I first met Nick in the basement of a random GVSU building as several students attended a meeting to learn about speech pathology. Being the only two guys who were interested in this field, we naturally gravitated to each other. Nick and I eventually became roommates and spent the majority of our undergraduate time together. Nick is a gentle giant with a level head and kind heart. Our personalities are somewhat opposite, maybe that's why we click so well. I'm a bit of a worry wart and Nick is care-free. In college his room was impressively dirty and he kept a jar of peanut butter and loaf of bread in his car...for on the road snacking of course. To me that made him all the more lovable.