Best Man
Jody's older brother and partner in crime growing up. The two have always been close. Jody always enjoys getting together with Jon and his family of 4 who now reside in State College! Jody was Jon's best man in his wedding and now gets the honor of returning the favor.
Groomsman
Phil was one of Jody's roommates at Penn State for 3 years. Jody and Phil met freshman year and were in the same bible study with the Navigators and went on to lead a bible study together their junior and senior years. Jody and Phil shared countless college memories together. Phil now lives in Dayton, Ohio with his wife and son, working in the Air Force.
Groomsman
Matt and Jody are long time friends from Penn State. Both bonded over their love of tennis, though Matt is admittedly more of a Rafa fan than a Fed fan which Jody does not approve of. None the less the two have stayed close after Matt moved out to Chicago with his wife. Matt, Jody and Phil all enjoy getting together and watching tennis or trying out a new disc golf course.
Groomsman
Lyle, a featured stallion of the stable, was another of Jody's college roommates. Lyle was and always will be the life of the party. One of the first times they were together they realized that they both had been ACC bible quizzers for a number of years and knew they had a lot in common. Lyle was also one of the two other men that cycled across the country with Jody in the summer of 2011. Lyle is a lover of fish and mopeds. Lyle now lives in Lancaster County with his expecting wife and son.
Groomsman
Jody has just recently gotten to know Harry, Johanna's youngest brother, in the past few months. Harry and Johanna have always been very close siblings even though they are 10 years apart. Harry solidified his spot in the groomsman lineup by gifting Jody an authentic Miles Sanders Philadelphia Eagles jersey for Christmas this year ;). Jody has enjoyed getting to know the entire Jurisson family these past few months especially while vacationing to the Grand Canyon over Christmas with the family.
Groomsman
Josh has been Jody's brother-in-law since 2010 and has known Jody since the summer of 2005 while working at Tel Hai Camp. Josh was the one who first taught Jody how to drive stick in his old tattered Nissan. Josh was also the one that first wanted to set Johanna and Jody up on a blind date. So I guess we owe it all to Josh for making this relationship a reality. Thanks Josh!
Matron of Honor
Courtney and Johanna met at church just a few years ago and almost instantly became close friends. They've stayed past hours at coffee shops a number of times just lost in all the goofy conversation. She is one of the most caring, life-filling, hilarious people Jo has ever known, and always has time for her despite having THREE little kids. She's been through the thick and thin with Jo...they've cried, laughed, dreamed and celebrated together. She's the best!
Bridesmaid
Mi amiga y compañera de viaje! :) Georgie and Johanna met while studying in Spain years ago and have been all over the world together since. She's from the Czech Republic and shares Jo's love of exploring new places and learning new languages. She is an amazing photographer, a fashion guru, and a successful YouTuber. Last summer she and Jo traveled to Mexico together and had a very unplanned blast of a time. She's an amazing person and is flying overseas to be here!
Bridesmaid
Jo: "Will you stay by my side forever?" Emily: "Did you just propose?" This is just a small example of the late-night, ridiculous conversations between these friends. Emily is Jo's crazy, up-for-anything-at-any-time, goofball of a friend. They met while working in Germany and have stayed in touch ever since. They've ridden camels in Morocco, gone archery shooting in the Black Forest, had cucumber eating contests, and gotten into lots of mischief while babysitting for mutual friends. Why does she live so far?!
Bridesmaid
Jo and Deb have referred to each other as "best buds" ever since they were 2 years old. They met when Jo's family was living in upstate NY and have stayed in touch every since (thanks to dial up internet and old-school snail mail). Growing up, they had a summer tradition of sleeping on the trampoline and choreographing trampoline routines to perform for their parents. They share a love of puppies, sweet potatoes, and (semi-shamefully) the reality TV show The Bachelor. Deb is a physical therapist in Atlanta, and Jo is desperately trying to get her up to PA :)
Bridesmaid
Jo and Emily's families have been friends since before they were born. Their all-time best memories are from the many, many vacations they took together in Hatteras, NC. They used to dream of running a bakery together....until both of them discovered they were allergic to gluten. Somehow jumping into the pool at midnight, doing facials, and getting hair feathers on the boardwalk turned into graduation parties, wedding planning, baby showers and all that grown-up stuff :)
Bridesmaid
Jamie is to blame for the upcoming wedding! She's Jody's older sister, and her and her husband Josh were the matchmakers that set Jody and Johanna up in the first place. She was also Jody and Johanna's favorite reaction to the "We're engaged!" news. Johanna is so excited to finally have a sister!