Erica & Joshua
Wedding Party
Carli Klenz
Bridesmaid
I am so excited to call Carli my sister after July 5th. Carli is an amazing singer, basketball player, cross country runner, and pianist. She loves the Arrow and can kick my butt in Just Dance. Carli loves movies and mac and cheese. I don't think anyone likes mac and cheese more than Carli does. Carli absolutely loves dogs and cares for them like humans and loves her niece Sammy. I can't wait to finally call Carli my sister!
Alex Klenz
Best Man
Alex, Julie and their newest addition to the family, Nora live in Las Vegas, Nevada. They are both school teachers and use their passion for teaching to enrich the lives of students. Alex and Julie are funny and kind. Alex can also do the best toe point I've ever seen
Becky Buursma
Bridesmaid
Becky has been my sister since 2010 when she and my brother Ben got married. Becky is thoughtful and continually uses God's gifts to better the world we live in. Becky and Ben live in DC, but love to travel the world. I cannot chose a favorite memory of Becky; however, she always makes me laugh with her goofy noises and funny jokes. Becky is dynamic and always up for an adventure.
Matthew Kotva
Groomsman
Matt and I have been roommates since Freshman year of college. Matt kicks butt in Rockband, studies philosophy, and codes apps about beer-- his two favorite things. Matt and I have become close friends throughout college and continue to share donuts, Coffee flavored porters and workout plans. Matt plays baseball for Calvin while I cheer on from the stands, critiquing Matt's form and supporting him with nicknames like "KotDaddy".
Deqa Elmi-Buursma
Bridesmaid
Deqa became a part of the Buursma family in 2014 when she married my brother, Derek. They currently live in Chicago and continually add vibrant bursts of joy throughout the city. Deqa is always smiling. She cares about others non-stop and continually shares love and joy. Deqa is down for anything and I always love the way she dances when good things happen.
Joe Jackson
Groomsman
Joe and I met nearly five years ago on Third Bolt. Joe studies engineering at Calvin and in his spare time plays games of League with Jared and me. We spent two years living together and now know that Joe is better at beer pong and I can wall twerk better than anyone else.
Arielle Veenstra
Bridesmaid
Arielle and I have been friends since high school. We've been through musicals, plays, forensics, and boys together. Arielle always offers a listening ear and a sounding board. Her laugh is infectious and she gets real low during zumba. She has stuck with me through thick and thin and I couldn't imagine high school, or college without her. By far my favorite memory of Arielle was the summer before we could drive where we watched the olympics for hours where we swooned over Tom Daley and Nathan Adrian, spent multiple more hours on Pinterest planning our weddings or what we would have for dinner, and walking to each others houses after eating copious amounts of brownies or bread and cheese.
Zach Van Wyk
Groomsman
Zach was my spiritual leader and mentor freshman year of college. Always a listening ear, Zach continues to offer advice on marriage, careers, and homemade hummus recipes. Zach and his wife Lizzie live in Fremont, Michigan, but always are willing to come back down to Grand Rapids for a fun time.
Kellie Martin
Bridesmaid
Ever since I met Kellie on our dorm floor, I haven't stopped laughing. Kellie is hilarious. We love tacos and continually eat tacos together because tacos are great. We love doggos and will never stop loving the fuzzy, beautiful creatures with hearts of gold. We have long conversations about issues of gender and sexuality and Kellie continually supports and challenges me as we work through controversial subjects in our country.
Jared Vanderklay
Groomsman
I lived with Jared for two years, but we've been friends much longer. Jared graduated Calvin with a degree with engineering and quickly moved back home, despite my sadness. Jared is funny and good at league. He tends to burn pans, but still cares about people and never judges them. Jared is always there for a friend.