Lauren & Jesse
Wedding Party
Chloe Wozniak
Maid of Honor
My sister and only member of my bridal party I’ve known for their whole life! Because I've known her for her whole life, there are so many memories I could share that highlight our dynamic. As a built-in best friend who has had essentially the same childhood as me, Chloe can pretty much read my mind. We can communicate with merely a side-eye and small noises. How does one pick a story that encapsulates the relationship with a sister, someone who had to watch the same 3 Austin Powers DVD's in our childhood car? Or who you forced to listen to all your music you thought was the best at age 13? Considering I saw her at recess everyday (as a very mature 4th grader) choreographing her Cheetah Girls routine as a 1st grader, it is safe to say Chloe is a unique person. She is my biggest cheerleader in my big moments and is able to make me laugh. Plus, she is the only one who knows my niche thoughts and references, because they are hers, too.
Taylor Link
Bridesmaid
My first friend I met at SPU 10 years ago. After being introduced our freshman year as little 18yr old babies, we were soon inseparable. A memory that makes me laugh about our friendship takes place our sophomore year. In our dorm-room boredom, we decided to make and edit an Office parody video and then upload it to our Ashton Hall FB page, telling everyone to watch because of how funny it was. Im sure no one watched, but we had the best time and definitely thought we were (are) the funniest people on the planet. Since then, our twenties have included so many trips to visit her in the fun places she moves and making memories! From Texas to Alaska and hopefully Hawaii next! In between those trips are so many times of driving down to Maple Valley to spend time with her and her family having too many margaritas, long talks by the fire and laughs late into the night. We pick up wherever we leave off every time, and for that I am so thankful.
Cheyenne Berger
Bridesmaid
I met Cheyenne the day we moved into Ashton Hall at the beginning of our sophomore year and learned she already knew Taylor. She lovingly referred to me as a muffin for the first few weeks, and I knew we were on our way to becoming best friends. Our last 10 years of friendship have taken place in so many houses, apartments, and even two different states. It feels impossible to pick a memory that shows our friendship and sisterhood, since it feels like we (along with Kendall and Taylor) have gotten to grow up together in a sense. The common theme in most memories with Cheyenne is some element of “you’ve got to be kidding me”. In college, the term we would’ve used would be classic, or joker. I think of when we lived off-campus for the first time and we learned about utilities the hard way. We decided to cut back on using the heater, but supplement by getting giant electric blankets from Costco to warm us up. Did this save us money the bill? Not really. When I think of a friend who has influenced my life for the better, it is Cheyenne. She has taught me to stick up for myself through her tenacity. She has taught me what being faithful looks like through her own relationships. She has also taught me to laugh through the hard stuff because sometimes life really is joker.
Kendall Lipps
Bridesmaid
Kendall and I met on 6E Ashton as sophomores after her and Cheyenne were sent to my floor to be our ministry coordinator. We quickly realized we were the same brand of weird. My favorite memory with Kendall (that flourished into SO many other fun stories, friendships and even finding her husband!!) was when we arrived back from Christmas break our sophomore year. She yearned for the sunshine of SoCal where she’d spent break and declared like a crazy person, “Lets go to Disneyland next weekend”. I was also crazy though, and a week later, we stuffed 7 of us into her future-husband’s Highlander and drove from SPU to Disneyland and back in 3 days time, with a full day in Disneyland. Many doubted us, but Kendall kept the party going. Our college times were full of daily memories and I'm so thankful our twenties are marked with trips to sunny San Diego and seeing her kiddos as much as I can.
Cora Houser-Diaz
Bridesmaid
Although we both went to SPU and probably crossed paths there, our friendship did not bloom until we found ourselves in the same post-college young adult small group in 2019. As a wee new grad, I was sheepish to make friends but quickly found out how similar Cora and I were. A memory that stands with Cora is from our 2022 group road trip to Utah! This trip really solidified our friendship, as hours in the car and being covered in sweat, sunscreen and sand can do. While everyone else in our group was hike-maxing and adventure-packing activities early each morning, Cora and I prioritized different luxuries. Sleeping in, getting coffee, staying back at the pool and making sure we each got our 1-hour a day, no-talking-but-sending-Tiktoks-back-and-forth-to-each-other time. I am thankful for someone that does life at the same pace as me and finds no shame in the slow, leisurely days full of good coffee, a treat, and a thrift store calling our name.
Naomi Leavens
Bridesmaid
Another friend who I could've totally crossed paths with at SPU, Naomi and I became close after college through Cora. I was adopted into a great group of friends with Naomi and Matt through climbing, volleyball and lake days. A huge (if not main!) deciding factor in switching jobs was to work with Naomi at SCCS. We've grown not only in our careers together, learning how to lead students to Christ authentically, but also as friends with a shared faith foundation through our bible studies and ongoing conversations. A story that highlights how in sync we are comes from a work road trip two summers ago where we all piled into cars and drove to Eugene, OR. After a long travel day and unloading all 18 of us into an Airbnb, it came to be dinner time. Many options were thrown out with no decisiveness in sight, but Naomi pushed for the Old Spaghetti Factory that was a 5-minute walk away. This was also my top choice and secret desire for dinner, and I am forever grateful for her and I being on the same wavelength. Naomi shows me constantly what it is to look to the Lord for understanding and not yourself, and how to be an amazing friend, wife, and mother.
Macey Fuller
Bridesmaid
After both going to the same church in our college years, but not crossing paths, we ended up in the same young adult small group during Covid. Eventually, Macey and her husband Blake became co-leaders with me in 2021 and we made a new small group. Before this, I knew I wanted to be friends with Macey; there is nothing like co-leading to get you close with someone quick! One of the greatest joys of our early friendship was trying our best to make our group a special place and doing it together is a fond stage of life to look back on. Macey is thoughtful, intentional, and authentic. All these qualities drew me to her and made me want to lead beside her. There were so many times together of navigating the most awkward moments you could think of (in which all you can do is exchange a knowing look), staying extra late after small group just chatting, and deepening our friendship all the while. A recent memory that captures our friendship I appreciate was from my trip to visit her and Blake in their new Spokane home. I was so eager to get there because I knew I would arrive and get to just be me. Time with Macey is restful, vulnerable and comfortable togetherness. She listens so intently and sees directly into what is happening with so much discernment and wisdom! Plus, she can hit as many thrift stores as I can in a day and still not be tired of it.
Maddie Russell
Bridesmaid
Maddie and I have been friends since our freshman year of college at SPU, but it was very much on an acquaintance level. We'd met as high school seniors for a preview and were glad for a familiar face when placed on 3W Ashton our freshman year of college. Once we graduated and were looking for places to live, I reached out to see if the kind, fun girl from college would like to find a place together! In the last 6 years of living together in our dream city-view apartment, it is so hard to pull out one memory that encapsulates her! Because Maddie is the kindest and most thoughtful friend someone could have, one sticks out early on in living together. I felt this on the first birthday I had in our apartment back in 2021. It'd been almost a year living together and we were deep into our virtual teaching year. I woke up early to get the day started and somehow she had already gotten up early, driven to the eastside for my favorite coffee and decorated the kitchen so it was the first thing I saw when I got up. She has only gotten more thoughtful since then! As we both get married this summer, I wonder how I will adjust to not having her there to cry with me over TikToks too late at night, watch new shows with me, and bake fresh sourdough bread.
John Larsen
Best Man
John and I became friends at the end of my time at UW. It was a time that I really felt isolated and John was one of the guys that showed me friendship. Since then he's been a close friend, and we've walked through a lot of different seasons of life. I even got to help with his wedding during a crazy covid season. My favorite memory of John is probably being able to visit him and Serena in Wisconsin when they were living there. They've been such precious friends over the years through so many highs and lows, and I wouldn't be the person I am without the both of them. Being able to see a new state that they were calling home for a bit was a special time. John's a great man, and he often pushes me to be better.
Tim Roetcisoender
Best Man
When Tim and I first met at a small group I had no way of knowing that we would end up connecting on a number of levels, while also co-leading that very same small group in a number of years. Tim has a great heart and really cares for people well, seeing and empathizing with each person and whatever they might be going through. We've had some fun hanging out for coffee (with Nidiyan) and I've always felt heard and supported by him as I go through my normal week. I'm grateful that he puts up with me, and that he's had my back as a great friend.
Nidiyan Rajendran
Groomsman
Nidiyan and I connected one day at a Reach Church event. I randomly approached him and struck up a conversation and learned he needed a ride home. That car ride allowed us to go deeper in conversation and after reaching out a couple times, we ended up hanging out more often. Now he, Tim, and I get coffee on a regular basis to connect and share our lives. It's been such a meaningful connection to me, and I'm so thankful for the different conversations we've been able to have over the years. He loves to yell, so be ready to hear him during the wedding, he will make his presence known.
Sean Chapman
Groomsman
I met Sean when I was a part of Overlake's young adult group. We would talk occasionally and slowly get to know each other at different events. Then covid came and he was one of the few approved people that could come and go within our group of quarantined people. From that point forward we began to go deeper in friendship and now we regularly get together to connect, talk about life, and many other things. He has a kind soul and a good heart for people. If you ever want to talk about the housing market, he's your man!
Kirk Lestelle
Groomsman
Kirk and I just missed each other in the Ave House (my college house). I would see him around from different friends that were currently in the house but I didn't really get to know him during that time. When I first looked to move out, Kirk was a part of a coalition of guys that was looking to live together. I'm so thankful I took that chance to move, and live with that group because it allowed me to get to know someone that I had a lot in common with. My current job is also thanks to my connection to Kirk and it allowed me to break into a new field. Whether it's asking questions to understand someone's personality, critiquing design choices made by a major tech company, or just being generally goofy, Kirk is always a great person to have in your corner.
Hunter Backlund
Groomsman
Hunter and I met after college. He had a ton of energy and loved to say things to get a response from people haha. I wasn't sure how much we'd connect initially but that quickly changed when he stepped up to help me through a personal problem. After that I knew that he was someone that cared about his friendships, and wanted to be there in the ups and downs. Madison, his wife, also has been someone that I became friends with around that time and we all have enjoyed a ton of memories over the years. I'm thankful for the conversations we've had, late night wendy's runs after ultimate frisbee, and his amazing culinary skills that have blessed my palate more times than I can count. Also be prepared for the most insane, out of pocket sense of humor you've ever experienced in your life.
Daniel Houser-Diaz
Groomsman
I met Daniel at an event that Lauren had invited me to when had first started dating. It was a group of friends that met during their college years at SPU, and had a great rhythm of community hangouts. Daniel was someone that made it very clear early on that he wanted to get to know me regardless of the fact that I was dating Lauren. On top of that we found out that we had Volleyball and a love for sci fi in common. Through multiple group trips, and many group hangs, I'm thankful for the time spent and look forward to what the future holds for both of us. He's become a dear friend and I'm excited to have him as a part of my wedding party!
Matthew Leavens
Groomsman
Matt and I hit it off early on due to volleyball (I know I know, I'm a simple creature okay?) and I really felt cared for as an individual and not Lauren's boyfriend. I've had the opportunity to see him become a father and crush it, while also staying plugged into his community. It's been cool to chat with him about politics, stocks, video games, and all sorts of stuff. His wife Naomi has been one of the first people to welcome me into their community and we all have had fun enjoying random shows together and just sharing about our lives and supporting one another. Matt also did our engagement photos and we're so thankful for his work. He's a goofy guy and you'll probably get to see some of that come out during the wedding!