Wedding Party
Maura Shandley
Maid of Honor
Older Sister of the Bride Maura first met Lisa when she was only a few minutes old. Not initially stoked to have to share the spotlight, there is photographic evidence of when Maura tried to snuff Lisa out. Their relationship is much better now, and Maura has graciously accepted Lisa's request to be the Maid of Honor at her wedding. Maura holds the title as the only Shandley sister to be a Barrington High School Homecoming Queen - those were the days! Her tiara and sash can still be found in her childhood room, and she will be sporting them at the wedding per the bride's request.
Jack Behrens
Best Man
Friend since: 1992 (peak rivalry 1996 - 2011) Jack was Mike's OG ride-or-die on bike treks to fast-food restaurants throughout their hometown in Minnesota. On these rides conversation rarely ventured from important things like Taco Bell CinnaTwists to insignficant matters such as girls, but years later Jack suggested dating apps that made this wedding possible. He is a forward thinker who both bought crypto and more impressively popularized Bieber hair before it was cool. While at MIT, Jack created a Sports Jeopardy game that was hosted by Ken Jennings and gifted Mike a ticket to see the show.
Colleen Shandley
Matron of Honor
Younger Sister of the Bride Colleen and Lisa go way back. When they were younger, they shared a room, but Lisa was careful to draw a line down the center so Colleen knew which side was hers. One of their favorite childhood games was when Colleen would pretend to be Lisa's maid named Mandy and would wait on Lisa hand and foot. Colleen recently asked Lisa to be her MOH this past spring, so Lisa did not have to be deMandy when she asked Colleen to be her Matron of Honor - the answer was a clear "Yes!"
Travis King
Groomsman
Friend since: 1993 Since preschool Travis has been the perfect companion for sporting activity on a field, court, pitch, or even in a ditch. A mere two-house walk away, Mike and Travis teamed up year-round in street hockey, baseball, basketball, football, golf, and soccer. Mike replaced Travis in the Broadway Pizza HR system for his first job as a pizza chef. Nowadays, both are avid users of the "TWINSWIN" Papa John's discount code in rare instances where it is applicable.
Bridget Behrens
Bridesmaid
Younger Sister of the Groom Bridget first met Lisa when she came to visit Atlanta for Mike's MBA Prom in spring 2019; Lisa earned Bridget's respect when she suggested they take "roadies" for the walk to the venue. Bridget is ecstatic that Lisa will be joining the Behrens family, as it means that for the first time, the Behrens women finally outnumber the men. In her free time, Bridget enjoys boozy brunch, teaching her cat Lilah how to use a human toilet, and being the only one in her family to cheer for University of Wisconsin.
Nate Bander
Groomsman
Friend since: 1995 Nate is Mike's most outgoing neighbro. If Nate is near a body of water he will likely try to jump into it. This backfired as a kid, when he urgently set the neighborhood record for leeches removed in under 5 minutes after wading into Wilmes Lake. Nate is also a hoops hero and student of the game who once honored Wilt Chamberlain by eating 100 chicken nuggets in a single sitting. Fluent in Espanyol from living in Spain and traveling throughout South America, Nate has also eaten crickets, climbed pyramids, and explored caves with Mike in Mexico.
Sarah Kellerhals
Bridesmaid
Friend of the Bride Sarah and Lisa met in OBGYN residency at Emory. Sarah is so excited that Lisa is finally getting married because it means she can finally divorce Lisa as her work-wife. Lisa and Sarah were delivering babies together for the first 6 weeks of Lisa and Mike's dating experience, so every morning after discussing the laboring patients, Sarah received a play-by-play of their budding relationship. Although she has now quit medicine and spends 100% of her time tending to her bees, Sarah remembers the beginning of Lisa and Mike's relationship fondly and is so excited to see the dating advice she gave Lisa work out.
Pat O'Connor
Groomsman
Friend since: 2001 Pat has been an initiator of outdoor adventures with Mike since middle school, from skiing in Montana to mulching on his parents' blueberry farm. Most recently they walked from the North Rim to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in a single day. After witnessing Mike's difficulty preparing scrambled eggs in college, Pat gave Mike the life-saving gift of a George Foreman grill for graduation. Having lived in Alaska prior to med school, Pat journeyed back with Mike and Lisa and expertly captured the engagement at Denali National Park.
Victoria Jiang
Bridesmaid
Friend of the Bride Victoria and Lisa also met in OBGYN residency at Emory. Victoria is well known for RSVP-ing to any and all Facebook events, and quickly became the keeper of any social events that Lisa may hope to attend. Victoria is a "Yes (Wo)man" and is always down to join a fun activity - hence the easy "Yes" when asked to be a part of Mike and Lisa's wedding. Her one request - she gets to take one of her famous Victoria Jiang selfies with the entire wedding guest list.
Ben Drwall-Hrad
Groomsman
Friend since: 2003 Ben has been a master of mixed CDs since high school and Mike's accountabilibuddy since 2018. He boosted his resume and athleticism with Mike as a founding father of the Student Racquetball Club at the University of Minnesota. Also a renowned virtual athlete, Ben joined forces with Mike to lead the Vikings to a long-awaited Super Bowl victory...in Madden 2015 Ultimate Team online for PlayStation 3.
Alexandra Reitz
Bridesmaid
Friend of the Bride Alex and Lisa met early in medical school and became fast friends after sharing a cadaver in anatomy class. Fast forward 4 years from that, and they both decided to stay at Emory for residency: Lisa in OBGYN and Alex in General Surgery. Lisa was honored when Alex asked that she deliver her baby and help welcome her son Ray into the world. Alex has promised to return the favor and has first dibs if Lisa ever needs her appendix removed.
Arnold Ringstad
Groomsman
Friend since: 2004 Arnold is a literary enthusiast who joined Mike as a founding father of The Book of Night Men book club. Though tennis may be Arnold's strongest sport (he recently represented the Midwest at USTA Nationals), he also pioneered the "Benedict Arnold" as a signature basketball move for games of H-O-R-S-E. As a member of the National Honor Society, Arnold created a parody of The Office focused on the class of 2007; Mike's fame skyrocketed as a result of Arnold's decision to put him on the cover of the Deluxe Edition DVD.
Samantha Beach
Officiant
Samantha (Sam) has been a friend of Lisa's since elementary school when they played in a church basketball league together. Sam has made her career as an actress, but that does not mean that she is at all dramatic. Her one request is that she be referred to as "Slammin' Sammy Jammer" for all wedding-related activities. Mike and Lisa were so honored when Sam agreed to tell their love story and share in their special day. This is Sam's third wedding acting as an officiant - and you know what they say - third time's a charm!