Wedding Party
Ashley Cho
Bridesmaid
Ashley and Mabel first met in an escape room lobby when they were in the twelfth grade, though a groupchat containing a medley of mutual friends is where they were technically first acquainted. Ashley is a soft-spoken and reliable teammate for any local shenanigan, whether it’s a pre-planned summer picnic where she’s the only one who remembers to bring paper plates, or a spontaneous wintery trip to Sentry Box to contemplate how dice really should be edible. Ashley has also been convinced into several out-of-province trips - going to Japan involved a full itinerary breakdown in a study room on the Foothills UofC campus, while going to Vancouver Island to stare at the ocean was an easier sell. Mabel and Ashley have often reflected on their similar experiences growing up as suburban immigrant kids, being both eldest daughters and eldest siblings, and appreciating the sacrifices their parents have made for them to be here. Over the years, they have also exchanged many a concert review, snapchat story reply, and screenshotted meme. They have witnessed both themselves and their family's dogs grow up, but barely grow old. Ashley is a thoughtful, consistent, and generous friend whom Mabel feels very grateful to have standing at her side for this special day, and those to come.
Vicky Duan
Bridesmaid
Vicky and Mabel first met through mutual friends in the tenth grade, which resulted in sharing many lunchtimes during their time in high school. It was when they had the same spare in the first semester of Grade 12 that their friendship grew, leading to hijinks like microwaving marshmallows in the cafeteria, looking the exact same from the back on graduation day, and discussing the possible trajectories of their futures in the library when they probably should have been doing homework. Over the years, they have connected over their shared love of mustard yellow, hand lettering and bullet journaling, bouldering up to a C3 (maybe a C4), and exploring around the world. They've spearheaded planning a 10-day whirlwind through four and a bit Japanese cities, and been able to receive the hospitality of each other's grandparents when visiting the other's sort-of-home cities in China. Throughout the last nearly decade, Mabel and Vicky have seen each other through many flavours of milestones, through graduations, different jobs, and climbing related injuries. Vicky is an attentive, courageous, and adventurous friend whom Mabel feels very grateful to have standing at her side for this special day, and those to come.
Amy Li
Bridesmaid
Amy and Mabel first formally met in first-year French 205, though they had been connected prior to that because of subbing for each other as Sunday school teachers. They, along with another classmate, were deemed "les trois mousquetaires" by their French professor, exemplifying the energy that still characterizes their friendship. While only one of them continued on to higher level French, they stayed in each other's orbits through reading week mountain outings with a stop at McKay's, train rides home, and various snack hacks (did you know the lid of a pudding cup can be used to make a spoon?). The spectacles of their (usually non-) dating lives was a point of hilarity, a way they could hold the weight and the lightness of being confused in your early 20s together. Through the process of graduating, adulting, and becoming full-on career girlies, Amy and Mabel have been cheerleaders in each other's lives despite geographical distance, whether via social media comments, visiting when they're in town, or a one hour, non-stop text thread where they discuss three different topics simultaneously. Amy is a bright, insightful, and compassionate friend whom Mabel feels very grateful to have standing at her side for this special day, and those to come.
Madeleine Nodwell
Bridesmaid
Madeleine and Mabel first met in a staff meeting at their first teaching job, where they were both new teachers and new to the school. In this time of great change, they realized that they both owned pink gingham bottoms, and planned to match outfits later that week. So began a time being first, then second, year teachers together, experiencing the highs and lows of being a baby teacher. There were more matching outfits, after school tea and snacks, and downtown rush-hour rides, where they'd recount and analyze both outrageous and heart-warming moments from the day. They successfully launched the school dance and convinced their students that they're cousins (which is still believed to this day). Madeleine and Mabel have been regular patrons at the Bridgeland Golden Bell, and have stayed up many a night doing different styles of swing dancing, watching Stampede fireworks and mid-2000s movies, and moving Mabel's car at 4 AM on New Year's Day. Now, they are commiserating and co-hosting events as roommates in their downtown box in the sky, having seen each other grow considerably, and continue to grow. Madeleine is a kind, hospitable, and tenacious friend whom Mabel feels very grateful to have standing at her side for this special day, and those to come.
Bethany Schober-Olfert
Bridesmaid
Bethany and Mabel first met in a backyard, pandemic-edition of church community group, where Mabel immediately decided that she needed to become friends with Bethany. Maybe it was because of their matching Myers-Briggs types, or maybe their affinity for photography and then avoiding editing, or maybe it was because of their preference for being a subtle contributor in a group conversation. Whatever it was, it set the stage for many conversations navigating faith and life in your early 20s, and lamenting the dismal lighting in the movie theatre where their church used to meet. This led to them becoming each other's first non-family roommates as they housesat together. Despite sometimes only seeing each other at church after a busy week, they still found time to have tea in cute mugs, check on how the semester was going, and observe the deer resting in the backyard. Mabel has always admired Bethany's determination in many areas of life, from academic pursuits in psychology to being a youth leader for a multi-grade group of girls. Bethany is also a person of great sensitivity and care, qualities that Mabel has had the gift of receiving on some very difficult days. Mabel had the honour of standing alongside Bethany when she married her best friend, and now, the roles have reversed. Bethany is a creative, gentle, and godly friend whom Mabel feels very grateful to have standing at her side for this special day, and those to come.
Brett Dietterle
Groomsman
Nick first met Brett while serving in youth group ministry. Even though they were only a couple years apart in age, Brett had already accomplished so much, including being one of Calgary's top photographers and competing as a Team Canada representative on the global roller hockey stage. Nick and Brett shared many laughs together, whether it was in a geophysics lecture trying not to fall asleep, preparing an outrageous (and borderline inappropriate) youth game, or trying to maximize their money at all-you-can-eat KFC. Brett has also been a spiritual mentor to Nick, sharing thoughts about life, our purpose, how to be leaders in our families and communities, and how to live our faith in the best way we can. Nick is honored to have Brett support him, both on this day and for all the days in the future.
Nathan Jung
Groomsman
Nick first met Nathan in the NICU of the Rockyview Hospital. With all the time that Nathan was getting from their parents in those early days, it's no wonder Nick became so melodramatic and attention-seeking. While Nick was the first of the two brothers to try different sports, enroll in new schools, and attend camps, Nathan (being the smarter and more athletic of the two of them) excelled in studies and athletics, playing multiple varsity sports and eventually being accepted to (and finishing) a degree in computer science. While they share the same initials, they differ in many (good) ways, and Nick is proud to call Nathan the caring, considerate, and empathetic one of the two brothers. Even though he is younger, Nick has learned a lot from Nathan about resilience, steadfastness, and grit, evident in both Nathan's early life and throughout the last few years. It's an honor to have Nathan be with Nick on this special day.
Adam Laser
Groomsman
Nick first met Adam at Camp Chamisall where Nick was just a shy and awkward junior high camper and Adam was a Counsellor. Adam's charisma and desire to serve youth inspired Nick, and Adam's passion for youth was a large reason that Nick served in youth and Chamisall. Nick was lucky enough to call Adam a friend and mentor as Nick continued to grow through university. Adam was someone who Nick could always go to for life advice, a stock tip, or an outrageous joke. Nick had the privilege of serving with Adam in church ministry, youth summer camps, and on boards of directors, and Nick's life (and many others) will always have an Adam-sized imprint on it. While Adam can't be with us on this celebratory day, we know he is with us in spirit and is cheering us on. He also would have probably taken his shirt off during the dance in typical Adam fashion.
Nader Soliman
Groomsman
Nick first met Nader as a new member of the church's young adult ministry. Quick to bond over their passion for basketball, Nick and Nader spent many hours together in young adults, small groups, and eventually coaching a basketball team together. During their time coaching, Nick learned that running the kids until they couldn't stand was not always the answer; in fact, the kids often gravitated to Nader's humble, calm yet assertive, and caring nature, with a genuine and authentic desire to see them succeed, both on the court and in the classroom. Nader has the unique ability to form a sincere and personal connection with everyone he meets, showing Christ to all who have the privilege of meeting him. Nick is honored to have Nader as a friend and mentor, and is glad to have Nader by his side as he embarks on this next chapter of his life.
Stephen Zheng
Groomsman
Nick first met Stephen as he was loading the car to go to U of A for his first year of engineering. As Nick continues to get to know Stephen, he is always inspired by Stephen's involvement in the local church, always spending time participating with youth groups, vacation Bible school camps, and building community within his congregation. When not at school, serving in church, or with friends, Stephen is also an avid rec volleyball sub and anime theme song piano player. He is truly a man of many talents! Nick is honored to have Stephen join him on this day of unifying families, and he is excited to call Stephen a brother-in-law.