Madelynn & Justin
Wedding Party
Madi Brooks
Maid of Honor
Madi and Mattie instantly became friends on the school bus the first day of 5th grade. Since they shared most of the same classes, they earned the title "Maddies Squared or Maddie^2" from their science teacher. Since they lived in the same neighborhood, sleepovers and bike rides to the pool were common occurrences. Through high school, Madi and Mattie remained best friends and rarely did anything without the other. Mattie's favorite memory that they share is when they did the science fair together in 7th grade and performed the egg in a bottle experiment, but with kiwis...this earned them one of the only Cs they ever received in school. Madi currently resides within walking distance of our reception venue in one of the cutest little houses I've ever seen.
Catherine Ralston
Bridesmaid
On the first day of their freshman biology class at Miami University, Mattie sat next to Catherine...the rest is history. Mattie and Cath went on to join the same sorority (AOII), major in the same subject (nutrition), and live together. This meant that they virtually spent ALL their time together in college, which also meant that she became pretty good friends with Justin from game nights and movie nights to vacationing in Sedona, AZ. Catherine is currently in nursing school in Columbus, Ohio and turns 25 the day that Justin and Mattie say "I Do" (so make sure to wish her a happy birthday when you see her). One of Mattie's favorite memories with Cath is when she visited her in Disney World while Cath was working there after college.
Amanda Ryerse
Bridesmaid
Mattie met Amanda around the time that she met Justin, Welcome Week freshman year at Miami. In fact, when Amanda met Justin at an honors fraternity meet n' great she jumped out of her chair, amazed to finally meet the guy Mattie had talked her ear off about. Throughout their four years at college, Mattie and Amanda could be found at church together nearly every Sunday, oftentimes double-dipping 2 services with Justin. Mattie and Amanda lived together their senior year, bringing them even closer in friendship. Currently, Amanda is thriving in the D.C. area working to protect our country and volunteering through church. Mattie's favorite memory with Amanda is when they would sing (or try to sing) at the retirement home once a month their senior year.
Lavinia Kitson
Bridesmaid
Mattie and Nina are cousins, but also very close friends. When they were little, they always had matching clothing from bathrobes made by their grandma to full outfits from Justice and Limited Too. Many of their happiest memories together took place in Janesville, WI at their grandparents' house where, with their little brothers, they found treasures in the basement, called each other by nicknames (which will remain secret here) , and celebrated Christmas with the family. Nina currently resides in Pennsylvania getting ready to start PA school. One of Mattie's favorite memories with Nina was when they spent a week together at Long Pond in Massachusetts swimming, dressing up in the old Play House, and singing the country song "Backwards".
Gillian Schultz
Bridesmaid
Gillian and Mattie both majored in Nutrition at Miami University. Mattie was a little intimidated at first, because Gillian was the president of the Student Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, but that did not stand in their way of becoming close friends. Every morning senior year they would drive to class together and listen to the Worst Dates radio show before organic chemistry. Since graduation, both Gillian and Mattie went on to become Registered Dietitians. Gillian currently reigns from Vermont where she works as a dietitian while also running her own dietetic business. Mattie's favorite memory together was as Ochem lab partners when they pretended to be Eezma and Kronk while mixing corrosive chemicals together.
Megan Meyers
Bridesmaid
Although a 1999 home video features Megan talking about Mattie from gymnastics class, Mattie and Megan did not really become close friends until the 5th grade. That same year, Mattie's family hiked up Chimney Tops Rock in the Great Smokey Mountains only to find Megan and her family already at the top! Megan currently hails from Seattle where she moved after biking across the country with the same organization as Justin, but frequently comes back to Fishers to visit family and catch up with friends. One of Mattie's favorite memories with Megan is going prom dress shopping with their moms and then stopping at the cheesecake factory for a slice afterwards.
Aaron Crookes
Best Man
Being separated by only two years, Aaron and Justin have always been close. It wasn't until they were in high school and into college that they became pretty good friends. The brothers both went to Miami University, where Aaron helped pave the way for Justin, teaching him about the best dining halls, what classes/professors to avoid, and why the Crunch and Munch bagel tastes so good in the middle of the night. More recently, Aaron and Justin shared an adventure backpacking in the Grand Canyon, exploring Zion National Park, and losing too much money playing Baccarat in Las Vegas. Aaron and his wife, Kelsey, live in Cincinnati, Ohio with their dog, Migo. Aaron works for Proctor and Gamble as a robotics engineer.
Phil LaHue
Groomsman
Phil and Justin grew up just five houses away. From spending many hours in the woods building forts, such as the 'Octopus Tree' to attempting to beat 'Helo Hunt' on Tom Clancy's 'Ghost Recon', the guys became pretty good friends. While they have have moved on from the days on Nelson Ct., they still enjoy getting together for a game of poker, Cleveland Indians baseball game, or even the occasional video game. More often than not, Phil can be found wearing wearing a denim jacket and holding a cup of coffee (see picture). Phil and his wife, Emily, live on a farm in Northeast Ohio with their daughter, Piper, and golden-doodle, Scout. Phil works as a counselor and worship pastor at a church in Medina, Ohio.
Spencer LaHue
Groomsman
Spencer is another Nelson Ct. native who grew up right down the road from Justin. While the two were friends growing up, they became much closer during high school where they shared a cabin during church camp for three years and ruled the sand volleyball court at Kaleidoscope Park. Spencer and Justin more recently have become competitive at playing tennis against one another and occasionally enjoy a game of 'Rocket League' or "Ultimate Chicken Horse'. No matter what game we decide to play, Spencer always seems to come out on top... Spencer lives in Columbus, Ohio and works for NetJets as a data analyst.
Sam Trummel
Groomsman
Over the past 6 years, Sam and Justin have gotten to know each other through many adventures, including the Fishers Indiana Donut Trail, and reminiscing about scuba diving excursions. More recently the guys spent a day with Mattie on the White River which courses through Indianapolis. While they had planned for a relaxing day of fishing and floating, their adventure suddenly became more extreme when their canoe flipped tossing them out of the vessel and into the river along with their fishing gear, water bottles and lunch. Sam is currently at Bowling Green State University studying marine biology.
Cody Ballay
Groomsman
Cody and Justin met for the first time in the spring of 2018 at a Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers on the day they signed the lease to their apartment in Columbus. Although the two guys have lived together for the past 2.5 years, they have lived in a total of four apartments. Cody and Justin have enjoyed exploring Columbus, Ohio over the years including going to the Ohio State Fair where Cody won a giant stuffed Pooh Bear (that lives in the living room of their apartment), going to church together, and cheering on the Buckeyes. Cody will graduate from Ohio State in May 2021 with his doctorate and has an interest in orthopedic physical therapy.
Luke Swanson
Groomsman
Luke and Justin first met one another in Mrs. Mueller's class in sixth grade. They became pretty good friends through Roots and Shoots, student council, and middle school cross country. Their friendship continued through high school where they would frequently close down Applebee's while eating half priced appetizers after basketball games. Although Luke went to the University of Cincinnati and Justin went to Miami University, they regularly got together to play sand volleyball during summer break and commiserate over the ending of the TV show, How I Met Your Mother. Luke is currently working in Arizona through a college campus ministry organization, St. Paul's Outreach.