Wedding Party
Lauren Routledge
Maid of Honor
Lauren is my baby sister and my very best friend. When she was a baby, I wasn’t a huge fan since she would destroy my bedroom while I was at school. She definitely grew on me though. She is pee-your-pants-funny, incredibly sensitive even if she never sheds a tear, and so generous. (Especially with her wardrobe, which is a huge plus for me). We are often mistaken as twins. I don’t mind at all. If we were twins she would be the better half. Lauren is stunning to look at and so talented. I have taken on the practice of just taking her misdirected compliments as my own. I cannot believe how lucky I am to have two incredible sisters, and I cannot believe how lucky I am to have Lauren be on of them. I love my baby sister with all my heart, and I cant wait to share my wedding with her.
Anderson Whitnell
Best Man
Anderson is my stoic and stalwart brother. You rarely know what he's thinking, but he has a gravitas that makes you like him even before he's said much to you, and he has a creative mind that is a joy to watch at work. For years of our life, we were inseparable. Growing up we used to dress up as knights and cowboys and spin stories of incredible adventure and danger. Now we've grown older and embarked on the adventure of adulthood. Though we now are miles apart, I have never forgotten my first adventure partner, and I know that he'll always have my back because brothers always do. I'm grateful for a brother with a creative mind and a strong heart.
Raegan Marshall
Matron of Honor
The little but more mature sister of the Bride. Raegan has been my best friend from the time we were literally babies. We have years of loving each other and doing what sisters do best: playing Barbies, little house on the prairie, and wedding. I guess it is a good thing we practiced getting married so often as kids. It makes me feel more prepared for June 5th... Anyway, Raegan is the best sister you could ever ask for. She is patient, kind, and consistent. Regardless of what is going on in her own life, Raegan will make you zucchini bread and let you vent and cry to your heart’s content. She is, as Lauren and I say, the best Routledge sister. She has been so supportive in every season of my life, and I wouldn’t be the woman I am today without her by my side.
Chris Myers
Best Man
Chris is my friend with the mind of a problem-solver and heart of a poet. Since I've known him Chris has always wondered about how things worked and more often than not he would figure it out. It was not unusual to come home to find out that something had broken and Chris had tinkered around and fixed it. Yet, he retains a strong sense of empathy and support for his neighbor that goes beyond seeing individuals as problems to be solved. For the past few years we were virtually joined at the hip, whether hiking, working out, playing video games, talking esoteric rap music, or laughing at the absurdity of everyday life. I'm grateful for a friend whose sharp mind is balanced by his caring heart.
Lara Moller
Bridesmaid
It is crazy to think that I have only been with Lara in the flesh for 3 months of my entire life, but I have never had such a fast connection with another human being nor a friendship so natural. We met while au pairing in Spain. After our first shared cup of coffee, we both knew we had found a real friend. Though she lives in England so so far away from me, we manage to talk multiple times a week. Lara is the most joyful person I have ever met. She glows with a love of life and the world. She is THE BEST travel partner and weekend-in Chinese food binger. She has been by my side from the moment we met. Being separated by an ocean has not kept her from showing up for me and staying up to date on even the tiniest details in my life. I’m forever thankful for my Spanish lover.
Ben Myers
Groomsman
Ben's alacrity for life helped balance my pathological focus on work and achievement. He helped me get out into the world when I otherwise might have stayed to my studies. He also pushed me to compete and try things that I didn't like or wasn't naturally good at. A gifted storyteller with the ability to laugh at his own antics, it's not long with Ben before you crack a smile. In our time we've managed to get into shenanigans and go through some hard times, and with Ben they were always funnier in the retelling. I'm grateful for a friend with that brightness.
Hannah Malochleb
Bridesmaid
I met Hannah when we were little at a place called Hiawatha. For many years, we were just little teeny bopper campers together, but as the years progressed our summer friendship began to bleed into school years. We continued to reunite at Hiawatha and even served on staff together for many years. Hannah is the person I call more than once a week for 2 minutes at a time to make sure my outfit is cute, receive affirmation that an online purchase is a good idea, and to garner morale when I am in a sketchy or awkward situation. No detail is too small and no information too graphic for our friendship. She pushes me to try new things and be brave. I don’t know what I would do without Hannah and the best friendship that’s as close as 12 year old girls at summer camp.
Patrick Riggs
Groomsman
Patrick has the gift of connection. It doesn't matter the social setting, the group of people, or the topic of conversation he finds a way to connect with people. I remember we used to walk to class together, and it was never uncommon for Patrick to have conversations with anywhere from 5-10 people before we would get to class. His friendly nature and good humor paired with his breadth of knowledge makes him a pleasure to converse with. People are always happy to see Patrick because he brings joy with him, and I am grateful for a friend that brings joy and facilitates connection.
Adrienne Porcalla
Bridesmaid
Adrienne is one of my forever camp friends. We met while on staff. Our friendship developed because I thought she was cool, so I invited her to Reading, bought her pizza, and told her all my secrets. She had no choice. I trapped her probably. Adrienne is one of my favorite humans because she is so sensitive to the beauty of the Earth and how others around her are feeling. She is also one of the toughest people ever. One moment she can be watching planet earth and the next moment, skating circles around everyone on the hockey rink. She is the friend you take with you sky diving or trust with your life. I am so grateful for her friendship!
Ryan Cahill
Groomsman
We used to roast Ryan for being so nice and likeable, but it's one of the things that I appreciate about him the most. He's genuinely just a nice guy and a great friend. He and I attended many an IWU dance together "to meet girls." Typically, this ended with us just going to the campus store to get snacks before going back to our dorm to blast music and dance by ourselves. Though we used to make elaborate game plans about how to get Ryan a girlfriend, we all knew he didn't really need them. Ryan has only ever needed to be himself because people love that guy. I'm grateful for a friend with a gentle and kindhearted spirit.
Hannah Caringal
Bridesmaid
Hannah is a girl who is passionate about loving others to the best of her ability. She is in med school right this moment for that reason. She is one of the most compassionate human beings to exist. She understands what it means to love the widow, orphan, and poor. I met Hannah at IWU in the honors college. But I really fell in love with her during our time on staff together in the Office of Intercultural Learning and Engagement. Our purpose as a staff was to bring reconciliation to systemic injustices on campus. Hannah caught my eye as one who embodied reconciliation and trusted in the provision of God. We got to be roomies for two years. Some important things to know about her: she loves sloths; the crispy, closest-to-the-pan-bottom rice; and letting me wear her dresses as shirts.
Jacob Carson
Groomsman
Jacob is the only guy I know crazy enough to major in economics and engineering, but it's a testament to who he is. He plays life like an extreme sport. Nothing is too scary or challenging for this guy to meet head on, whether it's going off a high jump at a bike park, repeatedly wrestling someone who outweighs him by a solid 60 lbs., or hiking 20+ miles in the mountains with zero training. For all his extremity though, Jacob has pensiveness that allows him to ponder the world and talk about things with consideration and depth. I know I can always count on him to be the other guy that brings books on brocation. I'm grateful for a friend that pairs fearlessness with reflection.