Wedding Party
Liz Cumblad
Bridesmaid
Liz and I met in 2006 when we lived on the same floor of our freshman dorm at Bethel. As education majors with a love for Spanish, we connected quickly; our friendship was solidified as roommates the next couple years, and she soon became one of my nearest and dearest forever friends. When we were both teachers, we'd escape our work lives each winter with an annual getaway to a cozy cabin, where ample wine and a fireplace were must-haves. Liz's grace, compassion, and humility are traits she models as a wife, mama, and friend, and I hope to bring these into my own marriage.
Amber Kerrigan
Bridesmaid
Amber is such a central part of my college experience! From co-leading a high school small group together, to leading spring break mission trips to Mexico, to taking many a PhotoBooth picture (the old-school selfie!), to Culver's runs for pumpkin shakes, my best college memories feature Amber by my side. I wish I could hire Amber to decorate my house (there'd be lots of plants), address all of my wedding invites (they'd all be pretty), and cultivate my wardrobe (I'd be classy and timeless!), but being my bridesmaid and loyal friend is better than all of those combined.
Libby Burton
Bridesmaid
I met Libby when she visited Lincoln, the school where we taught in Mexico, during my last year living there. We never overlapped years in Guadalajara, but when she moved back to Minnesota after her stint at Lincoln, we immediately bonded over not-quite-shared-but-yet-very-similar experiences. I've always considered Libby a kindred spirit; I find myself thinking or saying "me too! same! YES! exactly!" during so many of our conversations. We both love traveling and nice things, and we've shared countless laughs and glasses of wine over online dating horror stories.
Charla Wanta
Bridesmaid
Charla's classroom was next to mine when I moved to Guadalajara, and as a 4-year Lincoln vet, she was a source of wisdom and encouragement as I adjusted to teaching and living in a new culture. We shared countless stories about our wacky students and went ALL OUT for school spirit weeks. Charla hosted a weekly dinner for teachers and local friends at her apartment, providing the space for community to form outside the classroom. I've visited her as she's moved from DC to WV to Portland, and I've come to the conclusion that though Charla's home may change, her heart does not.
Justin Ramdular
Groomsman
Justin is my friend.
Andrew Poland
Groomsman
Brother.
Mitch Mekoli
Groomsman
Mitch is also my friend.
Kevin Kwong
Groomsman
Kevin is my friend too.
Ashley Walter
Usher
I wouldn't have survived my last teaching job without Ashley. Period. We taught the same classes, placated the same challenging parents, commiserated over spending our weekends grading disappointing essays, and when the going really got tough, we'd dream together of teaching a Harry Potter course (our proposal was rejected). Ashley has a knack for truly knowing the people closest to her on a deep level and thus gives the best, most personalized gifts. She also laughs at my lame interjections of Shakespeare quotes into everyday conversation so she's a good person to have around.
Beth Baxley
Usher
I've known Beth since I started at MVHS in 2013, but I've really KNOWN Beth since traveling around Europe together as part of a teaching grant she, Ashley, and I won together. I had always admired how teaching seemed to come naturally for Beth, but I soon also grew to admire her ability to pack 3 weeks' worth of travel essentials into a backpack, the way she engages someone into conversation by asking the right questions, and how her hair somehow looks flawless by using just one simple styling product. Beth gives great hugs and is the most social introvert I've ever met.
Lexi Runnals
Usher
Lexi came to MVHS in 2016 and her shoot-straightedness, honesty, and candor were refreshing. Beth and Ashley had always been my "ride or dies" at school (is that still a cool phrase?), and once Lexi joined our group, we ironically began calling ourselves "squad", since that actually was a cool phrase all the teenagers were using that year. It stuck. From winter getaways in Wisconsin to exploring Atlanta, to sharing vodka tonics poolside in the summer to winning (!) at trivia night, Lexi brings enthusiasm and zest everywhere. Her three cats helped inspire me to adopt Nora, so Nora basically owes her life to Lexi.