Best Person (Adam)
Hi! My name is Melissa Bader-Huesgen. I met Adam and Mason when Adam and I worked as Hall Directors together at the University of Delaware. When Adam asked me for a favorite memory, so many came to mind, but I settled on two. The first was when we had our first snow day at UD. Adam, Mason, and I took our dogs out behind the building I was overseeing and it was so much fun watching them play together in the snow. We threw snowballs at each other and played with the dogs, watching them not know what to do with all the snow. The other memory I have is when Adam and I took a last-minute road trip to Boston. Adam had just flown back from an interview and I picked him up at the airport to make the 6 hour drive through the night. It was spontaneous and it was such a fun road trip!
Best Person (Mason)
My name is Lori Austin. My favorite memory with Mason is when he went out with me and my roommate Julisa one night. We were at a bar called "Hammerheads" that thankfully doesn't exist anymore. That place was dark and very sticky! We were happy to be there though because we didn't usually have success in getting Mason to go to places like that with us. Mason had a few more drinks than we did. He decided he wanted to sing a karaoke song. I didn't think he would do it, but sure enough, he got up there and sang "Ho Hey" by the Lumineers. It was very entertaining! He kind of screamed the Ho Hey part, and we died laughing! That night, Mason showed his less-reserved side that not many people get to see. I am so glad to be one of the people he feels comfortable enough to get crazy with!
Groomsperson (Adam)
My name is Jacqui Epley, and I met Adam when we were English majors together at the University of Southern Indiana. In addition to helping each other survive some horrible English classes (looking at you Renaissance Lit), Adam and I became quick friends through bonding over the fact that neither of us had a "traditional" college experience since we were both transfers. Adam made me feel like "one of the group" and he introduced me to the delicious food at the Cross-Eyed Cricket, complete with car-karaoke on the way there!
Groomsperson (Mason)
My name is Lindsey Caterina. I met Mason my Junior year at the University of Southern Indiana. Julisa Gendren introduced us and we instantly became friends. One of my favorite memories was having a game night at my apartment. We played games and watched movies for hours! I remember taking a picture with everyone. We wanted to do a "family" photo because we all felt like we were becoming each other's family. I truly appreciate our friendship, and I cannot wait to get to know Adam more!
Groomsperson (Adam)
My name is Alle Hall. I met Adam and Mason in Fall 2015. I can't believe it has been six years now! At that time, Adam, Becca Jokerst, and I started graduate school together at the University of Dayton. We lived in the same residence hall where we also shared an office as graduate assistants for housing. Between UD and Adam and Mason's apartment, we spent a lot of time listening to music, crafting, playing games, doing homework, and sharing meals together. I am so grateful to have met them all when I did, as they made those years so much fun! Adam and I graduated together in May 2017. My favorite memory is that shortly afterward, we took a trip to Holiday World! It rained the whole time and we got soaked, but we still had a blast! I am so excited to celebrate them on their special day!
Groomsperson (Mason)
My name is Julisa Gendren. I met Mason when we worked together at Walmart and we became Facebook friends. A year later, I started school at USI and ran into him on campus. We started hanging out so much after that, that everyone thought we were a couple! He was constantly at the apartment I shared with Lori, Lindsey, and Lily. I was the first person Mason came out to, and I was so happy that he felt safe with us. My favorite memory is when Mason, Andi, and I went to the Bloomington Pride Film Festival. We had so much fun getting to be completely ourselves. We danced, drank, and talked about anything and everything. We spent 45 minutes in a Waffle House without ever getting food! Every moment spent with Mason is full of laughter and acceptance, and I am so honored to call him my friend.
Groomsperson (Adam)
Hi! My name is Shawn Hornickel, and I met Adam when we were English Majors together at Vincennes University. We first met in a British Literature class. I messaged Adam later in the day to ask if he had gotten the homework, and our friendship blossomed from there. We spent many nights together studying in the library and prepping for presentations and papers on books that we never bothered to read. When Adam asked me for a favorite memory, the best one I could think of were the many breaks in between classes when we would drive around town in Adam's beat-up red truck with the windows down screaming the lyrics to "See You Again" by Miley Cyrus over and over again! I am so happy for Adam and Mason, and I am honored to be a part of helping them celebrate this momentous day!
Groomsperson (Mason)
My name is Andrea (Andi) Linberg. I first met Mason several, several years ago, at the University of Southern Indiana's (USI) LGBTQ+ organization (SAFE/Spectrum). I'm so old, I cannot even remember the first time we talked or hung out! Either way, every memory I've had with Mason (& Adam) has always been pleasant and precious to me. One year, Mason and I traveled to Louisville, hitting up gay bars and having a little too much alcohol! Mason, you've always been an absolute constant and close friend throughout my life. I am pleased as punch that you have found your soulmate in Adam. I cannot wait to be a part of the best day EVER for both you and Adam. I love you both! :)
Groomsperson (Adam)
My name is Becca Jokerst. I first met Adam in the Fall of 2015 where we both worked as graduate assistants in housing for the University of Dayton. He, Alle Hall, and I shared an office that first year and enjoyed many hijinks together. I had the pleasure of meeting Mason shortly after, and appreciated his sharp sense of humor and his kindness. I was lucky enough to spend that first Summer with Adam and Mason, sharing their apartment. We enjoyed cooking meals together, doing tie-dye, and making up little games to play around the apartment. Not only did I benefit from their kindness that Summer, I also got a glimpse into their relationship that made me feel happy and excited for them. I am honored to celebrate their love for each other and wish them every happiness this life can bring!
Officiant
My name is Robert Bader-Huesgen, and I first met Adam and Mason when Adam was working with my partner, Melissa Bader-Huesgen at the University of Delaware. We have spent many nights hanging out, venting, watching movies, and playing board games, but my all-time favorite memory with Adam and Mason was a night when we were all hanging out with our dogs. Adam and Mason's Dog, Grayson, jumped up to say hi to Melissa and then immediately starting coughing. I will never forget how much laughing ensued when we all saw the sheer look of horror that came across Melissa's face, thinking that Grayson was going to throw up on them! Thankfully, Grayson was just coughing from drinking his water too fast :)