Melanie & Aaron
Wedding Party
Jesse Gabel
Best Man
Jesse Gabel lives in Bath, NY with his wife. He is an afternoon radio host at Family Life Network, an amazing Dungeon Master, and a crime fighter by night. Aaron first began bothering Jesse in late 2020. Jesse's creativity, energy, and humor are so similar to his that he instantly knew they would be good friends. Living as bachelor neighbors led to many late night movies, campfires, and deep conversations on the front porch. Aaron is thankful for the love, encouragement, prayer, D&D games, and consistency that Jesse has shared with him over the last four years.
Mike Heyd
Groomsman
Mike Heyd lives in Bath, NY. He is the musical director at Family Life Network, a wizard behind a piano, and probably a secret agent...the jury is still out on that one. Aaron moved into the apartment under Mike in the fall of 2019. Mike was one of the first people to make Aaron feel welcomed to town. Their friendship grew over competitive games of Catan, movie nights, and musical rehearsals. Aaron is grateful for the calming consistency, sarcastic humor, and trips for ice cream that Mike has shared with him.
Bryson Hayes
Groomsman
Bryson lives in Painted Post, NY. He is the worship director at Beartown Road Alliance Church (BRAC), a car enthusiast, and shreds on the electric guitar. In late 2020 Aaron started attending BRAC and met Bryson. They got to know each other while working together at church. Even though they can often be found serving together on Sundays and Wednesdays they have avoided getting in too much trouble (so far). Bryson's joy in serving others has been an inspiration to Aaron. Aaron is thankful for the meals, laughter, and jokes they have shared together.
Tim Powers
Groomsman
Tim Powers lives in Hammondsport, NY with his wife and two girls. He is a morning radio host for Family Life Network and definitely not a coffee addict. Aaron first started picking on Tim in 2019 when they worked at Family Life together. Tim's good wit and friendly banter made him an instant friend. Although they find it hard to spend a lot of time together, Aaron is grateful for the many lunches and conversations they have had over the last couple of years as well as, the encouragement, prayer, and effort that Tim has put into maintaining their friendship.
Mattias King
Groomsman
Mattias lives in Kennett Square, PA when he is not attending college at Penn State. He is an amazing engineer, creator, and Spikeball player. Some day he is going to take over Space X and be the first man to build a rocket that survives a trip through a black hole. Aaron and Mattias were Co-counselors at Moose River Outpost in 2022. Mattias quickly became like a younger brother to Aaron as they survived counseling 12, 11-12 year olds together. Aaron and Mattias bonded through knife making, story telling, and sleep walking campers who scared them at night. Mattias' joy, love of the outdoors, and genuine personality has been an encouragement to Aaron over the last couple of years.
Judah Coe
Jr. Groomsman
Judah lives in Bath, NY with his parents and siblings. Judah is a student by day and an actor by night. Aaron met the Coe family in 2019 and they became like a second family to him, as he adjusted to living on his own. They invited him to pool parties, birthday parties, hikes, dinners, and many other adventures. Through all this Judah was like a little brother to Aaron. Aaron is thankful for Judah's empathy for others, sense of humor, and the way he welcomed Aaron in as if he were a part of the family.
Roman Coe
Jr. Groomsman
Roman is the brother of Judah and also lives in Bath, NY. Roman is a student by day and a goofball 24/7. Aaron also got to know Roman through the welcoming nature of the Coe family. Roman's caring heart and sense of humor lights up any room that he is in. Aaron is thankful for the laughter, love, and exercise that Roman has given him over the years.
Valerie Rakerd
Maid of Honor
Valerie lives in New Cumberland, PA. She is currently getting her masters degree at Messiah University in occupational therapy. She graduated with her undergrad degree in exercise science in May 2024. Valerie has been Melanie's best friend since birth. As her 2 years younger sister, she was Melanie's baby doll turned playmate turned most reliable and loyal friend as they grew up together. Valerie continues to be a person Melanie knows she can always turn to for a good laugh, a listening ear, and a loving presence. Valerie is not only the best sister anyone could ever ask for, but also the best friend Melanie could ever hope for.
Abby Huebner
Bridesmaid
Abby lives in Harrisburg, PA where she works as a nurse. Abby and Melanie met early on in nursing school, but really became strong friends through attending church together. They started volunteering in the church nursery together, and in following years became roommates. They even lived together for a year after graduation before Melanie moved to NY. Abby has been a rock for Melanie since their first year of college, and continues to be one of Melanie's best friends. They have many priceless memories together, too numerous to sum up in a short summary. Suffice it to say, Abby has been, and continues to be a treasured friend. She is a reliable, funny, gentle and loving person anyone would be fortunate to know.
Mallory Ranck
Bridesmaid
Mallory lives in Carlisle PA where she works as a clerical assistant for the Pennsylvania Parole Board. Mallory and Melanie became fast friends through working at Moose River Outpost camp during the summer of 2024. God definitely brought them together and created a strong friendship formed on the foundation of their faith in Jesus, and their common goal of helping teens take their next steps toward Jesus. Over the summer, Mallory was a friend Melanie could always count on, but most importantly a friend who helped her grow in her faith. They shared so many special experiences, laughs and conversations throughout the summer, and formed a priceless friendship with each other.
Kaylee Eckert
Bridesmaid
Kaylee lives in Friendsville, PA and works as a clinical specialist at Visionworks. Kaylee and Melanie knew each other throughout college through mutual friends, but really formed a strong friendship during their senior years of college when they were roommates. Melanie is so grateful for Kaylee and her friendship that continues to remain steadfast even beyond college. Kaylee is the kind of person anyone would be lucky to call a friend. She is loyal, always down for a new adventure, funny, generous, and full of love. Melanie and Kaylee have had so much fun together, but she's also someone Melanie knows will be there through the good and bad. Kaylee is the definition of what a true friend looks like.
Becca Ward
Bridesmaid
Becca lives in Frederick MD and works as a cardiac nurse. Becca was one of Melanie's first friends at college. They literally met in the hallway waiting on a chemistry lab to start, where Becca asked Melanie to be her lab partner. Lab partners quickly grew to friendship which grew to roommates the following year! Becca and Melanie shared so many fun times, study buddy hours, and deep conversations together. Becca was always a strong friend Melanie could rely on to be with her through the thick and thin, and continues to encourage Melanie through her relentless love, joy, and faith in Jesus. Becca is the kind of person that lights up a room as soon as she enters, and anyone would be lucky to consider her their friend.
Lydia Naughton
Junior Bridesmaid
Lydia is Aaron's current, and Melanie's future niece. Melanie and Lydia have shared fun times playing games, having sleepovers, doing hair, and just hanging out at various family events over the last few years. She is a fun, loving, and sweet girl, and Melanie looks forward to gaining her as family.