Nathan & Babs
Wedding Party
Iman Bolden
Maid of Honor
I met Iman my freshman year of college and we've been pretty inseparable since-- so inseparable that people have called us each other's names for years (I've even called Iman "Babs" by accident) and always assumed we were roommates even though we've never lived with each other. Iman is one of the most intentional people I've ever met. Iman is loyal & funny & adventurous & brave. We have both seen each other to the other side of some pretty tough situations & I'm extremely grateful for our friendship. There is no one else who I would rather have standing right beside me on my wedding day. If anyone can handle being the best Maid of Honor ever, it is this girl right here.
Christopher Hoffman
Best Man
Muh older broooo!! I have looked up to Christopher since I was born. Throughout childhood I was fine with him stealing my pacifier, piling books on my face to wake me up, and sitting on me when I was learning how to walk... all I wanted was to spend time with him and get some attention! Although high school was a harder time for our relationship, when we went on a cross-country road trip I was reminded me of how much I looked up to my brother. Ever since then we've made efforts to become friends with each other's friends, we've experienced new hobbies together (rock climbing/mtb/etc), and we've continued to challenge each other with books to read, life lessons to learn, and truths to believe. Grateful Christopher isn't just a brother, he's a good friend.
Kaylee Hilton
Bridesmaid
Kaylee & I started to become good friends our junior year of college. Kaylee & I share a love for sports, competition and endless hangs with people so we fell into step with each other pretty easily. We played intramural sports together at USC, partnered in ministry together, confided in each other, prayed for each other, encouraged each other and she is a person I know I can call if I need something (or if I'm locked out of my apartment and need lunch, ya know). Kaylee is a loyal and consistent friend and I have learned a lot about loving others from watching her do it well. I am blessed to have her standing by my side on July 25th.
David Habbick
Groomsman
"If we keep hanging out, you'll be my best friend" David said to me freshman year. Shortly after, we ran through a field throwing colored powder at strangers for a Holi festival & then talked in my room about Reformed theology for hours. While at the time I didn't believe what he said about us becoming best friends, he proved me wrong. David's loyal friendship, desire to go beyond shallow conversation and willingness to seek me out year after year taught me how to be a better friend. We've had plenty of fun along the way: adventures at Great Falls, snapchat fame with Dorito chicken, frisbee champs, HIS WEDDING, the daycare... good times. With names like David and Nathan one could say our friendship was inevitable, but we both know the work and commitment it takes for iron to sharpen iron.
Chelsea Habbick
Bridesmaid
Chelsea came into my life my senior year of college. For a while that year, Chelsea and I were going to the gym together every single day doing workouts that her now husband created for us and when you work that hard with a person, a great friendship is pretty inevitable. Chelsea has been a shoulder for me to cry on and such a huge supporter of the things I do in my life. We like to joke about how I'm such an extreme extrovert and Chelsea is not, but in all reality we balance each other out in some beautiful ways. One of my favorite things about our friendship is when we laugh so hard we both end up on the floor. It's bound to happen every time we're together. I wouldn't have Chelsea standing anywhere else than right beside me on mine and Nathan's big day!
Cyrus Vakili Rad
Groomsman
Pro tip: best way to become good friends with someone is to try and start a business with them. Cyrus and I spent two years endeavoring to start Columbia, SC's first climbing gym and while it didn't end up like we wanted at least I got a "life partner" out of it all! Whether it's rock climbing with some crazy run-outs, training for a one-arm pull-up competition, eating really cheap meals at each other's houses, asking people really random questions, or just bringing together the randomest assortments of people, Cyrus is the person I'd want to do it with. So many adventures in the books already like the one time we arrived at our campsite at 5am and started a 20 mile hike 3 hours later.... or when we drove 30 hours across the country. I really think we could make anything fun & enjoyable.
Nancy Farag
Bridesmaid
I met Nancy my freshman year of college and, man oh man, what an experience that was and what a beautiful friendship that year has flourished into. Nancy was my small group leader that year and was one of the first women in my life to show me what it looks like to be intentional in discipling and loving others with the love of Christ. Since then, Nancy has showed me what an intentional friendship is as I've watched her love me & so many others in her life so consistently. Nancy is a natural- born leader and encourager and I am beyond blessed to have her in my corner. To know Nancy is to learn from and be challenged by Nancy. I would not be the woman I am today without her friendship. I'm so excited to be encouraged and loved by her on our wedding day!
Stephen Henderson
Groomsman
My friendship with Stephen has taken on many different looks: from co-workers to climbing partners to roommates and finally to good friends. Stephen taught me a lot of what I know about rock climbing and has proven himself to me as someone I can trust... and not just when I'm hanging off the side of a rock face. UGH this one time Stephen called me to his room to show me something and then put these headphones on my head and played a recording he'd made of one of my favorite piano songs of all time and I cried. We share an appreciation of well-crafted things: music, books, games, etc. I guess there's something about quality things that is attractive to perfectionists like us. I'm grateful for a fellow perfectionist who has been diligent to remind me again and again of my need for grace.
Hannah Hickman
Bridesmaid
I met Hannah my freshman year of college. We were both in Nancy's small group and lived in the same dorm. Hannah and I have pretty different personalities and I would say we've been able to learn from each other in some beautiful ways over the years. Hannah's love for Jesus and her confidence in leadership and in her discipleship of others has convicted me and encouraged me consistently throughout the years we've been friends. We didn't get to live in the same city for very long, but Hannah is the type of friend you know you can call for godly wisdom at any time. She has been an ear to hear me and a mouth to speak wisdom to me several times even from a distance. Hannah is wise & bold & confident & I am honored to have her by my side.
Charlie Guenther
Groomsman
"CHARLIE!" *said in that British accent* We met freshman year: we swam together, were in small group at Shandon together, decided to live together with two random roommates (where we almost died...), and then senior year we lived together again at THE DAYCARE. Charlie has helped me learn some hard lessons: how to do my dishes regularly, how to pick up after myself, how to not bulldoze introverts with my personality.... he even introduced me to my LEAST fav video on the internet: Ol Greg. I once told Charlie that I felt like no one at college made fun of me and ever since then he hasn't stopped meeting that need in my life. Charlie has deepened my understanding of scripture, showed me what being faithful truly looks like, and consistently challenged me and I am a better man because of it.
Amanda Hawkins
Bridesmaid
Amanda was a mentor for Iman, Hannah and I for about a year a half our last couple years of college. She opened her home to us and allowed us to vent & cry & ask questions & she was essential in discipling me during that time. Amanda & I do not have very similar personalities & that has worked so beautifully over the years that we've been friends. Amanda has been a friend I can laugh with, cry with, be encouraged by & her boldness to speak truth when it's needed has made a significant impact in my life. Amanda knows what it is to be intentional in discipling girls & I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to see the fruit of that in my own life. She has loved me well throughout the years & I am so grateful that there is more to come & that she is standing by me on July 25th!
Garrison Weiner
Groomsman
"suhh dude" Garrison is the kind of person who you sit in front of and before you know it you're telling him all the things you've never told anyone else... He was also voted "best hair" by the house every year he lived there so you could say he's well rounded. Speaking of well-rounded, Garrison makes the world's greatest grilled chicken, recommends some of the best books, is strong enough to break any lights with two brooms taped together. One of the things that Garrison taught me through his life was that vulnerability isn't weakness. Garrison balances this truth well with the way he leads, disciples and counsels the people around him. I was able to see first-hand that this honesty he had about himself revealed a more deeply-rooted strength and confidence in Christ.
Maddy Smith
Bridesmaid
I met Maddy my first year of teaching at our new teacher orientation. She was the new theater teacher at Crayton Middle and I was the new PE teacher. I immediately knew I wanted to be Maddy's friend just from seeing how welcoming and friendly she was to everyone that day. Maddy and I bonded pretty quickly, as we became go- to people for each other in the crazy world of teaching middle schoolers. We play music together, sing together, play sports together, workout together & share life with each other. Maddy has a beautiful talent for inviting people into her life and creating a safe space for them & I am grateful that I have been able to know and & enjoy her friendship! Maddy is consistent and loyal & I wouldn't have her anywhere else than by my side on mine & Nathan's wedding day.
Stephen Simmons
Groomsman
Stephen Simmons is the single greatest blessing the Barwick Babes have ever received. The way he serves and cares for people is infectious: from doing dishes, to making his famous peanut butter cookies; from decorating the house to replacing the soap in MY bathroom. He's set a model for me of how to better care and serve the people around me. At this point I think Stephen has shared more meals with Babs and I than any other person and we love that. He's made it a point to be involved in my life and in my relationship with Babs and I've appreciated having someone I live with holding me accountable and helping create a great home for me to invite Babs into. BEYOND ALL THIS: Stephen is so witty and funny that he's able to literally make ANYONE laugh. Its both a gift and a well-honed skill.
Brooklyn Adkins
Bridesmaid
Brooklyn & I grew up going to church together & have been friends since we were very young. From singing "Jesus Take the Wheel" on stage at church, to hiking, to dying our hair with Kool- Aid, to playing volleyball, to beach trips, to being camp counselors together, to praying with & for each other, to living together, to crying with each other, Brooklyn has been a beautiful constant in my life. She encourages me & cheers for me like no one else & has been a source of truth & spontaneous adventure for years. It has been a gift that Brooklyn & I have both been able to watch each other grow & fail & mature over the years & it is truly amazing to see our friendship surive the test of time! Nathan & I have already felt so celebrated by Brooklyn & I can't wait to continue the party July 25th!!
Gabe Thompson
Groomsman
It's hard to say Gabe's name without yelling. It's even harder for me to interact with him without trying to match his energy. And hardest of all is trying to act as if it doesn't make me feel appreciated when he interrupts me over in my corner of the house when I work from home. Gabe is wild and he brings out the fun and joy in everyone around him, but he's more than just energy. He is intentional and he cares. Gabe has taught me a lot about persistence. He has consistently sought me out, poked me, wrestled me, yelled "WHAT" across the house, and asked me questions. His persistent questions aren't always answered, but I've trusted him with truths about my life over the years because Gabe truly does care. Grateful for mems like hiking in the rain and throwing chairs in the front yard.
Mayra (Salsa) Garcia
Bridesmaid
I met Salsa my sophomore year of college when we were both huddle leaders at an FCA retreat. To know Salsa is to be deeply loved & encouraged by Salsa. Before I ever reciprocated her efforts, Salsa would call me randomly just to ask me how I'm doing & to pray for me. There are few people as intentional in loving others as she is. Salsa & I have prayed for each other, encouraged each other, cried together, created endless inside jokes & just been absolutely ridiculous together. There is no one that brings out my goofy side better than this girl. When we were roommates, it was not uncommon for us to just make beats on anything we could find & next thing you know it's an all out dance party! From the day I met her, I have been blessed by Salsa & I am honored to have her by my side.
Austin Barber
Groomsman
Austin and I used to have a class together and afterwards on the way to lunch Austin would start looking at trees and wander around at his own pace following his own path. He's a wanderer. And at times we've wandered together: we've kayaked overnight through the Congaree with Zack and Kenneth, walked the side streets of Jerusalem, ridden buses, boats, and bikes in Guatemala and jumped off cliffs into Lago Atitlan, and gotten lost backpacking the upstate of North Carolina. Austin shares a love for different cultures, for the middle east, for desiring to help people. His thoughts, questions, and decisions over the years have challenged me to live in a manner worthy of the calling I have received. His friendship is something that has and will continue to cross borders and cultures and years.
Caroline Lumetta
Bridesmaid
Caroline & I have been friends since we were 8 years old. It has been such a gift to have a friend like Caroline walk by my side through so many different phases of life. From going to church camp together, to making tie- dyed shirts, to endless sleepovers, to making goofy music videos, to essentially becoming part of each other's families it has been a blessing to see each other change & grow over the years of our friendship. Caroline has been there for me when no one else was & I have been the same for her. There are few people who are as faithful & loyal in friendship as Caroline. She cares for her people & she does it well. I am so grateful to have had her by my side through so many seasons & especially as Nathan & I enter into this new one!
David Wolfer
Groomsman
At first Wolfer and I were fierce competitors: forced to guard each other whenever our teams played Ultimate because we were the only two people who could keep up with the other's energy. From there, our friendship grew over casual 8 mile Sunday runs, 20+ mile bike rides, evening walks on the roofs of Columbia, and anything adventurous around town. One time we were bored on Valentines day (pre-Babs) and we rode a tandem bicycle around Columbia screaming "HAPPY VALENTINES DAY" and giving donuts to strangers. Wolfer has an intensity that I've grown to be grateful for. As a person who's typically asking the questions, I'm grateful for his persistence to ask me the hard questions and listen to my answers. After all those years as competitors it feels good be on the same team!
Anna Hoffman
Bridesmaid
Anna is Nathan's oldest sister. I have not known Anna for long, but just in the short time that I have, I have been able to see & be blessed by her beautiful spirit. In my visits with Nathan's family, Anna has always been very intentional with making me feel welcome & trying to get to know me & creating a safe space for me. Nathan speaks very highly of Anna as well and I have only seen his compliments about her confirmed in the time I've known her. Anna has already been so encouraging during engagement & I'm so excited to get to celebrate with her as I become a part of her family!
Cathleen Hoffman
Bridesmaid
Cathleen is Nathan's youngest sister. I also have not known her for very long, but have had the opportunity to see things about her that are truly beautiful. I've seen that Cathleen is a constant friend for many & she is loved by so many. In times I've spent with Nathan's family, I have seen an amazing energy that Cathleen brings to their family dynamic. Cathleen is funny & confident & loves her family well. Nathan has told me lots of stories of how close him & Cathleen were growing up & how much fun they have had together! I am so grateful for the way she has invited into being a new addition to her family & can't wait to celebrate together on July 25th!