Shelby & Eric
Wedding Party
Kacey Dijulio
Maid of Honor
Kacey has been my best friend since 1st grade and has been by my side ever since, even when we are thousands of miles apart. I would often beg to go to Kacey's house after school to play with her dog and watch Sponge Bob. Kacey and I were so close that she often tried to use me as an excuse for her actions, "but mom, Shelby says fish is gross". While I am an only child Kacey is like a sister I got to pick! We are very much a part of the other's family and it was always assumed that Kacey would be my Maid of Honor.
Christian Schnieders
Best Man
Christian is my brother and best man. We shared a room for 10 plus years growing up so needless to say we got to know each other quite well. We both developed a strong appreciation for music growing up and even had our own Beatles cover band called "The Panting Dogs". Although we don't see each other as often now that we live in separate towns we still have a great time when we can get together and hang out. It helps that Shelby and he become close friends quickly and have a surprisingly similar sense of humor.
Chloe Westgate
Bridesmaid
Chloe has been my friend since high school when we both went to Bellevue College for our junior and senior year. Chloe brings out my spontaneous side and I cherish her for that. There are so many memories that we made in those two years from going to pancake corral, wearing Mustaches around town, or making bags of things to give the homeless in Seattle. Our most referenced memory has to be when we bought McDonald's and put fries on top of the sunroof to watch the seagulls fight over them. Above all the laughs though, Chloe is real and honest with me; I can count on her to know exactly what to say in tough times.
Jake Lindauer
Groomsman
Jake and I have been friends since grade school. We have so many great memories of bonfires, camp-outs, and hot-tubing with Kelsey and Sarah, also in the Groom's party. We've kept up our friendship throughout the years going to various concerts, and festivals as well as hanging out and reliving our "glory days" of growing up in small town Iowa.
Hannah Johnson
Bridesmaid
I met Hannah when we both student taught in the same small school in Oregon. We carpooled together for a whole year and then both got our first job in the same school district, which we both taught in for two years. Carpooling tells you a lot about a person- how timely they are, food's role in their life, and how they process life. While it might have been more convenient to not be placed in a school 45 minutes from campus, I would not trade it for anything! Hannah taught me to be flexible and patient with time. She taught me that all food can be eaten in the car (and it's even better when shared). She also taught me how to process all the ups and downs of life and teaching openly and with God in the center. Hannah is the crazy adventurer that I hope to be someday.
Sarah Reiss
Groomswoman
Sarah and I have known each other since grade school. I snuck into her friend group in high school, which also included Kelsey and Jake, and we quickly became friends. We both share a passion for alternative music and, dare I say it, consider ourselves "hipsters". One of my greatest memories with her is seeing Small Pools and X-ambassadors in the great hall at ISU. We continue to hang out as often as we can and our friendship never seems to miss a beat.
Alyssa Shyrock
Bridesmaid
I have been friends with Alyssa since I met her at new hire training and then again at Foothills church in Stayton Oregon. It did not take long for Alyssa and I to do everything together; since moving away I miss being able call her up and head into Salem to eat tater tots. Alyssa is the stable to my crazy. She is the voice of reason when I am all over the place. But she is also very supportive and an amazing cheerleader for others- like when my crazy talk to build my own tiny house became reality Alyssa was there for me and encouraging me the whole time.
Kelsey Meyer
Groomswoman
Kelsey and I have known each other since grade school. She was also apart of the friend group I snuck into in high school. I'm not only friends with Kelsey but also her couch Oliver. Our friend group spent a lot of time in her basement all sitting on Oliver watching movie after movie (this was before Netflix). She also had a hot tub we would go in year round. Often times our hair would freeze as we sat in it during December and January. We remain in close contact and hang out as much as we can. She's been able to make it over a couple of times now for Hawkeye football games.
Julie Heater
Bridesmaid
Julie, Eric, and I all met at Camp Courageous the summer of 2016. Julie was there at the very start of our relationship and now is our roommate in Iowa City. Without Julie, there probably would not be a Shelby and Eric. In an attempt to make new friends I reached out to Julie before camp to see if we could be roommates, I was too late. But when we got to camp she let me follow her and we made plans for after work together. That's when Julie remembered working with Eric, who seemed like a cool guy, and she then invited him to hang out with us for everything. Julie is a wonderful to human who would do anything for her friends.
Kevin Draeger
Groomsman
Kevin and I met on the honors floor Harwood at Iowa State University during our first year there. We quickly became good friends and had a blast participating in all kinds of intramural sports together as well as complaining about the lack of AC in our 100 year old dorm. We ended up being roommates during our third and fourth years at Iowa State and had a blast. My favorite memory is when we played in the "D-league" for intramural hockey. We made it all the way to the championship game in our first attempt. His grandpa also came to all the games driving from Minnesota and was by far our loudest fan.