Wedding Party
Yogi
Best Dog
After a lot of begging on my end, Michael and I decided to get a dog. Even the days leading up to picking up Yogi, I kept thinking in the back of my head that Michael was going to change his mind. I came to Michael's after being gone for a week and Michael had a 'surprise' for me. He had went out and bought a dog bed, dog food, dog toys, and treats. I knew then that we were about to become dog parents. I told Michael that we would pick whatever puppy came to us first, and here came a little guy trotting along, darker than all the others, wearing a tiny green collar, our Yogi boy. It was like two hands clasping, I was absolutely sure that we were meant to find him. There are two things I know for sure in my life: Yogi and Michael are two of the best decisions I've ever made
Lauryn Haggard
Maid of Honor
I could fill libraries of books about how amazing Lauryn Haggard is. We have been soul sisters from the moment we became friends when we were 5 and 6-years old. There is one quote that sums up our friendship: "You only find a once in a lifetime friend once in a lifetime." She has filled my life with laughter and adventures, and is the best freaking mom on the planet! She has been with me through ever life season and has loved me unconditionally through it all. Lauryn Haggard is truly one of my greatest blessings, and has been someone who has made my life consistently amazing. You make me laugh harder than anyone else and I never feel like I have to be anyone else but myself, and that is so beautiful and comforting to me. I would not be half of the person I am today without her.
McKenzie Kirby
Sister of the Bride
My sister is one of the most generous & caring individuals you'll ever meet, hands down. She'll also rip you a new one if you look at her wrong. There's a very fine line between what my sister will tolerate, & I teeter that line on a daily basis. Mckenzie really set me up for failure in life since she inherited all of the cooking & cleaning genes, as well as the common manners that apparently skipped over me. She's one of those people that remind you that you can't out-give God. Almost every day, my sister is serving others, whether that be cooking a meal for someone or buying necessities for someone in need. Through our differences, she inspires me to be a better person & Christian. We also share a mutual love for torturing my parents, & I think that is where our bond is unbreakable.
Gabrielle Criswell
Bridesmaid
God went above and beyond when He gave me, and the world, Gabrielle Hope. Have you ever met someone who is good at so many things and think that they might be a secret genius? This is how I feel about Gabby. She's really good at the important things like being an amazing friend, wife and Christian. But then she's gotta go above and beyond and be good at everything else that I wish I was good at like doing hair, writing on chalkboards, singing, plucking eyebrows, decorating cakes, remembering every detail of life, and being brave. Gabby is a true friend, a confidant, and my go-to person when I need to get something done. Some of my greatest moments are with her and I know some of my greatest future adventures will be with her, too. I hit the jackpot with, Gabby.
Morgan Morris
Bridesmaid
There is no one like Morgan Morris. It's funny how you go through life, make new friends, lose friends, & everything in between, and you somehow make it back to a childhood friendship that has always remained foundational in your life. We have both been through many life phases and even though there were times in our lives where we weren't "close", we always, always, always made it back to each other eventually. It's incredible to think about how God orchestrates the exact people you need in your life at the precise time, and I see the hand of God when I look at Morgan & I's friendship. Right before Morgan found out she was pregnant, her & I had been talking and hanging out 24/7 a couple of months before that. She text me the night she found out she was pregnant, & the rest is history.
Janae Thatch
Bridesmaid
If you look at the other incredible women in my bridal party, you'll see that they have all been 15+ year friendships. But not Janae, she's different. We've been friends for a very short amount of time, and the fact that she is in my wedding party should tell you the kind of person and friend she is. If you looked up 'Giver' in the dictionary, I'm pretty positive that Janae's picture would come up. She is THE MOST selfless, hard-working, hilarious, talented, giving, thoughtful, beautiful on the inside/out person ever! She is always looking for ways to serve other people, and she does it with the purest, most joyful heart. There's truly no one else like her. The world is so much brighter just because she's in it. She also is the best because she almost always says YES to my shenanigans.
Marck Harless
Best Man
Marck is my brother and lifelong friend. We have competed against and with each other in sports our entire lives and I couldn't be more proud to call him my brother and best man. I would not be nearly the person I am today without him. Growing up Marck was always a little taller, a little bigger, and a little better at many of the sports we would play one-on-one at. It drove me crazy as the younger brother, but Marck also is the reason I am capable of many of the things I am capable of today. I am so grateful that I have a brother like him who shares almost all of the same interests in sports, games, hobbies and has an equally calm demeanor. Thank you Marck for always being there for me.
Kyle Wilson
Groomsman
Kyle has been one of my best friends going on 20 years. Friendship with Kyle is easy as we share so many of the same interests. Even though his taste in sports teams is usually subpar he is still someone I always look forward to hanging out with. I have never told him this, but Kyle is an answer to a prayer. Several years ago I was really in need of some new buddies to hang out with and I remember praying to God one evening asking him to put more friends in my life that I could hang out with. It literally wasn't two weeks later that Kyle and I were reacquainted. Kyle along with Allie, David, Brad, Jensen, Tyler, and Matt are some of the best guys I know.
Spencer Kirby
Groomsman
Spencer was the first Kirby I considered a best friend. He is as loyal as they come. Some of the best and funniest memories in my life have come with Spencer. He is someone that I have always admired ever since we met when I was 16. I saw this guy go through cancer treatments without complaining even as a teenager when it would have been so easy to feel sorry for yourself. Spencer is a lot of things that I am not and has skills that I definitely wish I had and for that I have always admired him. Even though Spencer is literally the scariest driver I have ever ridden with he is still one of the best guys I know and someone I consider honored to call a future brother in law.
Brett Estes
Groomsman
Brett is my second longest standing friend aside from my brother and someone I always enjoy spending time with. We have played softball and sports in general together for over 20 years (dang we are old). Brett has made some of the most unbelievable plays in softball over the years I can remember while also making me get more gray hair with his aggressive base running tactics (lol).Brett has brought a lot of joy to my life through his laid back attitude and general demeanor. We both love the Reds, The Office, and McAlister's. That is a winner in my book.
Kirk VanOoteghem
Groomsman
I got to know Kirk when I first started college at Ball State as he was my boss and shortly thereafter my mentor. I credit Kirk for much of the success professionally I have had in my work life as we had countless conversations about the benefits of getting a Masters Degree among other things. Kirk has always been someone that I lean on for advice and knowledge (and he is always willing to share long winded answers! lol). Truthfully if it were not for Kirk I would likely not have my MBA and the career that I have today. Over the years Kirk has become one of my best friends as we share many common interests including Notre Dame Football, running, general sarcastic humor, and now weight lifting. I am so thankful that this man is someone I can call a friend.