Katherine & Matthew
Our Wedding Party
Rebecca Goeller
Maid of Honor
For those who are not aware, I am Kat(i)e’s one and only super amazing sister. While her hobby growing up consisted of numerous forms of torture for me (for example, convincing me at 5 years old that thunderstorms always turned into tornados and at 8 years old that I really was adopted), she somehow turned out to be a pretty great sister and person, someone I am glad to be stuck with as family. As Grandma always said, we have to like each other, you’re the only sister I have. Since you were going to post that horrible picture if I didn’t write this, I guess I can pretend that Grandma was right. I am truly happy you found Matt, who makes you extremely happy. Matt, I'm sorry that you're now stuck with calls from her thinking you’re dead every time you don’t answer the phone. I love you both!
Sarah Hodges
Wedding Party
As her first cousin, I've been lucky enough to know Katie her whole life :) Over the years we've had lots of adventures, from hiding from bats in a Lake George cabin, a surprise visit to a cat rescue which resulted in adopting a kitten in Pensacola, sleep-overs in Annapolis and countless antics in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. I only met Matt recently, but I could not be happier for them both and the life they are building together.
Rebecca Herman
Best Woman
It took me about 20 years to realize three very important things about my brother, Matt. 1) He does in fact care about what I do, wants to hear about me, and might even get a little upset if I haven’t updated him on a major life event. 2) He apparently cares about my opinion of him. If you haven’t noticed he now owns and wears dark wash jeans. You’re welcome. 3) Sometimes my punches do actually hurt. In other words I figured out that Matt is human like the rest of us, and I consider myself pretty lucky to have him as a brother. I’m so excited to celebrate adding Kate to the family!
Lilly Herman
Best Woman
As Matt’s baby sister there are many priceless stories with him. One I will never forget is him reading Naked. I was minding my own business when Matt was home during a college break and I heard him call to me. He walked to my door and said, “Don’t come into my room. I’m going to be reading Naked.” This left me speechless. All I could say was, “Excuse me?” He said it again. I yelled at him that he was gross and to leave. I couldn’t believe this was actually happening. He left, leaving me alone. After a little time, Matt yelled to me, “Lilly I’m walking out with Naked.” I jumped off my bed running to shut the door, but before I could get there Matt was standing in my doorway holding the book Naked. Congratulations Matt and Kate, I hope you have many more of these stories of your own!
Jennie Stitzinger
Wedding Party
I've known Kate for a long time, back when she was still Katie ;-). Now our friendship is 17 years strong! We met in Mrs. Ambrosini's 7th grade English class and our awkward 7th grade selves bonded immediately. We spent our middle school years being inseparable. From swimming in Katie's backyard pool, to cooking together, becoming part of each other's families, breaking some rules, and loving every minute of every memory we made. When we both ended up a Penn State years later our friendship rekindled and it was like it never skipped a beat because we already knew everything about each other. We became stronger than ever overnight. It is Katie's empathetic and genuine heart, positivity, encouragement, and love for life that has made her one of my most dear and true friends.
Doug Eickman
Wedding Party
It was my first evening away at college, while folks from the first floor of my new dorm were hanging out in the hallway, slowly breaking the ice, when a loud kid named Matt declared, "Yeah, I don't shower very much," that I distinctly remember thinking, "I think I'll avoid this guy for the next four years." First impressions can be misleading. I proceeded to spend most of my time at Amherst with Matt: I roomed with him twice, spent hours playing intramural sports with him, repeatedly beat him in Monopoly, and generally developed one of my deepest friendships. A few years later, I was delighted to meet Kate on a visit to State College, and it's been wonderful to see someone who shares Matt’s kindness, his easy-going manner, and who loves him even though he talks about rocks all day.
Lark Irwin
Wedding Party
I first met Katie when we were living in the same town we grew up in, and embarking on the early stages of plotting our conquests of a life of authenticity, delight, and nerve. Recognizing in one another a shared appreciation for the joy of Poehler-Fey shenanigans, the catharsis of publicly weeping at Pixar movies, and the love and the ferocity of the female spirit, we’ve been bonded in friendship ever since. There simply aren’t words to describe the pride and excitement I feel for her as she steps into this exhilarating new era with Matt, who I am so grateful for – for he is a man who not only knows how good he’s got it with her, but that’s also how he treats, honors, and clearly adores my dear amazing friend, Katie. I love you both!
Jack Grein
Wedding Party
I met Matt during our first class at college: Psychoanalysis and the Law. In hindsight, the class was a perfect choice for me as I went on to pursue both psychology and law. But to this day, I have no idea why our favorite geophysicist took the course, though I'm glad he did because it was the start of a great friendship! When we weren't studying, we spent our time hanging out, playing games--my favorite is charades, ask Matt to act out "blueschist"--and laughing at my jokes. Sometimes we would laugh at Matt's jokes too. I jest, Matt is hilarious. He even taught me how to play sarcasm. In all seriousness, Matt is a great friend and I cherish the time we spend together, whether it's talking about big ideas or goofing around. I can't wait to help Matt and Kate celebrate their special day!
Camille Deane
Wedding Party
My name is Camille. I met Matt first through my now husband TJ. TJ and Matt worked in the same science building at Penn State University. I would visit every few weeks and the science people would hang out, usually at Zeno’s bar. After 2 years of back and forth visits, I decided to join TJ at Penn State and get my masters in Early Childhood Special Education. As you can guess, I met the lovely Kate through the program. We became good friends fast. We constantly hung out, cooked together, and gossiped every chance we got. I introduced her to the science people one night out. In that group was our dear Matt. They started talking and the rest is the story you have seen them write together. I am so lucky to know the two of them. Cheers to these amazing two! Love you Kate and Matt!
TJ Deane
Wedding Party
Matt and I met during our first year of graduate school at Penn State. It turns out there weren’t too many grad students in the department who preferred to spend their whole lives eating, doing science, and watching sports. Matt and I struck up a bond, mostly because he’s loud and hard to ignore. Before there was Kate, Matt used to cook me dinner almost every night, which is probably why we became such good friends. When my girlfriend-turned fiancé-turned wife, Camille, moved to State College she began a graduate program in Special Education where she and Kate became friends. We kept her away from Matt as long as possible, but one night we all happened to hang out together. Somehow Matt was able to spend most of the night talking to Kate without scaring her away, and a match was made!
Rosie Oakes
Wedding Party
Matt and I met at Penn State where he annoyed me with ‘hilarious’ Geodynamics e-mails, and I wowed him with facts about plankton (he loves it). We became friends, putting the department/science/world to rights over tea (me) and yoghurt (Matt) in mornings or over massive beers at Champs (N.B. I can't drink as many as Matt though I tried…every week)! I met the lovely Kate through Matt and we soon became friends. We’ve shared stories about the good, the bad, and the ugly of long-distance relationships, the ridiculousness of living with a boy (they eat so much), and swapped tales about living in a foreign country. If our adventures in Utrecht are anything to go by, your wedding is going to be full of laughter, wine, and bicycles. I can’t wait to help you celebrate becoming Dr. and Mrs. Herman!
Paul Grieve
Wedding Party
I'm not 100% positive when Matthew first became enthralled by my presence. It may have been during basketball games we played with TJ where Matthew was entranced my unorthodox shots and witty smack talk. Our relationship came to fruition when I moved in with him. It was there that Kate entered our lives and we became a family of three. In their eagerness to impress, Matthew and Kate would cook outstanding meals daily and always have a plate for me. I knew during those candle-lit dinners, glasses of wine, and romantic movies, that what they need most was for me not to leave them alone, and so I didn’t. As the saying goes, a tricycle is only as strong as its third wheel. I guess what I'm trying to say is, none of this would have been possible without me. You’re welcome. Happy Wedding!
Luna Brkljac
Wedding Party
Three years ago, Kate and I were privileged to be on a Founding Team of a charter high school. While we immediately connected through our mission and passion towards education, our friendship quickly nourished and grew to a sisterhood bond. She is the most supportive, loving and kind person I know! I got to meet and spend time with Matt during his visits to Denver. I was very impressed by the couple’s skillset in the kitchen - they truly compliment each other. I am so lucky to know both of these amazing people and be a part of their celebration! Cheers to Matt & Kate!
Tim Murray
Wedding Party
On a field trip to MA early in grad school, I was sitting at dinner wondering which of these crazy geoscientists I would become good friends with when Matt asked if I was going to finish the other half of my steak. He'd already had two steaks himself, several sides, and was talking about cake. Over the next few years we'd share many things, including a house, and make memories playing basketball, hiking, camping, watching sports, and sitting around a fire arguing about science. I think one of the most important memories is a bit more innocuous. We were hanging out, not doing anything important, when Camille mentioned she had a friend named Kate she'd like Matt to meet. Just a few days later Matt had met his future wife, and I had met someone that I would come to consider a dear friend.
Nancy Vargas
Wedding Party
The first time that I met Nancy, she told me that I needed to take a nap. We were new co-workers, and I thought that it was extremely rude of her to suggest such a thing after barely knowing me. Besides, she was the one asking me 500 questions! No wonder I was so exhausted. Little did I know that day that she would become one of the people that I most admire professionally, and became one of my best friends in Denver outside of work. Nancy is someone that is passionate, and loyal, and does her best every single day. She is one of the most fun, funniest, and kindest people that I've ever known. I'm honored that Nancy will be in our wedding party!
Jake Semple
Wedding Party
Katie and I have known each other since 11th grade, and have been good friends ever since. We met at Peace Valley Park spending the day with mutual friends, and would hang out through the rest of high school. After graduation, we kept in contact, helping each other through tough times and hanging out during breaks here and there. After I got out of the military, Katie and I were housemates at Penn State and she helped me acclimate to life in college. Having been at State for the same period of time, I can say I've had the pleasure of knowing her when she first started seeing Matt. They are both kind, intelligent, perseverant, and genuinely make each other happy. It's an honor to be a part of their big day.