Wedding Party

Emily Holznagel

Matron of Honor

"​Steph and I met at the hospital, but it was a mutual challenge that brought us together. Since that time, Steph and our families have only grown closer together. Steph and I can cover a lot of ground while talking incredibly fast and creating many tangents, all the while TJ and Erik are maintaining their introspective and reserved temperaments. I was told that I have a limited amount of space for this “blurb” so I can’t list every reason why I’m thankful for Steph’s friendship. But know there are many, and I am truly blessed to have Steph as my friend."

John Steinbacher

Best Man

"TJ came into my life the summer of 2010. Unbeknownst to me, he had been living in my house for two weeks before I noticed. Many good times followed at the Breckenridge house. Those good times lead to us becoming official roommates and moving into the Wilder place. The friendship has kept growing ever since. Eventually Steph started living with us, that also took me a couple weeks to notice."

Kayla Secrest

Bridesmaid

"My first memory of Steph was pulling her first tooth while wearing the coolest cat shirt money could buy. Cat shirt aside this interaction helped to define our friendship moving forward which can be described as unpredictable, chaotic, and shenanigan-filled. In high school we championed the end to semester tests as only the dynamic duo of Student Body President and Vice President can. We pushed each other in sports and academics alike all while getting into mischief that only high schoolers in a town of ~900 can. Most recently TJ had the honor of living with both Steph and I for 1+ yr; honor might not be the term he uses but an honor nonetheless. That year was filled with visits to our favorite watering hole, excavating mishaps, and a near death experience on ol' Mount Sentinel."

Jordan Crippen

Groomsman

“I was lucky to be born a quadruplet with three sisters but I was even luckier to have TJ as my older brother. He has always been there for me growing up and I looked up to him the older we got. If it was us both being linebackers in high school football or trying to save the world in Halo, we were always a team. Then he went on to play football for Carroll. A few years later I attended U of M to play in their marching band. I was there at any chance to cheer him on. After meeting Steph, she was always there cheering for him and I knew she would always be his number one fan. TJ is one of the most determined people I have ever met and I knew he would succeed in anything he put his mind to. I am so happy that he met Steph and I am honored to be a part of their special day.”

Jerraca Allhands

Bridesmaid

"Steph and I first began our beautiful friendship at Carroll 101 Days in the Spring of 2010. We were both planning to attend Carroll College in the fall and Steph rigged the system (i.e. stalked me) so that we would be roommates (you can ask her for further details on this). Luckily her tactics worked and we went on to live together for the next 5 years. From napping together in the basement of Guadalupe Hall, to celebrating the completion of our Super Senior year together, Steph’s friendship has been a constant source of MANY laughs and love through it all. I feel honored to stand next to her on her big day as she marries the man of her dreams and look forward to the years to come of our friendship." #BuffaloGalsforLife

Eric Noel

Groomsman

"I honestly can't remember the exact Carroll College house party or Helena dive bar at which I met TJ for the first time. Steph and I had been friends for a while and all I know is that sometime during our senior year, our hang outs had gone from no TJ to "make sure you bring TJ". It was really a year later when TJ and I became close friends. As we had graduated, but Steph was still finishing her final year of nursing school, we would hang out in an exclusive setting called "Grad's Club" that basically meant Steph couldn't come to our after-work beers. Since then the shenanigans have continued and even crossed state lines (but now we let Steph join too).

Jess Denboer

Bridesmaid

"I met Steph when I was a brand new RN starting my first nursing job. I had the fortune of getting paired with Steph as my preceptor. While I could immediately sense that she was going to be a great role model, I had no idea that she was going to become one of my best friends. We spent the first few weeks bonding while she helped me navigate the wild ride that is nursing; learning medications/procedures, the most efficient way to clean up a poop-splosion, and how to cope with the loss of a patient. What started as a work relationship blossomed into one of the most unique and special relationships I have today. Spending the last few years with Steph and TJ has been a fun and loving experience. They welcomed me into their lives with open arms. I am honored to be part of their special day!"

Dakota Amy

Groomsman

" I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Crippen in the fall of 2009 at Carroll College. Going to school with T.J. I would often think to myself "wow this dude is incredibly intelligent". Later on in college we were practicing in -23 degree weather and I looked over and T.J. doesn't even have sleeves on and then I thought to myself, "Hmm... is he smart?". Turns out I have since decided he's one of the more brilliant people I know. Our friendship was built on the sweat of college football, the somewhat hazy memories of college lifestyle and the mental marathon that was physical therapy school at UM. We've been with each other through thick and thin and am honored to stand by you on your wedding day."

Michelle Smith

Bridesmaid

"When I reflect on my friendship with Steph, I'm filled with gratitude for her authenticity, indomitable spirit, kindness, unending humor and ability to put me in my place when I need it. We first met in 2011 in a creative writing class at Carroll College and I was immediately drawn to her fashionable and spunky shoes. We made our way through that class writing and sharing stories of love and loss, and always comparing shoes. It wasn’t until later we realized we had been accepted into the same nursing program, and our fate was sealed. We were each other’s backbone, heart, and absolute never-ending bulletproof support. I will always count her as my first and best friend at Carroll, the one who took me in and accepted me, my flaws and wrinkles and all. I love you, Steph. I love you, Teej."

Rich Mehlbrech

Groomsman

"A few days into PT school I realized there was a guy in the back of the class that could quote the text book under his breath when the professor asked questions. I realized this voice was coming from TJ, and it would probably be in my best interest to become friends with him to help drag me through school. TJ and I spent a lot of time studying together at coffee shops for 3 years, aka, re-teaching me what was said in class. Somehow we managed to spend equally, if not more time, sipping beers at The Dram Shop or Griz tailgates. TJ is extremely lucky to have Steph in his life, she brings out the best in him. I’m glad she can put up with TJs weird cat fetish, it made me a little nervous the first time I went to their house. Extremely thankful I became friends with these two amazing people!"

Micah Larsen

Bridesmaid

"Being married to someone in medicine means weird dinner table conversation and weirder work hours. It also means you get a big 'ol medical family. When Eric started working at Community Medical Center we lucked into a group of people who became our family, including Steph and TJ. Steph was one of the first people to meet and hold our son, Wilder, in the NICU, and they've been Auntie Steph and Uncle TJ ever since."

Eric Larsen

Groomsman

"I met TJ in the womb. We battled, laughed, and fought to be the first out the door. We were separated at birth. TJ thought he was "not a quad, just a kid"; but, unbeknownst to him, he was a deuce. We reconnected in a sleepy mountain town during fire season. The hellstorm of smoke and ash cleared to frame the silhouette of a powerful oxen-like figure. I immediately knew that he was my long lost brother. We shared beer and books. He fixed my sprinkler. When he was far away I could still sense his mood clearly. The mental connection led to my becoming more stoic and him becoming more confused. When I was asked to be a groomsman there was only one possible answer, "do your patients do their stretches?" Meaning, 'maybe... but this time, yes.'"

Ezra Holznagel

Ring Bearer

Wilder Larsen

Ring Bearer

James & Edwin Bauer

Flower Child

Nephews

Kyson Boucher

Flower Child

Nephew

Michael Barrett

Usher

Jayme Livingston

Usher

Kevin Jones

Officiant