Theresa & Michael
Wedding Party
Kristina Grether (Nini)
Matron of Honor
My big sister :) She is fun, adventurous, hard-working, and makes me feel like I'm funny by laughing at/with me. Kristina blows me away with all that she does including teaching 5th graders, adventuring, eating popcorn, living on a ranch, and plucking chickens. Sharing a room is not my favorite past time with her, but sharing life in SLO is! She is welcoming to all and lets me be myself. -Theresa Kristina is a badass! (See above for some specific details) She is so fun and caring towards others. Every time she asks a question she listens intently and with interest. I really like her and am glad she will be my sister-in-law! - Mike
Jacob Aldridge
Best Man
Jake is my big brother. We spent about 13 years sharing the same bedroom which prompted some good and bad times. I would antagonized Jake even though he was bigger and could beat the crap out of me if he wanted to, which he actually never did. Now Jake is one of my best friends and I really look up to him. Jake is very wise and would drop everything he is doing for me and the rest of our family. Jake has taught me more then he knows. -Mike Jake knows everything about anything. He is so smart and hard-working. He has shown Mike and I love in so many ways and I know he would do anything to help us. But man, he taught Mike how to buy things... c’mon Jake! -Theresa
Anna Hazlett (Ain)
Maid of Honor
My cousin and life-time bff! College was the first thing we didn't do together. I call her my protector because I used to literally hide behind her all the time. She is wise as heck and kind as can be. Fun fact: In 6th grade I broke my leg at the park we are getting married at and she carried me all the home as I screamed and cried! -Theresa Ain!!! One of the first times I met Anna we went to a bonfire at San O and I just remember thinking how fun and awesome she is. She has exceeded that original impression. She also makes for the best corn hole partner. - Mike
Taylor Davis
Groomsman
Taylor is one of my college roommates and great friends. Taylor needs to be outdoors and always doing something. He loves adventure and being with people. Taylor and I have gotten to share countless adventures and one time slept in a hammock in the freezing snow of Sequoia National Park. Taylor slept great and I swore to never share a hammock with Taylor again. -Mike I met Taylor before I met Mike! In fact, Mike was “the guy always following Taylor”! I always admired their friendship so much. Together they modeled genuine love, kindness, and generosity. I got to know them both at Front Porch and eventually we all lead Young Life together. Taylor has continued to be an amazing friend to us both and we get to have crazy double date adventures with Taylor and Andrea (his wife). -Theresa
Emma Mcguire (Eeema)
Bridesmaid
My little cousin! I used to get so annoyed with her because she copied me all the time, but I know she just loved me. I admire her passion for what she believes in and that she isn’t afraid to share those things. She also makes the best cookies (second to my mom’s) -Theresa Emma is fun. I can't think of a time with Emma that wasn't filled with good conversation, a lot of laughter, and an all around good time. It's so easy to be yourself around her and I am very grateful for that. -Mike
Ross Porter
Groomsman
Ross and I met Freshmen year and lived together the next 4 years of college. He is basically a big teddy bear who cares for everyone but can also destroy you in Smash or basketball. But in all seriousness, Ross is the greatest guy I know. He puts others first and is very intentional with everyone and every situation. -Mike Ross is tall, caring, and giving to everyone. I'm so glad him and his wife were living in SLO in the beginning of our relationship so I could convince them that I was a good match for Mikey. I think he finally saved my number in his phone. -Theresa
Maria Neubauer (Mera)
Bridesmaid
My most stylish cousin! I always wanted her to braid my hair when we were younger and I always tried to copy her style. She knows how to have fun and work hard, and we go head to head in competing for favorite aunt. Watch out for her on the dance floor! -Theresa Maria is hip! She lives in Silicon Valley, knows all about the coolest new things and has top notch taste. She is also so sweet and kind. -Mike
Peter Zeller
Groomsman
Peter and I met freshmen year of college and spent many nights watching marvel movies and playing video games. We spent the rest of our college years sharing the same room. A word that describes Peter is persistence. When he has his mind sent on something, he sees it through. It is one of my most admired qualities of his. There is no bullshit with this guy. -Mike Peter has always made me feel welcomed into the friend group by asking me obscure questions. He's a pretty weird guy, but that makes me feel like I fit in (the others are too normal...). -Theresa
Toni Kline (Toneh)
Bridesmaid
My tanned and toned cousin! I always thought she was too cool and old for me but now that she's in SLO again I think she for sure likes me. I love that we get to share life in SLO together and I get to watch her son (Waylon) grow up. Thanks for making me an aunt! -Theresa Toni is a mom and she is so cool for it. Thanks for always listening to my random questions and never getting annoyed with me. You are also hilarious! -Mike
Dylan Eads
Groomsman
My big brother! He's the reliable one in the family and most likely the favorite child. He made me laugh when we wrestled and cry when he vacuumed up my underwear. I have always looked up to him in so many ways and making him laugh is my absolute favorite thing. -Theresa Dylan is going to be my new brother. I actually met Dylan in our commercial construction lab before I met Theresa. We weren’t really friends though cause he was much cooler than me. He is still way cooler than me, but I’m working on it. Dylan is an awesome guy and incredible brother to his two sisters. He loves them so much. -Mike
Shanna Gruszie
Bridesmaid
Shanna is my oldest sister and has always been such a "mom". Which is great cause now she is a mom to the cutest little dude, Zach. Growing up I remember her always wanting things to be perfect, planning everything, and trying to win every board game, some things don't change. Shanna is so welcoming and knows how to have a good time. -Mike My new sister! Wow she welcomed me right away when I met Mike's family by talking to me about her time studying abroad in Spain and my time to come. She is always so sweet and is a pretty baller mom and teacher. Also she's pretty intense to play a boardgames with. -Theresa
S James Kelly
Groomsman
I met James freshmen year and lived with him for three good years. A portion of that time was spent working at Froggies Cafe together. I don’t know if we ever really liked the job, but we laughed to the point of tears joking about that place. I actually think I have laughed more with James than anyone else I know. We just understand each other’s humor I guess. -Mike Stacey always has a smile on his face, an optimist I would call him! He is always such a joy to be around and I enjoy his humor. We both enjoy the same activities like playing volleyball, surfing, and running! Stacey move to SLO please so you and I can hangout. -Theresa
Kayla Ratazcjak
Bridesmaid
Kayla is my second oldest sister. Growing up she was always the artistic one of the family and the most sarcastic. Both are still true today. Kayla is so passionate and caring towards people and things and is so hip and you can tell cause her 3 year old, Max, is hipper then me. I hope I can be as cool as her one day. -Mike My new sis! Her child is the funniest/most stylish 3 year old around (thanks to her). She is a phenomenal and kind mom and it is so special to watch her in that role. I think she laughs at my attempted jokes or she is just laughing at me, but either way she makes me feel loved! -Theresa
Justin Haley
Groomsman
Justin and I also met freshmen year and got to live together for 2 years in the ranch. Justin and I have a lot of fun and most of the time I can’t keep up with his energy. Him and I often talk about a new show or movie coming out and he always seems to know everything about it and all the theories. But most of all, Justin is a great listener and really cares about how I am. -Mike When I first met Justin he was freaking out, probably because he didn't think I was real. I didn't know what to think of him untilI saw him on the dance floor at a wedding. We now enjoy long chats in Vegas pools and hanging out when he visits SLO. If you want to see a funny meme, he's got a good collection. -Theresa
Nikki Faris
Bridesmaid
My most fit friend. Nikki is the fastest person I will ever know, starting when we played AYSO soccer together in first grade. She scared the heck out of me then, but in middle school we became bffs and our teachers always got us mixed up. She is so hard-working and it is always a pleasure to go on runs with her and eat too much food at her house. -Theresa Nikki is fricken athletic! I am glad Theresa has Nikki to run and be active with 24/7. It gets tiring, but not for Nikki. She also took a trip around the world for 6 months which sounds like a dream. I think we have gotten a lot closer and I am excited to have many more moments together. -Mike
Alexander Reed
Groomsman
Alex and I lived at the ranch for 2 years together and became great friends. We bonded over our enjoyment of video games even though Alex was always better. Alex is probably my smartest friend (He’s a scientist) and he always prompted so many great conversations about science, history and theology. -Mike I know Alex is cool because he is a scientist and because Mike said so. However, while getting to know him over the last couple of years, I could say the same! I'd give him an A on choice of friends and wife, B on beer preference, and C on amount of trips he takes to visit us in SLO. -Theresa
Olivia Merlino
Bridesmaid
We graduated preschool together and rekindled to graduate high school together too! We developed such a genuine relationship and always laugh so much when we adventure together. I love Olivia’s passions for adventure, the environment, and her family. She is not afraid to try new things and really go for it and I admire that so much. I know we will be friends for life. -Theresa Olivia is so energetic and adventurous. She loves the outdoors and being active. I think every time we have hung out its been under the sun doing something like Yoga or mountain biking. I wish I was as cool as her! -Mike
Wes Zimmerman
Groomsman
Wes and I met through Young Life, but became close through good conversations and swim days. For a quarter we couch surfed together and even wrote about our experiences, see here: https://halfhomelessnothopeless.blogspot.com/. Wes is hilarious and there is never a dull moment with him. He also drive a Kia Soul, sick right? -Mike Wes and I have a love-hate-relationship. If we didn’t hug once a month, we probably would have killed each other by now. Deep life-talks in Yosemite is another thing we like to do to keep our friendship alive! He is good at correcting grammar, excel spreadsheets, planning big trips for his friends, and being funny. -Theresa
Sarah Waltz
Bridesmaid
Sarah is the math-geek/excel-lover who helped me survive college and study abroad. We lead YoungLife together and she quickly became one of my best friends, (probably because she drove a mini-van freshman year). I'm so thankful we adventured through those 4 crucial years of life together. Thanks for being the only person willing to be my bathroom buddy! -Theresa I really like Sarah. I met Sarah around the same time I met Theresa and we instantly got along. We spent so many hours hanging out at Front Porch with movie nights in the back room, to staying up until sun rise before St. Fratty's day. Sarah is super fun, caring, encouraging and soooo smart. If I ever needed help with math, I knew where to go. -Mike
Alex Liaw
Groomsman
Alex and I met at Young Life camp. The first time I met him I remember thinking how much I would not like this guy. I was wrong. Alex is basically like a younger brother, which can have its ups and downs, but most of the time it means he cares about what I have to say and challenges me to be open. Him and I have had such great and hard conversations because of this. -Mike You can call him Big Al. I think I asked for Al’s approval when Mike and I started dating. I had to make sure I didn't interfere on their friendship. He is currently my skate coach and great friend. If you're interested in hearing his current thoughts on my interference on him and Mike’s friendship, you can ask him at the wedding. -Theresa