Jillian & Justin
Wedding Party
Crystine McGill
Co-Maid of Honor
Crystine and Jill have known each other just over 20 years. They lived across the street from each other, hung out many nights until the street lights came on and well after dark, drank from the hose, played truth or dare at block parties, and roamed Dundee (and later the bars). They went to college together and were freshmen year roommates. They've been through thick and thin, held each other through breakups and drunken nights, the sleepwalking and pranking. They talk every single day and support each other through work and personal problems. She's the reason Jill met Justin in the first place. Crystine is strong and conscientious. I would not be the person I am without her and she is one of the most fun people I know. Crystine remembers walking back to our houses after dark and we'd both start screaming and flailing because we'd both just walked through spider webs and could hear each other from across the street. Also when we would stand on the corner of the block waving at cars or holding branches pretending to be living trees. I think we made the papers for that one.
Cole Hartfiel
Best Man
Cole & Justin met playing roller hockey over 25 years ago. They made the jump to ice hockey at the same time. Being on separate teams through high school and into beer league, the rivalry on the ice and our friendship grew stronger. The competitiveness was always there whether it was an actual game or a shootout challenge at the lake house which ended up 1-0 in favor of Justin. Once Cole moved to Minnesota, they stayed close either talking on the phone for hours or the occasional road trips. Cole is the one of the most reliable and trustworthy people in my life, willing to be there for you no matter what. Cole remembers when Justin came to visit in Minnesota. We hung out, had some beers, played FIFA, and took Stella to the park, where she had to be carried out. Cole brought Justin to a 3v3 game against ex-high school all-stars, ex-college, semi-pro, and a former NHL player, it was game on. Did they think this kid from Omaha was out of his league? Probably. Did they think they could tap the puck between his legs and have a breakaway? You betchya. But Justin read it like a book, stopped him in its tracks, and took it the other way. The other goalie looked pretty stupid when Justin picked the short side top corner and scored. It was at least three weeks until Cole’s teammates stopped asking if Justin was coming back. Pretty much the culmination of our lives as brothers of the ice.
Julie Zaborowski
Co-Maid of Honor
Julie and Jill have known each other since elementary school when the Children's Choir started. They went through elementary, high school, and college together. They spent countless hours singing together, carpooling to school together, were always super mischievous together, and love drinking wine and baking together. Julie lives a world apart from me, but I still could not ask for a more loyal confidant and friend. Julie's favorite memories with Jill were after choir rehearsals when we would go on car rides and listen to our childhood choir recordings, go to the grocery store to pick up microwaveable brownie mixes, and watch Pride and Prejudice or Amadeus.
Cordell Martin
Groomsman
Cordell and Justin met at Skateland summer camp over 23 years ago. From Friday night skating to spending nights playing Dynasty Warriors until morning. Cordell even lived at the Kobza house when they were in high school. In their old age, they spend most of their time together rocking out in the pit at concerts. They’ve even traveled for some great shows including Cedar Rapids, Minneapolis, and a 50,000 attendee rock festival in KC. Cordell and I share the same dark sense of humor. There's no one else I would trust to know what kind of funny goes on inside my head as much as Cordell. "My favorite memory is when Justin’s mom was making her famous marinara sauce for a small get together and I missed the memo and invited the whole gang to come over. Luckily Tammy (mom) ended up making enough for everyone to enjoy and the night was great."
Krysta Finley
Bridesmaid
Krysta is Justin's sister. She is a strong woman and mother to two amazing kids. She welcomed Jill into the family with open arms and treated her like a sister from day one. She and Justin have such a great bond, they still play fight and wrestle like the kids they are at heart. We all talk several times a week and hang out several times a month. I am so happy to be gaining a sister. I'm so glad to have someone to go through life with while we navigate and learn still. You are such an inspiration to me. Thank you for letting me love your brother as much as I can. Krysta says "Jilly is the sister I never had but always wanted. I will never forget when Justin called to tell me he was going to propose that day and I was literally crying! I'm not an emotional person but I am so happy and excited for the both of them!"
Brian Peel
Groomsman
Brian and Justin met freshmen year of high school. They bonded over video games and sports. They played lacrosse together, golfed, played street hockey, and frisbee around the neighborhood. They visited Tampa together for spring break, shared a trip to Dallas to see air races, and road tripped to Minnesota to play hockey on a lake. Recently they played league darts and rec league softball together. They still play video games together when they can. Brian has always been an incredibly loyal friend and is like a brother to me. Brian's favorite memory is from senior year of high school. We had an open period in the morning, so we went to Justin’s house and grabbed his parent’s 13” tube tv. We snuck it into school in Justin’s backpack and played videogames in the commons area combined with someone’s Xbox. During passing period, we got so many strange looks. We all laughed it off and continued to enjoy the moment. I don’t believe many others can say they’ve done that in high school
Sarah DeWispelare
Bridesmaid
Sarah is a treasure and a wonderful human being. She and her husband, Clete, have been close friends of Justin for about 10 years, and with Jill since she came into the picture 8 years ago. They go to countless concerts together, make all the crafts, and drink all the wine. Sarah is a cat mom, and beautiful soul. Since moving back home to Omaha, Sarah has been one of my closest friends and favorite people to hang out with, whether it's being creative, having game nights, or grilling out. I don't think I could have survived in my relationship this long without you. Thank you. I can't WAIT for this next year's adventures! One of Sarah's favorite memories was when Justin and Jill came over to tell us they were engaged. I walked Jill around the entire house, showing her my new flowers, while she was holding her hand up and pointing with it, and I didn't notice her ring. Finally noticed and was so excited. That night a raccoon came up by our deck and ate from our birdfeeder while we were all sitting there next to it.
Clete DeWispelare
Groomsman
Who’s Clete?
Alyssa Kellar
Bridesmaid
Alyssa and Jill met the first week of freshmen year of college, living on the same floor of their dorm. They were both music majors at the time, junior year roommates, and studied abroad together. She is a middle school band instructor in the Seattle area. Alyssa and Jill are very similar and always got along because they were so easy going but also shared a no-nonsense attitude together. I would not have been able to get through the all nighters, countless rehearsal hours, or walks home from Sal's without you. Alyssa's favorite memory with Jill was when they studied abroad, they were the seniors in a group of juniors who were legally allowed to drink in Europe and wanted to party all the time. When we were in Athens, we would walk with all the younger students to the bars in a loud, raucous group. As they kept going, we would get slower and slower until they turned a corner and were out of eyesight. We would turn around and go to a quiet piano lounge and drink wine like "sophisticated adults".
Andrew Anthony
Groomsman
Andrew met Justin in middle school and they would hang out at the Kobza house most days. They played video games, football in the snow, practiced their chipping game, and homerun derbies at the softball field. Together they visited St. Paul, Minnesota to watch Michigan play Duluth, MN in the college hockey Frozen Four Finals. Andrew has always been a great friend, even when we don’t see each other for long periods of time, it’s like we’ve never been apart. Andrew remembers almost being murdered by Justin's mom. We went to Block Buster and rented a video game. As we all entered Justin’s house, we went upstairs and without looking around, I turned the video game on and flipped the tv to the right display only to hear Justin and Josh say, “HI MOM.” Justin’s mom was on the couch watching tv and I completely missed her. I turned around in fear for my life as Justin and Josh just laughed.
Megan Girgen
Bridesmaid
Megan and Jill were choir buddies freshmen year of college and roommates Sophomore, Junior, and Senior year. They stayed up late watching Phantom of the Opera, singing Broadway with each other, and getting into general campus mischief. They went on a grand adventure to London to see Hamlet performed live by Benedict Cumberbatch. I could not imagine going to college without a friend like Megan. She is such a force of energy. I will always remember our high tea at Lady Dinah's Cat Emporium and visiting the stage door at all hours of the night. Megan remembers meeting Jill in choir rehearsal and being roommates abroad which lead to being roommates back at school. Countless nights talking until we fell asleep, dinosaurs on the wall, and hands in the ceiling! (scrrrrrch). "I can't thank the forces of nature enough for bringing us together."
Josh Heyer
Groomsman
When Josh and Justin found out they lived a block away from each other in middle school, they basically started living at each other’s houses. They always played video games with the boys, went on car rides, and visited Dot Game. Together they’ve traveled to Boston, Denver, and St. Paul to see NHL hockey games. The most games they’ve seen together are of the Colorado Avalanche. Josh is one of the most supportive friends who I can talk to about anything and I'm not afraid to be myself around. Josh has many memories from throwing frisbee until 3am, pond hockey, late nights in Justin’s back yard, trips to Denver, countless hockey games, and the many snow football games. My top memory was when I lived with Justin and Brian, I came home late after work to a bottle of Smirnoff hanging from the ceiling. They iced me. Both decided to join in and drop to one knee and chug a bottle of their own. A close second memory was Justin and I driving around the Walmart parking lot and ramming shopping carts with my old Oldsmobile.
Bryan & Julie Waugh
Host Couple
Julie and Bryan are some of the most fun people we know. Always willing to go out on the boat for some sun and drinks. We stay with them every time we go out to see the cranes in Kearney. John and Judy Wees were their host couple for their wedding, and now they are returning the favor. Bryan still loves to reminisce about when he and Justin Grint were security at Jill's high school prom. We are so grateful to them for helping make the proposal so special.
Laiden Finley
Junior Groomsman-Ring Bearer
Laiden is our nephew and Justin's godson. He is an all star athlete who plays football and basketball. He loves watching the Dallas Cowboys with his dad. He is a hockey fanatic and loves watching the Dallas stars while playing floor hockey in the kitchen and living room. Justin loves taking Laiden to go practice ice skating. Jill loves watching Laiden play sports. Laiden is the nicest kid with the biggest heart and the smartest sense of humor. He is the best big brother ever. Laiden’s favorite memory was spending the night at Jill and Justin’s house. We stayed up late playing games and watching hockey and Spongebob. In the morning we had fun making waffles.