Olivia & Cole
World's Best Wedding Party
Maddy Botka
Matron of Honor
And to think in this photo I was your maid of honor for YOUR wedding two years ago! And now our roles are reversed. This day would not have happened without your love, sisterhood, and planning skills <3 The Lord knew these wedding seasons were going to be special as sisters. Even in the times when we felt like oil and water, I could not imagine growing up with any other sister. You have deeply loved and known me in all seasons of my life. And now we have expanded our sisterhood by bringing these amazing new boys in which is so additive and wonderful, but I will always treasure the moments when it was just "Mads and me". Now hold my train, because I so GRACIOUSLY did that for you :)
Jack Benson
Best Man
My day 1 brother - Little did I know that we would meet in kindergarten and become best friends ever since. Jack and I’s relationship sprouted playing club soccer since we were little kiddos all the way up to the end of high school. Through this time, we were glued to the hip in everything and he fits the mold as a brother more so than a friend. We have grown up and lived through so many phases of life and have not skipped a beat even though he lives across the nation in NY! My favorite thing about our relationship is the ongoing pursuit of creating new memories with each other instead of talking about the “Good ole times”. Although I do not have a biological brother – I do truthfully feel that I have one at all times. Words cannot describe how much I am appreciative of him and his family.
Hanna Zaitz
Bridesmaid
Okay hello BFFL of 18 years! Who knew meeting in PRE-SCHOOL would lead us to a friendship that has lasted for almost all of our lives? Yes, that is right, PRE-SCHOOL. Going on an 18-year friendship here. The best part of this story is that even though we went to different schools growing up and matured into two different women, we loved each other and our friendship so much that nothing could break us up! I am honored that we have both seen each other through so many seasons of life, filled with crazy play-dates, to high school memories, both going to college in San Diego and living in our Temecula seasons. Now we get to take on a season that we have always dreamed about since we were little girls. Life with you is full and joyful, thank you for being my best friend.
Jake Gregory
Groomsman
If there was a movie that represented our relationship, it would be the movie “Step Brothers” (I would be Will Ferrell). Jake and I met my senior year of college by becoming roommates for our last year. Never in a million years did I think Jake and I would get as close as we did but God had other intentions! Living with him was such a blast – skiing, surfing, and constantly pranking each other at any moment in the day. Still to this day, we are ever so present in each other's lives and are there for one another through the highs and lows. He is my “Random facetime in the car buddy”. Love this guy and am truly thankful for what he means in my life.
Anna Petersen
Bridesmaid
Freshmen Liv & Anna unsure of who we were living in Klassen Hall at Point Loma would be SHOCKED at our lives and the friendship we have created over all these years. Anna has stayed consistent and graceful in our friendship of six years and has shown up for every ebb & flow in my life. The grace and realness I feel from this friendship have filled me up in times of drought. The memories I hold back to freshman year when we were struggling to develop ourselves (in many different ways!!) make me giggle and admire God's goodness throughout the years. Thank you for traversing through life in college with me, and then when we entered into the realm of "post-grad." Now- what season are we in?? Who cares, here we are!! Here's to the season of Birdy Grey dresses, yes? (;
Logan Hannah
Groomsman
The hype man himself… I don’t think there has been anyone in my life who can hype up a one-foot surf wave as much as my man Logan. As I said about Jake (Above), Logan and I did not know each other prior to living with each other our senior year. Logan and I clicked when we discovered how competitive we were against each other in every game we could find… from Monopoly Deal to Ping Pong - we could always find something to play and bond over. Logan has this excitement about life that is so contagious. More importantly, he has this excitement about the Lord – and it has been amazing to see our lives with Christ deepened as we have left college. Logan is the man!
Terra Gilman
Bridesmaid
I cannot remember the exact moment I met Terra- I do remember chatting in the Klassen Dorm rooms after the freshman year dance, and from that moment on she has been in my life. It was when we lived together during a crazy COVID summer down in Ocean Beach, that Terra and I dove into a deep, honest, true friendship!! It was a mixture of laughing really hard at silly things all summer long and also diving into deep, real issues in our lives during that season. From then on I have considered Terra to be a friend who knows and sees many different layers of myself and every time she speaks into my life, it is encouraging and inspiring to listen to. Thank you for holding this place in my life & on this big day. See you on the dance floor!!
Nolan Cork
Groomsman
Before Nolan and I actually even really met, we were bonded from an unfortunate circumstance (From my perspective haha) … We randomly played each other in a basketball pickup game at 24-hour fitness back in our hometown (Yorba Linda). Nolan – a HS varsity basketball player versus myself, a soccer player who was probably an overconfident defender. Nolan ended up breaking my ankles (figuratively not actually) in front of everyone – laying on my stomach facing the basket. My humility was shot and it made sense that we didn’t speak until we saw each other again in college (What a coincidence!?). Nolan became a key person in my relationship with Jesus. Our late-night talks while playing video games created a friendship that I find so valuable. He is the person that I go to for any faith-related questions and I cannot thank him enough for the impact on my life. When we do see each other, it’s a mix of a competitive basketball game and talking about Jesus. Thankful for this brother!
Tori Dearden
Bridesmaid
So here I was in Brown Chapel freshmen year watching this girl with cute earrings and long crimped hair stand up in front of hundreds of students and confidently speak the truth. At that moment, I thought to myself, "We would be good friends." The next day when I saw her in Ryan Library I walked up to her and told her exactly that. And here we are six years later. Tori Dearden has a place in my heart that's filled with laughter, truth, tears, and discovery. Here's an example: When I first started texting Cole for the first time, she was one of the first people I told. When I would freak out about texting him, she was the first person who told me to snap out of it. And so I did and now I am marrying him and Tori is a bridesmaid and making my dream flowers come true for the big day. What can she not do? Here's to years and years of friendship with Torino!!
John Frye
Groomsman
Another person who played a huge role in my life is none other than John Frye. Before going to Point Loma Nazarene University, I never touched a surfboard. John and I were hall-mates freshman year and I would see him spend every living moment chasing waves. I ended up getting the surfing bug from him and we were glued to the hip throughout college. We lived in a 12-man house our sophomore year (Yes, you did read that correctly – it was called “The Nunnery”) and we did everything together. Surf, skate – you name it. Everyone who knows John would say that he has the gift of being true to himself in all facets of life. This was something I had to overcome in my maturity in college and he played a key role in propelling me to be “Cole Taylor” and no one else. John has one of the biggest hearts I know and dearly care about this guy!
May Beebe
Bridesmaid
When May and I first met, it was not an instant we were so similar let's chat all night connection. She would claim that she was slightly unsure of how I was (freshmen year Liv was a different human) and I just thought she was a chill, surfer girl with pretty blonde hair and cool friends. And then I slowly got to know her heart and realized that the words "deeply empathetic and caring" do not even begin to describe who May is. Living with her and Tori junior year during the height of COVID times in a place we called "The Bunker" is eternally etched into my brain as being one of the most chaotic and unifying times of my life. Thank you Marielle for being a dear, dear friend to me.
Caleb Crist
Groomsman
Caleb and I met in college during our freshman year as we noticed that the two of us joined every business club that our Point Loma Nazarene University offered. Our friendship quickly transformed when we both decided to go on a mission trip to Ghana with our economics teacher. Getting close to each other on a mission trip naturally occurs, but when someone loses their luggage (cough cough Caleb cough) – you become brothers when you have to share underwear! When we got back, we decided to create a podcast where we would interview people and talk about literally anything (Liv did make an appearance at one point). I will add that there aren’t many more people whom I enjoy more to prank and trash-talk more than Caleb. Caleb is an exceptionally driven individual and a brother who has pushed me in all facets of life to be the best I can be!
Payton Goebel
Bridesmaid
Payton & I went on a walk at the beginning of the junior year. She was a mutual friend to me back then and I figured that if she liked the same people I did, we would have no problem getting along. We did more than just "get along" and over the four years I have known Payton, we became close friends who allowed one another into little pockets of emotions that felt hard to feel alone. One of the things I love about Payton is the immeasurable grace she feels for those around her, and she carries this grace for you when you don't believe it for yourself just yet. Some of my wildest ideas, fears, and emotions have been told to Payton who always made my crazy feel normal and intuitive. I knew Payton would be a "life-er" when she came to my Thanksgiving Dinner a couple of years ago and completed my task of making apple pie when I was no longer interested in cutting the green apples. This was when I knew she was not just an easy and delightful guest to bring along, but loved being around me and my family even though Grandma Cory was particular about the exact shape and size of the apples. Thank you for loving me well!!
Kyler Wisenor
Groomsman
Kyler and I were pals in college but I would definitely say that our relationship elevated in post- grad! With a lot of our close college friends leaving San Diego after college besides us two, Kyler and I naturally got closer by getting one-on-one time by regularly playing pickleball weekly after work. This stemmed from deeper talks about relationships, careers, and our relationship with Christ. Not to mention that Kyler might just be the most competitive friend I know and it was common to have some silent intense games. Both of us got plugged into the bible study that we have now been involved in for two years – and our relationship has only grown in depth and fun. Kyler is one of the most intentional and thoughtful people I know. Seeing our relationship grow has been a bright spot when I look back over the last couple of years. Grateful for this guy!
Emily Merrell
Bridesmaid
Again a friend that God intentionally put into my life during my crazy freshmen year at Point Loma! I don't remember the details of when we first started hanging out but before I knew it we became friends. Over the years, Em has embodied the Lord's love in how she shows up and brings encouragement. In my moments of wanting to be known, seen, and done with challenging thought patterns, Em has given me wisdom, and truth that helped me realize the bigger picture and the guy upstairs we are working with. I am in awe of Em's zest for life and the gratitude she holds for every situation. She has deep passions for her life, and it is fun to be apart of those conversations and dreams she carries. Em loves me and also truly loves the man I am marrying, and this makes my heart filled with joy. You are sunshine and I am so excited to do July 20th 2024 with you as a bridesmaid.
Jeremy Botka
Groomsman
My soon-to-be brother-in-law! It is true that you don’t pick family, but if I did get to choose who my brother-in-law would be, Jeremy would fit that mold completely. And what are the odds that we both are from the same city in Orange County and went to rival high schools? We both grew up playing sports and there is no coincidence that a lot of our best memories involve competing in sports or chess... What stands out to me about Jeremy is his ability to bring God into every conversation. He is so intentional and interested in his friends/family and it has been great to get closer over the years. Some of my deepest conversations about Jesus are with Jeremy and is someone great to have to have in your corner. Many more memories to come with this guy!
Ashley Taylor
Bridesmaid
Hello future sister in LAW! When Cole and I first talked about our families, he mentioned how many women were a part of his life and then he spoke the infamous words, "I have a younger sister." And here we are today, four years later!! Even though you live states away, thank you for being intentional with your time and love, especially during this season. I love the bond and respect you and Cole have for one another, it is something I noticed within the first couple of months of dating him. It will be a WILD and FUN time to have you as my sister-in-law for life! Thank you for being a part of the special day! XO
Chris Huchel
Groomsman
Last but certainly not least, my soon-to-be cousin-in-law! There aren’t many people that make me laugh like Chris. Although we knew each other from going to college together, it has been so sweet to be able to further our relationship after college. Chris is one of those people who naturally says all of the right things at the right time – he is a constant light in any room he enters and I’m grateful for the fun times and conversations we have had (AYCE Sushi trauma). What excites me more is what the future awaits and the memories will be had - appreciate this dude a lot!