Matron of Honor
Erin is my sister and has known me my entire life. When I went to college in Eau Claire, Erin and her husband, Chris, lived close to me - about 30 minutes away. Being about 3 hours from home it was nice to have a piece of home nearby. Erin and I were able to get together often for lunch and dinner dates, or she would have me at her house to get a break from dorm life from time to time. Within a few years of being at college, Erin and Chris had Eleanore and later on had Grant. I loved being close by to get some baby time and snuggles. Grant and Eleanore are such important parts of our lives now. Ellie was so excited to hear that Collin and I got engaged and Grant responded with "I thought you guys were already married..." I cherish a lot of Erin and I's memories together and can always count on her. Erin is absolutely hilarious, willing to be silly and ridiculous to have some laughs, and incredibly thoughtful. I truly value our friendship.
Best Man
Kyle and I have known each other since we was kids. We had a typical brotherly relationship where we constantly would try to make each other laugh by regurgitating lines from just about any movie or specifically Spongebob Squarepants. Back in the day, Kyle would always invite me to come with him while he'd hang out with his friends. That's usually not something older siblings do but maybe everyone genuinely enjoyed my company. Or thought of me as like a little monkey boy to do their bidding and entertain them. That could have also easily been the case. Kyle and I eventually moved out the same Summer and finally went off to big boy college. We had lived in that house together for years bonding over vinyl records, disc golfing, and some great classic video games. Nowadays we get together and pick up right where we left off - just goofing around, having a good time and then talking about when we're going to get together next.
Maid of Honor
Amy is my sister and has also known me my entire life. We've had some real fun times as kids playing the sumo game, the floor is lava, and of course playing with our beanie babies in the bunk beds before our dad would come in and tell us to go back to bed. She won at life when she got her hands on a Super Mario 64 cheat book and we would play that for hours together over our summer vacation. Later on in my early college years, I had decided I wanted to pursue a degree in education. Amy taught (and currently teaches) 4th grade and would always welcome me into her classroom. After I graduated, I got my first teaching job and lived in Appleton. Amy lives in Oshkosh, so we were able to get together often. We ended up teaching in the same school district and one summer taught at the same week long camp..the kids lost their minds that there were TWO Ms. Hoppenjans! Amy always invited me to things with her friends as I was new in the area and on my own, which I'm forever appreciative for! I'll always think back to our Monday 'Bachelor' and wine nights. Amy is also a fellow craft beer and old fashioned lover (shout out to our girl, Jasmine!) and is always up for a fun time! I'm so thankful for our friendship and our memories we've shared together.
Groomsman
Luke is one of my closest friends and has always been the ultimate wing man. I can't really remember how Luke and I became good friends. We weren't next door neighbors but he lived close by up the Woodland Ridge hill. I think Rory, Luke and I all hung out one day in Summer and every day after that, I'd get a "Come over" text from him. We'd always play ping pong after school and it was the most satisfying thing seeing Luke smash a wooden paddle to pieces after I finally won. He's got a wicked backhand. He introduced me to some of life's greatest treasures such as Trailer Park Boys and the sport of Lacrosse. He taught me how to drive stick, ice fish, shoot a shotgun... how to kiss (not really). He's pulled me out of a ditch TWICE and was right there with me for my first beer. We were even voted best buddies in high school. We really gained a lot of life and street experience together and I truly appreciate having a friend like him all these years.
Bridesmaid
Where do I begin... Zoe has been my ride or die since 2001 when she bought me platform flip flops for my birthday. Our friendship truly hit peak weirdness in middle school when we would walk home from school and make up ridiculous songs and then later make even more ridiculous funny home videos at her house after school. We were friends all through high school and then attended UW-Eau Claire together, later rooming together with our girl Kendie. Zoe is so thoughtful, resilient, supportive, and kind. I'm forever grateful for all of our shared memories and know whenever we see each other, we'll pick right up where we left off.
Groomsman
When I met Brandon, he was 'Bruno' - a name he, I think, chose in Spanish class. I just think it's been a better name for him and at this point I think he knows it too. Bruno was one of my roommates in college and currently runs one of the greatest fantasy football podcasts I've ever heard in my life. We really bonded over music and vinyl records in our time in Eau Claire and even had jam sessions where he'd provide killer vocals. We'll still discuss the possibility of starting a band from time to time.
Bridesmaid
Georgia and I met when we were kids. Our older sisters (erin and sarah) are the best of friends, so our paths would cross from time to time growing up. Later on in high school we both worked at the movie theater and were in the marching band together (cool alert) and that's when we truly bonded and became the best of friends. Georgia is the funniest person on the planet, loves cats as much as I do, and has the biggest heart. I couldn't imagine life without this gem of a human!
Groomsman
Luke and I became buddies in Eau Claire but had actually met prior at UW Stout. I was visiting Luke Statz for some fun underage drinking one weekend. Luke lived with me for a Summer and accompanied me on my first ever flight out of state. Luke's a kind-hearted soul who's been close to Margaret and I for a long time. I look forward to our next adventure.
Bridesmaid
Ms. Kendra and I became friends in college at UW-Eau Claire. My friend Zoe introduced me to her and we hit it off and eventually all lived together in the squirrel house. Kendie and I were in the teacher education program together and we also worked together at a before and after school care job. Kendie and I got super close in our last few years of college. On a typical Friday night at the squirrel house, Kendie, Zoe, and I would rotate who would buy beer for the weekend. We would get home and have the best time together listening to 60s, 70s, and 80s pandora to get ready to go out. Kendie is the best storyteller and will make you laugh until you cry.
Groomsman
Tom was the co-founder of Collin & Tom's Comic Book Inc. founded in 8th grade. Which was basically a notebook I mostly contributed to by drawing stick-man comic strips. Not many people saw it so hardly a legitimate business. Tom moved out to Colorado soon after high school and fulfilled his duty of giving me a proper Rocky Mountain experience in 2016. He housed us, fed us, and accompanied us to Rock Rocks to see Tame Impala. Tom's a real cool dude I share some great stories with that I'll certainly never forget.
Bridesmaid
Lauren is Collin's sister and basically my current sister. I love Lauren's sense of humor and how kind and thoughtful she is. When I lived in Appleton and would visit Collin and his fam in Wausau, us three would often spend time together and just laugh at the most ridiculous things. I appreciate how she is always there to listen, ready to crack a joke, and is down to have a fun time. I love our friendship and I am so lucky to get her as a sister-in-law! Lauren often comes to town to visit from time-to-time and us three have the best dinner dates. *Margaritas are not allowed anymore...
Groomsman
Adam is someone I can actually say is a 'brother from another mother'. His parents and mine have been good friends for many years so I've always considered the Chojnackis family. In our youth we'd be forced to go camping with our parents and find ways to entertain ourselves by acting like a couple of padawans out of Star Wars Episode I swinging plastic glowing light sabers around the campsite. We officially became family when he married my cousin Kendel where Adam blessed me with the honor of being a groomsmen. Now, Adam will return the favor for me in September as one of my 'boyz'.
Bridesmaid
My female soulmate. Kendel is Collin's cousin and one of my besties. When Collin first introduced us, I thought Kendel hated me and Kendel thought I hated her. We laugh about it to this day how we have no idea how that happened, but she and I instantly became the best of friends. Kendel is so kind-hearted, thoughtful, and so damn funny. I truly can go to her about anything and vice versa. We have the best time together and I'm so appreciative of this beautiful human!
Bridesmaid
Captain Kay is Collin's brother's wife and also basically my current sister. Kaylee is hands down the best hostess and baker. Kaylee and I first met in 2017 when I first started dating Collin. She recently started dating Kyle at the time so it was nice having a buddy when you are also new to meeting the fam! Collin and I often get together with Kaylee and Kyle (collin's brother/kaylee's husband) in Milwaukee or Wausau, or her family's place in Waupaca. Kaylee is so generous, hilarious, and kind-hearted. I'll never forget feeling so included in her wedding day and belting out some cheetah girls together. I love Kaylee's humor and we've had some of the best times together. She's always up for a fun time and I'm incredibly thankful for our friendship!