Gage

Groom

Sophie

Bride

Ember

Cuddle Attendant

Molly McEntire

Matron of Honor

Sophie’s one and only best sister! Molly is my best friend and overseer since day one. Our parents often told us when we were little, we would be each other’s best friends forever. When we were mad at each other our parents asked us to rub noses and no matter how angry both of us were, we would break out in giggles. We used to go to summer camp together in Michigan and Molly would come find me and check on me at least 5 times per day just to say hi or get a hug. Most older siblings would not have wanted their little sister around all the time but, not us. We would play in the backyard and jump on the trampoline for HOURS at a time. We shared a bedroom before I went into 2nd grade and some nights, I would sneak into her bed at night so we could talk. In high school, we no longer shared a room but sometimes I would still sneak in and talk with her for awhile or hang out with her until she got too warm. Molly may have a new last name and live far away now but, I know if I ever need anything, I have a best friend just one phone call away.

Christy Kaseroff

Bridesmaid

I met Christy while working at Starbucks in Wisconsin. The two of us became friends day one. Christy invited me to meet her wife, Ashley, to have dinner with them. The three of us have become chosen family. Four months before the Covid lockdown, I moved into an apartment with Christy and Ashley. Thank goodness! Lockdown was made fun by: baking, playing board games, studying to help me finish college, and having friends to chat and stay sane with. Christy and Ashley have a beautiful daughter named Lydian, our flower girl. When Christy was pregnant with Lydian, Gage decided it was time to move in with me. I was reluctant to leave the possibility of living with a baby, but knew Gage was where my future was and moved away from Christy and Ashley. We still have a group text chat named “home team” that never goes more than 5 hours without an update.

David

Best Man

We met back in our ole Culver’s days. David had a great time working together, bonding over our affinity for writing. During slow times in the day we would workshop new plots, titles, and new character. He had the grandest ideas and aspirations, weaving a thread of grandiose splendor in the everyday conversation. We were close while working, but then again, everyone of us at Culver’s was close. That safe haven of a restaurant was a refuge coming out my high school bubble. David eventually left for another position, while I stayed on for a few more years. Luckily he understood the importance of staying connected, and we would go out to movies just about every week during the summer. We don’t go out to movies quite that often anymore, but we still talk just as much. I’ve always appreciated his steadfastness in my life, and couldn’t have been happier when he agreed to be my best man.

Lydian

Flower Girl

Lydian calls Sophie: Auntie Toto (not sure how this name started but it’s staying) Lydian calls Gage: GAGE!! ENTHUSIASTICALLY 100% of the time. She is a well loved part of our chosen family and enjoys many hobbies including books, splash pads, gardening with her Moms, asking for snacks, playing with her dog, Liza, cutting up veggies for dinner, eating them raw when cutting, playing music & dancing. She will be 3 years old by our wedding day.

Adalynn

Flower Girl

This joyous bundle of spunk is happy to chat and tell you all about her little brother Oliver. She is caring and loves to help everyone just like her mom.

Colonel Paul Dixon

Father of the Bride

Paul is Sophie’s Dad, a 30 year Army veteran, a bee keeper, a loving husband to Ruthie and a wonderful friend to all. He enjoys discussing his time in the US Army, 6 bee hives, 2 wonderful daughters and stories of his travels around the world. He is full of loads of random facts about miscellaneous subjects (that’s where Sophie gets this talent).

Jeff Grotjahn

Father of the Groom

He is the one that is always there for me. Without fail, I know I can turn to him in times of difficulty. Just recently I was really stuck. My van went down, and I didn’t know what was going on with it. I was quite literally paralyzed with anxiety. Not sure what to do with it, and not knowing what was wrong with it, I ended up just calling him to pick his brain. In a matter of minutes, he figured out what was wrong with it and even offered to fix it. It was a huge weight off my shoulders. As I get older it gets harder and harder to imagine what life would be like without him in my life. I thank God that I get to realize that fact. My dad is my role model, and he made me feel so special growing up. I always remember him asking me serious questions when I was young, and respecting the answers I, a then child, would give him. Every time he did this my confidence in myself rose a little. It’s such a hard thing to instill in a child: their belief in themselves, but he did it seamlessly. I love my dad and I appreciate his love in my life.

Ruthie Dixon

Mother of the Bride

Ruthie is Sophie’s Mom, a decorator, a photographer, a wonderful person to ask advice and great at giving hugs. She spent a lot of time with her daughters as they were growing up planning activities for them like “paying” for their breakfast with coins to learn money counting, taking them on a country wide road trip from Washington state to Maine, or up to Michigan where they went to summer camp at Kohahna. She is strong and did a lot on her own while Paul was away in Iraq and Afghanistan. Both Molly and Sophie are grateful to have Ruthie as their Mom.

Chris Grotjahn

Mother of the Groom

She is the person in my life that loves me unconditionally. Not often can you say ‘I owe my life…’ without hyperbole, but it is through my mom’s decision to have another child that I can write these words. I am so lucky to have her in my life, some people aren’t as lucky. And the fact that she gets to see me marry the love of my life is a blessing truly unparalleled. I’ll always remember her chili. She made it just for me. The kitchen is the place where a mom shows her love the best, nourishing her child in body and soul. She would make the tomato base herself from the tomatoes she grew in her own garden, a labor of love in every sense of the phrase. She is one of a kind, a loving mom, and an amazing person. I thank the Lord that she is here today.