Hannah & Jake
Wedding Party
Abbi Gooch
Maid of Honor
We met in Kindergarten where our tables sat next to each other. On the first day Abbi kindly introduced herself to me and asked what my name was, but I just stared at her, not at all enthused about being at school; then I pointed at my name tag on the table with a bit of attitude. Luckily, she didn't read too much into my first impression. It wasn't long after that first day, we became inseparable. The last 16 years have brought us through many laughs and tears, both good times and bad, and too many inside jokes (and SpongeBob references) to count. From multiple sleep-overs in a row to living miles and miles apart; we have grown up together in more ways than one, and have been planning this day for a long time. I couldn't have asked for a better childhood best friend.
Mason Althouse
Best Man
There is nothing more appropriate to say about Mason other than a guy could never have asked for a better man to call his brother. Sometime between the days of co-founding "shops" in bottom of the bathroom closet and selling trinkets to Dad when he came home from work, to sharing Bud Lights at a Garth Brooks concert, arm-in-arm singing "Much Too Young", I came to realize that the kid I used called my "little" brother, is the man I now call my Best Man. No matter what kind of day you're having you can always count on Mason to put a smile on your face. His sharp wit and keen sense of humor have brought a lot of joy into the lives of anyone who has the pleasure of knowing him. While we may be different in a lot of ways, I know the first guy into the fire for me would be Mason. Love you man
Ali Lowry
Maid of Honor
Ali came into my life at the perfect time. She is the big sister I never had, and the perfect match for my brother. We truly became best friends rather quickly, and I cannot imagine life without her. It is no exaggeration when I say I do not know where I would be without Ali, but I know for certain my life would not be what it is without her. She has given me so much advice on love and life, as well as a shoulder to cry on when I needed it, and has helped shape me into the woman I am today. Through the planning of both of our weddings, we keep saying we are going to make a business of it, but I know wherever life leads, Ali will be there. Living five hours apart means our shopping trips are few and far between, but our texts and phone calls come in handy in the meantime.
Will Lowry
Best Man
Ten years ago, if you'd have asked me if one of my best friends, let alone one of my best men, was going to be an optical engineering nerd from Dixon, Kentucky who likes Spongebob, I'd have probably laughed. Looking back now though, I can honestly say I never would have been the man I am today without Will (and his amazing wife Ali). While introducing me to the woman of my dreams sure is a (major) plus, it's Will's complete selflessness and unwavering devotion as a friend that really make him an amazing person. I could never find the words that completely express my gratitude for the help along the way dude, but thank you is a start. You know, all those days we talked about how cool it would be to be brothers, well now we have a whole lifetime ahead of us to find out.
Alexia Zapata-Ramos
Bridesmaid
Going off to college was a difficult transition, but Alexia made it so much easier. We were part of the same group for transfer students at Manchester University, and since then we have only grown closer. Every girl needs a friend she can call about whatever, and who helps her get out of her comfort zone a bit; for me, that friend is Alexia. Her fun-loving personality has been a wonderful addition to my life, and she is one of the reasons I am able to call Indiana my second home. From our lake days with our little sisters to our road trip to my hometown in Kentucky, we have been making the most of our last couple years in college together. I know life is eventually going to lead us living many miles apart, but for me that just means I'll get to take another road trip.
Brad Hazelwood
Groomsman
Growing up (and still to this day) it's common knowledge that if anyone is looking for me around Converse, and I'm not at my parents, the only other place I could be is at the Brad's. I have called this man my best friend since grade school, and we share more stories together than I can even remember. Without a doubt, Brad is the hardest working man I have ever met. Sometime between providing his beautiful daughter Mayleigh with anything a little girl could ever dream of, to setting the gold-standard of operating a corrugated fiberboard plant, he still finds the time to be an amazing friend. More than once life has thrown a lot of miles between us, but time and again we prove this kind of friendship never fades. A blood test may not prove it, but I'm here to say this man is my brother.
Kelsey Lowry
Bridesmaid
I was 7 years old when I officially became a big sister to this beautiful blonde. Since then, I have learned so much about patience, life, and unconditional love. Kelsey is her own person, and I admire it oh so much. She is spunky and incredibly witty, and she always gives me a reason to laugh. She is a wonderful little sister, and a great big sister too. More importantly, she is one of my closest and truest friends. In some ways we are similar, but in others we could not be more different. She likes sports and pop music, and is way cooler than I ever thought about being as a teenager. Kelsey also isn't afraid to speak her mind. If I want an honest opinion, I know she will give it to me; and I think that is something everyone needs in their life.
Tucker Cox
Groomsman
Tucker is another guy that i just don't know what kind of person i would be today without him. We met at Rose-Hulman and while we never technically lived together, I spent the majority of my Senior year sleeping on Tuck's living room couch, teaching him how to play wii bowling (and more importantly, eating all his chunky peanut butter). He and I have been together for everything from accidentally trying to steal a decorative pond fountain, to watching Steve Kinser run (what was supposed to be) his final race at Bloomington motor speedway. Tucker has one of the biggest hearts (no pun intended) of anyone i have ever met. He, along with the rest of the Cox family, were more than willing to open their hearts and home to Hannah and I, and we could never be more grateful.
Ella-Grace Lowry
Junior Bridesmaid
The littlest of the Lowry bunch, Ella is pretty much a miniature version of me. Sometimes my parents say it is like watching me grow up all over again, though Ella is still very much her own person. She shares the same love for art as I do, but has twice the imagination. She is funny and has a giving heart, and is always excited to learn something new. Ella packs a big personality in her short little stature. From dancing around the living room, to her tell-all facial expressions, Ella too, is one of my best friends in life. Watching her and Kelsey grow up as both friends and sisters has been a beautiful thing. Life with the two of them has been an adventure to say the least, and I look forward to seeing where life takes them, as long as it doesn't take them anywhere too fast.
Kasey Wisner
Groomsman
I would like to start by saying I have admired Kasey since the day I learned he grew up with three siblings, all of them being girls. All joking aside, Kasey truly has a heart of gold. The devotion and unfaltering loyalty he shows his friends and family is nothing short of incredible. While Kasey is a hard working carpenter, the time and effort he puts into the physical and mental well-being of others is where he really stands out. Kasey is also one of the most resilient men I know. He tends to find himself at the wrong end of a lot of jokes, but he always keeps his head up and laughs right along. Whether it was potato guns in the barn, frogs over a camp fire, or singing the best rendition of Small Town USA at the Blue Room, Kasey has been the friend to me that I strive to be for others.
Courtney Blackwell
Junior Bridesmaid
Courtney entered my life when Ella entered Kindergarten. They became best friends, and she has pretty well become my third little sister. I see a lot of Abbi and I in their friendship, as she spends lots of time in our house with Kelsey and Ella. Courtney is always sure to come over for a sleep-over when I go home; she even keeps in touch with me every now and then while I am away too! She also has a kind heart, and sweet personality. She is creative, too. She is always doing crafts, or baking sweets. It makes my heart smile to see her and my sisters grow up together. That is why it is important to me that she stand up there with the rest of us. Just as with my own little sisters, I can't wait to see where life takes her; as long as doesn't take her too fast.
Justin Whelchel
Groomsman
Following the 5th grade, my whole world exploded when I found out that there was more to the life than just Converse. Now that the School District had consolidated, I made the trip to Swayzee to join the rest of the 6th grade students, and on the bus ride back from my very first day, I met Justin. From that day on he has been a constant in my life, through High School, College, and now into the work force, Justin has provided unwavering support in all facets of my life. During the ups, downs, and even some strange asides, Justin has been a guy I could always count on to give me sound advice. Although we don't get to pull all-nighters playing Halo or be a knight & squire at a medieval fair, I know there will be plenty of important moments that Justin will be a part of, like my wedding day.