Marc & Sam
Wedding Party
Ryan Fletcher
Best Man
Ryan and I have been best friends since we first stepped foot onto Grinnell's campus for football training camp in 2007 (1 week before Ryan met his future wife, Claire, the wedding I predicted). We lived together for 5 years, making pit stops in Rose 2nd, where Chris Bylone told us our room was "too messy to inspect;" to White House with the Cheeses, where we strengthened our immune systems with black mold, Keystone light and 5 of the grossest couches anyone has ever seen; to Chicago, where I lived in a closet and our toilet was literally out in the center of the bathroom. We became regulars at a bar (Shout out to Jack and Gingers, best bar in the universe), survived Country Thunder and proved to the world (or the 50 fans at our games) that we weren't terrible at football.
Rachel Ronald
Matron of Honor
Rachel is my younger sister. You may know her as Pookie. She's been a constant source of love and joy throughout my life. She's endured a lot of sister shenanigans from me, including being my pet dolphin for a while. I would sit on the side of our pool with a bag of Goldfish crackers, and if Rachel's dolphin tricks were up to par, I would drop a Goldfish in her mouth. Somehow she still loves me? She's kind and she's brave. I couldn't imagine this day without my Pookie by my side. She's also a pretty bomb pastry chef, and will be making our wedding cake!
Deva Bonnel
Best Man
Deva and I have known each other since Pre-K. His house was the first friend's house I ever went to. After Pre-K we went to different schools until high school, where we reunited and donned the black and gold. Deva was my partner in crime when it came to yelling at basketball games. We both enjoy playing disc golf (Deva is better) and Fantasy Football (ask Deva how many championships he has and how many I have).
Ellie Thompson
Maid of Honor
I moved to Kansas City as an incoming sixth grader in 2001. The first person who rang my doorbell was Ellie, a fellow sixth grader who lived down the street. She introduced herself and invited me to play croquet. I'm pretty sure that's the only time I've ever played croquet in my life, but Ellie and I have been best friends ever since. We've shared many years together, some of our most awkward and some of our best. We may have peaked in seventh grade with the launch of the SME show, our very own spin-off of All That. If only I could find those videos. Ellie is goofy, brilliant, and incredibly loyal. We share a love for science. And Taco Tuesday.
John Hereford
Groomsman
Johnny "2 Guns" Hereford and I met on my prospee visit to Grinnell. John walked me back to the dorm I was staying in after my host left me at a party. I ended up at Grinnell, and John and I became fast friends. John is another member of the Cheeses, the football family that lived in White House '09-'10. We've watched all 3 extended editions of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy back to back to back, enjoy challenging each other to games of NFL blitz on N64 and pretty much anything else that a regular person would consider nerdy.
Hillary Locker
Bridesmaid
Hillary and I met while studying abroad in Madrid during the summer of 2010. We immediately realized our kindred spirits for adventure. We gallivanted around Portugal and ate our way through Italy together. We have been soul sisters, and pizza connoisseurs, since that trip. In the true spirit of adventure, we shared a trundle bed senior year of college (Yes, Hillary slept in a drawer for an entire year. When we were 22.). She's full of spunk, love, and wisdom.
Chad Christoff
Groomsman
Chad and I also met on my prospee visit to Grinnell. Chad was wearing his sweatpants inside out and looked like Nick Swardson. Chad is another member of the Cheeses, the football family that lived in White House '09-'10. When I proposed to Sam at Winter Park, Chad and his girlfriend Nina hid amongst the crowd and took amazing pictures of our engagement. Chad was nice enough to let Sam and I live with him for a whole month while we were rotating in Denver this past September. The only downside to this was that Chad only owns four forks, and there were three of us living there.
Rachel Allen
Bridesmaid
As fate would have it, Rachel and I were placed in the same medical school small group at the beginning of first year, where we realized we enjoyed laughing (and complaining about school) together. We were "lotteried" to Wichita together for third year. I don't think I would have survived that year in Wichita without Rachel. She's been an abundant source of support and encouragement throughout medical school, and never fails to make me laugh. Rachel keeps me up to date on pop culture, and I teach Rachel about "outdoorsy and hipster things."
William Marshall
Groomsman
William and I met during basketball camp before freshman year of high school, and also played freshman football together. During high school he was better known as Squilliam, Squillmizard, Billiam, Wiggles or literally any other name we could come up with. William likes to brag about the fact that he started over me during freshmen football and famously convinced half the Grinnell football team that he was a recruit who was going to come in and take my spot on the team. We've spent a lot of time playing poker and disc golf. William is the creator of our Kubb set, a lawn game that will be featured at the wedding. You better start practicing your Kubb game.
Libbie Adams
Bridesmaid
Lib and I met in sixth grade, and she's been one of my closest friends ever since. We've shared adventures across the US and beyond, from a trip to the South of France during the height of our awkward middle school years to getting ejected in a Class V river rapid together in Colorado a few summers ago. My first-ever trip with Marc was to Breckenridge for a conference. Lib had just moved to Colorado, and met us for a couple days of skiing. A few years later on another ski trip to CO, Libbie was there when we got engaged! Lib is full of life, energy, and the best ideas.
Taylor Obley
Groomsman
Tay and I went to school together from Kindergarten through senior year of high school, and he has been one of my closest friends through it all. Taylor, William, Deva and I have shared a group message ever since I grew up and got an iPhone. Taylor has always been the level-headed friend who would calm Deva and I down. Taylor moved to Florida and then to Portland but we continue to stay in touch.
Kelsey McCarthy
Bridesmaid
Kelsey and I were roommates sophomore year of college in a dorm room commonly known as Club 2-1-2. We've shared many antics together, including our first-ever backpacking trip to the Great Smoky Mountains. When we moved in together, I knew I liked her. However, it was the first time her alarm went off to the tune of "My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard" that I knew I loved her. She's genuine, determined, and has a huge heart. You've probably heard her referred to as KRob. Oh, and her family hosts the best tailgates. #BoilerUp
Jason Edwards
Groomsman
My friend Jason (or Emily's husband). I would say that Jason has been the brother that I always wanted, but let's be honest - Emily stole that role from him a long time ago. Jason and I met several years ago at one of his dental school parties and I knew right away that him and I were going to be great friends. During football season we probably text more than he and Emily do. Jason and I enjoy tasting whiskey, playing Mario Kart and battling each other in lawn games.
Emily Heronemus
Bridesmaid
Emily is Marc's older sister. I remember being nervous to meet her early in Marc's and my relationship. Marc's friend Deva told me, "don't worry. She's basically a girl version of Marc." That's actually pretty accurate. She's a blast, she's smart (even if she is a "gypsy magic doctor"), and she made me feel like part of the family immediately. We enjoy destroying Marc and Jason in Catan. Khaleesi is comin' to Westeros!
Veezy F Baby
Usher
Please say the Baby or just don't say it at all. Veezy and I went to Grinnell together. Veezy didn't live in White House, but he was an honorary Cheese (Hippies Use Back Door). Veezy once hosted my sister and I at the College World Series to watch Clemson play, and it was a time I'll never forget. We love cheering on Grinnell Basketball, fake wrestling and settling the great nation of Catan.
Tori Sabatini
Reading
Tori and I met in sixth grade. She's one of the kindest, most genuine friends I have ever had. In high school we lovingly referred to her as "Mama Tor," as she's always been the voice of reason when some of us have had less-than-stellar/safe ideas. But don't get me wrong - Tori loves adventure. Some of my favorite memories involve trips with Tori - her visiting Purdue for my 21st birthday, exploring Seattle together, and visiting her in her new Boston home.
Tony Harrington
Usher
Tony and I met in med school. We are still friends despite the fact that he wants to be a Neurologist. He has been a great study partner, keeping me accountable, and is always available to throw questions off of. We led a monthly review session together and actually did some teaching in between jokes. He's been a great friend outside of school as well, being our class's unoffical social chair and making sure that myself and other med students relax every once and a while.
Hannah Dalbey
Reading
Hannah and I also met in sixth grade. We've bonded over many late night life chats on the floor of her childhood room and more recently on the couches in her sweet loft downtown KC. Something I've always appreciated about Hannah is that she's a deep thinker and asks questions that challenge me. We also have a unique ability to make each other laugh hysterically, most of the time at things that other people do not find funny (why don't people think we're funny?). She's feisty, honest, and wise.
Ben Johnson
Usher
Ben, the original and cheesiest of all the Cheeses and I met my freshmen year at Grinnell. Ben was also a defensive back so went spent a lot of time together in meetings and at practice. We once spent an entire weekend trying to convince people that, if you lost a toenail, your kids had a 50% chance of being born with only 9 toenails. Also, Ben is probably best known for his ability to make White Cheddar Mac and Cheese.
Katie Glueck
Greeter
Katie is also a member of the friends-since-sixth-grade crew. You've probably heard me brag about Glueckers before. That's because she's frequently interviewed on national TV, and makes me feel cool by association. Her drive has always inspired me. During summers in high school and college, Glueck would be off at some competitive journalism program while the rest of us were doing who knows what back in KC. In addition to being one of the most hard-working people I know, she's also a ton of fun, and a steadfast friend.
Aaron Epps
Ball Boy
Aaron, or AE, and I also met during our freshman year at Grinnell. I don't have a distinct memory about how we met, but I do remember all of our Lost watch parties, the cooler die games, the trips to Country Thunder, and the largest-ever bid at Block Party Auction for our homemade dinner. Now AE and I enjoy discussing the subtle differences between various IPAs.
Alexandra Cagle
Greeter
Another member of the friends-since-sixth-grade crew, Alexandra and I have had endless laughs together, including on several family Spring Break trips growing up. She particularly loves it when I convince her that a chairlift services green/blue runs when, in fact, it does not. I've attempted to help Alexandra with her navigational skills for many years, but to no avail. She's never been great with directions (pretty terrible, actually), which I've always found particularly hilarious because she's truly one of the most intelligent people I know. She lives the farthest from me now, and I miss her terribly! But each time I see her, it's as if no time has passed since we were together last. She's caring, she's brilliant, and she cracks me up.
Scott Kaitz
Ball Boy
Guess where and when Scott and I met? If you said during our freshmen year at Grinnell then you would probably be correct. We lived on Rose 2nd together during our sophomore year but became much closer friends during our senoir year. Scott ended up moving just down the block from Sam in KC, so we have had lots of fun hang outs in the last couple of years including being named the Shawnee Mission Beach Volleyball Club Tuesday 8:00pm B league Champions, eating Biz Jalapeno chili, and enjoying Tailgate Christmas. All of these pale in comparison to the fact that Scott is owed 30% credit for Sam and my relationship. Scott and Molly hosted a Friendsgiving party which ended up being Sam and my first date. He claims he called it long before that though.
Jill Grothusen
Officiant
I first met Jill during orientation for medical school. I remember seeing her shoes and asking if she was a runner. "Not really," Jill said, "I'm more of a tri-athelete." "Oh cool. What kind of triathlons do you do?" "I've done a few IronMans." "Oh." ... if this girl isn't a runner then what am I?! That first conversation embodies Jill: amazing and humble. She's been a close friend throughout medical school. Needless to say, Jill is an inspiration to me. She's an outstanding mom, doctor, and athlete. AND she's ordained?!
Adam McCann
It's a Suprise
Adam is a med school friend who is also a Shawnee Mission Beach Volleyball Club Tuesday 8:00pm B league champion. We met at our first post-test party. There, Adam asked me, "Are you the Lord of the Rings guy?" Little did I know he was also a Lord of The Rings guy. We have bonded over disc golf, bike rides and complaining about medical school.
Craig Locker
Also a Suprise
Despite frequently referring to Craig as my cheetah sister, I'd say he's the brother I never had. He's married to my soul sister, Hillary, and I was their permanent third wheel for quite a few years. You know how it's really awkward to be the third wheel for some couples? This is not one of those couples. Craig and I feed off of each others' energy and dreams, including designing the ideal hostel, planning the wood-fired pizzeria we'll open some day, and pulling off the best rooftop party Lafayette has ever seen (we actually did that one). He's creative, caring, and hilarious. Next time you see him, ask him to sing my favorite song.
Otto Locker
"The Football"
Otto is our newest and tiniest friend/cheetah nephew!