Lana & Jack
Wedding Party
Lana Nelson
Bride
Jack here...Lana wrote my description and I haven't read it yet but I guarantee you her description of me is definitely full of nonstop sarcastic remarks, so with me you can sit back and enjoy the sappy comments instead! Lana has the biggest heart of anyone I've ever met and is truly my best friend. Just within the 1st year of reconnecting and starting a relationship, she bought me tons of wonderful gifts and offered to move in with me in Iowa. I've NEVER had anyone be that nice to me, but I knew she was genuine, and still is! For everyone that truly knows Lana, you know she can be the class clown, but will absolutely throw a punch to defend the ones she loves. Lana Nelson is the best bride I could've ever picked, and I'm grateful for every day by her side. Let's raise a glass for the beautiful bride and cheers to many more years together. Love you Bub!
Jack Parkin
Groom
I mean I could write what a hunk and I think it would summarize him perfectly. I know you're still reading this though because you want to know the real Sparkin' Parkin. Yes the rumors are true, Lana got that stallion tamed. Don't compliment her yet though, Jack put up a real fight like buckin' bronco. Don't get me wrong, I just don't know who else I could trust enough to have as my forever date to UND alum parties, that shit is special yo. Speaking of special, did I mention I'm a pilot?! Lana may just be a flight attendant but UND still doesn't have a program for them yet, no wonder Lana is so special in a way your mom would say it to you after you got your first zit in middle school. Back to me though, I think what won Lana over was the time I took her up in a plane and gave her the most gorgeous tour of eastern Iowa...classic. Or maybe it was the time we were on our second date and I was admiring this gorgeous snake and meanwhile Lana was no where to be found...weird right? I mean how could I forget when I told everyone on a plane in high school not to say hi to me because my name is Jack. The list is endless, but you get the point, we are clearly made for each other. What's that quote again? "The engine is the heart of an airplane, but Lana is his soul." -Amelia Earhart, probably.
Tori Michelson
Maid of Honor
This gem of a human and I started a Denny's mug collection dating back to 2013, talk about a rare find. Speaking of rare finds, let me tell you how rare it is to find such a rockstar of a human that fortunately has helped the bride to be when it comes to adulting and just surviving as a human in general (I mean who else can a gal trust in Mexico while acquiring the color of a fresh lobster?). There has to be a reward for that right? Well if it's not rewarding enough, she certainly holds a crown when it comes to life in general, think Betty White but for millennials or the late Queen Elizabeth II, speaking of someone get Tori a crown? Honestly, you should come to the wedding just to meet her. If not, I hear the food is gonna be good.
Andrew "Simo" Simonson
Best Man
Flashback to January 2016: A handshake before an internship. A mutual agreement. UND hockey is on a tear. Jack and Andrew are thrilled; the rest is history. Fast forward to April 2016 and we're meeting in Tampa for the Frozen Four. Growing up, I never imagined having such a great guy friend to do crazy stuff together; let alone one from SoCal ;) Driving 5 hours to the Minneapolis airport on a Wednesday night AFTER bowling league was quite the experience. But for you (and UND hockey winning the National Championship) I'd do it over again in a heart beat. I've had some difficult choices in life but picking you as my best man has been one of the easiest. We've had some great experiences together in the past, and I can't wait to make another great memory together with you by my side on my wedding day!
Kallan Christman
Bridesmaid
This one flies a plane better than all of the people that wasted their money at UND, sorry boys. Somehow she pulled off the biggest miracle and dealing with Lana's nonsense since the ripe age of eight, don't worry I compensate Kallan in terrible jokes and great Office memes. If you need a travel companion that will go with you to Amsterdam for less than 24 hours, Kallan is the one, just ask her how many beverages were on our Delta One armrests combined. A perk of being her friend and planning a wedding is reenacting some scenes from Bridesmaids not because we think it's trendy, because we too are trainwrecks like most humans. Gobbless.
John Elliott
Groomsman
Noren Hall. 2013. 1st floor rainshowers. You remember it well. Out of everyone I've kept around in my life, you're one of my favorite friends who has showered me with love and support in all facets of life. I'm blessed to have you as a Groomsman on my wedding day! Watching you succeed at UND as a flight instructor, then Endeavor as a First Officer and a Captain, and now at United flying the 777, has been amazing and I'm so proud of your accomplishments! I'm grateful to have you as the guy to go to for a spontaneous trip to a Twins or Vikings game, even when they suck....which is a lot. Thanks for sticking around for the good and bad times, now let's party in South Dakota!
Dakota Quinn
Bridesmaid
Ask this woman what she wants for Christmas and if her answer is not two beta fish and a box of Cheez-Its, then it's clearly not 2010 and we're not in high school anymore...shoot :( Don't worry though, she will let you come and crash with her and will make you deviled eggs better than Lucifer himself. Speaking of cooking, this woman has blessed me with being my witness as I try and utterly failed at making grilled cheese. Don't worry we are both survivors (RIP Grilled Chz 2015-2015). Rather than being my rent a firewoman, she's quite frankly one of the best friends a person could have, and for inquiring minds, no fish were harmed in the making of this bio, maybe just our pride.
Jessica Rivas
Groomswoman
It turns out, you CAN make friends on Facebook! Jessica; thank you SO much for sticking around as one of my best friends of all time. Society views men and women as unable to be platonic but I'm so happy we've managed to create such an awesome friendship. I've seen you go through some terrible times in Pennsylvania to begin your career as an Air Traffic Controller, but I knew you would persevere! Seeing you succeed at St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands and get a chance to move to Puerto Rico in February is so exciting and I'm so extremely proud of you! Thank you for being by my side as I get married to Lana! If anyone could be the best groomswoman, it's you!
Ellie Fulton
Bridesmaid
If there is one reason I have a bachelor's degree, it is this woman and to be honest survived life in college in general. Although, I can write a mean research paper, give or take a tree or two. Don't worry though, Ellie and I taught each other some very important life lessons/hacks. For one, sit in the seat that you want at the game but pay for the cheapest seat, that way you too can see Kevin Love be the power forward of your dreams (please come back K dawg, MN misses you). Number two, "procrastination is the destination", say it in the mirror every morning until you finally stay up until 4am and write the Art History final until you too are one with the art. Ellie, if you're reading this, thank you for finding that ID for me, you da real MVP. Also, that dinner (yes THAT dinner) will forever live rent free in my mind just like I hope that sweater will never go out of style.
Michael Avila
Groomsman
SATCA. Dallas. 2013. What was I thinking?! Who knew a spontaneous decision to go to Texas my very 1st semester of college would result in such an awesome friendship! After seeing Fort Worth ARTCC I'm glad neither of us had to go that route. I'm so proud of your ability to deal with crappy coworkers to start your career in Air Traffic Control at Madison, and I'm really excited for you to succeed in Boston! Thank you so much for sticking by my side all these years, and I'm excited for you to be by my side as I marry Lana!
Katie Lafontaine
Honor Attendant
If there is one way to scare a human into liking you, I'm definitely not recommending being an RA, a terrible one at that. Yes, I too can be humble, can you blame me though? Free rent besides, who likes a snitch? Don't worry a hair on your head dear friends and family, Katie was the one that kept me fed with actual food, not ramen for ye of little faith. At this point in time I have recovered the recipe of mama Sharon's Chex Mix Potatoes - that I thought I was so sneaky about stealing, from a leftover container in college. (If you must know, YES, I inherited my iron stomach from my father and YES, my guilt took over and told Katie about stealing - karma had her back and I was told those leftovers were a lil' old.) We were (if you haven't figured it out by now, Sherlock) roommates back in college and that day we moved into that apartment, let me just tell you I had a fire safety class that day thanks to her father. Let's put it this way, "if Lana were an electrician..." that should tell you enough, those words should never belong together EVER again. If I haven't said it before, I will now, on behalf of the Nelson family, thanks for keeping her alive. Amen.
Nate Nickell
Usher
WHO'S HE. HE SUCKS...well, no...no he doesn't. The UND glory days were such a great time studying the mysterious ways of Air Traffic Control during the day and the Ralph on the weekends! Thanks for being such an awesome friend all these years, even if all of your plane spotting cameras put mine to shame! I can't wait to party hard at my wedding!
Destiney Larson
Honor Attendant
Voted Favorite Bartender by Lana herself, she also is an amazing lunch date and will share her shrimp fettuccine alfredo, you have to buy her a Jeremiah Weed and lemonade first. Speaking of food, she will take you on a hot sushi date and will even pick you up from the Watertown, SD airport...what a hunk. Don't worry she's great at bingeing terrible shows on Netflix with you too, Netflix and chill anyone? Don't be so hasty gentlemen, one at a time, get in line. Besides all of those amazing attributes, I'll conclude this amazing bio (if I do say so myself!) with a fun fact about Destiney, she can wrangle any cat that comes near her, watch out Joe Exotic, there's a new sheriff in town.
Dhruv Kalra
Usher
If I could pick anyone to team up with to fight the noobs on THEEEE Minneapolis/St. Paul Aviation Spotting Facebook page about the dumb specifics of aircraft, it's you! Dhruv I'm glad we've managed to keep in touch all these years, even if we were too proud to take our UND hockey jerseys off at UND Night at Target Field! Thanks for sticking by my side and correcting me on my incorrect interpretations of the 7110.65 while working at Waterloo ;)
Brittany Kaiser
Honor Attendant
If there is ever a time you are stuck in Sioux Falls, SD be sure it's with Brittany and that you can gift her some clothes that are two sizes too big, that way you can have some wine and be comfortable too (Praise sweet baby Jesus and the big one too!). I don't know what it is with me being scary (must've got it from my dad) but can y'all believe that Texan almost called off of work the day that we first flew together? I know, color me shocked, but yes, the rumors are true - the stars aligned and Brittany Leigh came to work and work, we did not. We instead have continued that trend and bond over making fun of pilots from UND, books (yes, she does know how to read), and my innate ability to overpack for anything (imagine an overstuffed calzone when it comes to our friendship). She keeps me humble and I continue to teach her how to read (I recommend Hooked on Phonics).
Dan Hesch
Usher
Springfest isn't complete without cowboy hats. 'Nuff said. Dan you've been an awesome friend ever since we started ATC classes together at UND and went on crazy duck hunts together! Thanks for keeping in touch all these years and talking smack about some of the weird antics our coworkers would pull at work! I can't wait to have you at our wedding!
Brett Borowicz
Usher
Brett, if there's anyone I can go to for random NCAA basketball facts, it's you! I'm glad we became friends so fast back during ATC classes at UND and I'm grateful for our friendship! Thank you so much for sticking by my side and I can't wait to party together at my wedding!