Our adorable and brilliant niece/niece-to-be will be carrying/ throwing/dropping flowers down the aisle at the wedding. When asked what she would like people to know about her, she says, "Tell them I'm three years old and my room is pinkalicious!" I think she might be a little disappointed that her dress won't be pinkalicious, but getting to hang out with her favorite aunt Sarahs might make up for it.
sammy omernik
"Three-two-one, let it rip!" This is Sammy's catch-phrase of late for his sweet new set of Beyblades and who knows, maybe he'll intro the first dance too?! Our nephew/nephew-to-be is a camouflage-wearing, Lego-building, John Deere-bike riding kindergartner who loves to dance to "We found love" and "Call Me Maybe." Clear the dance floor everyone...he's gonna let it rip!
sarah rose's party people
justin rose
My ridiculously talented multi-lingual younger brother just moved back from adventures in saving the world in Guatemala. He has been one of my best friends since we used to unbuckle each other's seat belts in the backseat of our parents' minivan. I am thrilled to have him back from Guatemala and by my side on the big day. He's a wickedly talented writer as well, so get ready for a sweet speech.
haley (hunter) williams
Haley and I have been dear friends ever since she asked to use our (mine and Liz's) TV to watch One Tree Hill in college. And although I never let her forget that story, it was a friendship that would last much longer than the 47 minute teen saga. We have shared everything from tears to tequila and have stories to go with both. She is a blessing in my life and I wouldn't trade her for the world.
hanna hindin
Hanna is hilarious. Without a doubt, every interaction we have results in a belly laugh of sorts. She has such an awesome perspective on life and all of its quirks, that the people around her can't help be be drawn in. She has inspired me and made me laugh since we worked together on the orientation staff at St. Kate's. She will be joining us from her new (but not permanent, thank goodness!) home in Fort Worth, Texas for the wedding. Please help me convince her to move back.
molly sheahan
Molly Sheahan, English teacher extraordinaire, and I have been mostly inseparable since my first year of teaching at Edison High School. We were classroom-mates and besties within the first 8 hours of our first day. I have no idea what I would have done without her that first year (and ever since) and continue to be inspired by personality, humor and teaching on a daily basis. Plus, I get to be in her wedding in October.
liz (djerf) christianson
Even though she was afraid to meet me our sophomore year of college after a bad freshman year roommate experience, I somehow won over her heart and friendship. Though her college experience (nursing school, what?!) was a bit more challenging than mine, we have so many ridiculous memories of good old St. Kate's. She even helped me to achieve an important life goal: being really talented at getting my blood pressure checked. Ha! But really, she has always been a constant cheerleader in my life and I can't wait for her to bring her smile to our day.
kelly (clark) brabant
Kelly and I have been friends since we were mere babes and have grown up together through summers of daycare with my dad and her mom (oh man do we have stories) , a brief modeling stint at the Limited Too (okay, it was one day for like an hour), family vacations, Girl Scout Camp, and so much more. She has been a part of every part of my life since before I can remember and will be for years to come. She's also a party planning genius and has explained the "fine print" on more than one occasion in this process. You're the best, Kelly! (And I'll never get Brabant in my head...)
sarah omernik's party people
chandra nimz
Not only is Chandra my sylist, but is a dear old friend from my college days. She is the closest thing to a sister that I have had, and I am lucky to have her as my confidant and BFF 4 Eva.
stepnick
Gophers! Broomball! Trombone! Television! Sports! This is the vast history of me and my number one hang-out buddy, Stepnick. Through thick and thin, Gopher near-wins and colossal blowouts, marching band shenanigans and Rory Gilmore break-ups, Stepnick has always been a wonderful friend, faithfully laughing at all my jokes, whether they are funny or not.
justin grinage
If Sarah gets to have a brother named Justin, then so do I. Justin and I met as I was starting out my teaching career and I am forever grateful for the friendship that developed as we worked together to solve all of the world's ailments. He has always been there to celebrate when I am on top of the world and to help carry the burden when the world sometimes seems too heavy, and no matter what will be the one to stay and have one more drink in good times and bad.
kate nelson
Kate Nelson and I have been playing sports and drinking beer together for a long time.
chris baker
Chris Baker is a kindred spirit when it comes to all things hippie. He gets excited with me when I discuss solar power and metal roofs and will swap garden stories with me any day. The stars aligned when we sat next to each other during the first week of grad school (or was it the lack of deodorant that made no one else sit by us?...) and then again when we got to sit next to each other every day for the next few years because we both got our first teaching jobs at the same school. My first three years of teaching would have been much less enjoyable without my "work husband" by my side and I am thrilled to have him by my side once again for my special day.
john luukkonen
Another band friend from the U, John is the guy I can dream up podcasts and foreign adventures with, use tools and build fires with, or just enjoy a beer on a patio with; and he's a teacher to boot, so we always have one or two things to talk about.