Wedding Party
Tayler Jansen - matron of honor
Tayler and I met in our first few days at Central College somehow bonding over the common reading book all students were expected to read before starting classes (The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba). It took three weeks before we switched to become roommates. We shared clothes, shoes, gossip, YouTube videos of sloths and pretty much anything and everything in between. Even through the distance we can chat each others ears off for hours at a time whenever we're together.
Maria McMahan - bridesmaid
The true date and time I met Maria will probably never be known, but if one had to guess it was most likely at some point during organic chemistry. This doesn't really matter though. Without Maria, I would have probably never made it through O. Chem, P. Chem or any other lettered chem you can think of. Maria's impeccable hand writing and note taking got me through classes we didn't even take together. Cooper pairs (iykyk) and spirit animals (btw her husband, Donnie is officially my spirit animal-in-law). Maria is there for me through thick and thin. She and Donnie even came to Reno just to celebrate my birthday the first year we moved here.
Nicole Therrien - bridesmaid
Nicole and I met during pharmacy school our P1 year. Fast and instant friends, I felt like I've known Nicole FOREVER. Together our trio with Chetti, we traversed the Midwest for Kappa Psi Province Assemblies. There is literally no one else who I would want to willingly travel to Brookings, SD with. Nicole is the genuine, real deal who always finds the best in everyone and can make any grey day instantly brighter!
Amanda Larson - bridesmaid
Just across the hall. Amanda and I also met during our freshman year at Central College. Movie nights with tons of popcorn, Walmart runs for Hot Pockets in her minivan and any shenanigans we could get ourselves into made some of the best memories at Central. When I finally got to live in Michigan for a year, Amanda was only a couple of hours away, but COVID was awful and kept us separated the whole time (cue the crying). Despite that, any time spent with Amanda (even virtually) can instantly make my day better, and the fact that she's with me as I get married even more special.
One does not just meet Chetti and then forget. This girl makes her presence known and that's what I love most about her. Chetti and I met during our P1 year of pharmacy school. I quickly found out that Chetti will push your buttons, but in the best ways possible. She would break me out of my introverted shell and get me to actually network and socialize. She is always there for a phone call to rant and rave about anything that is going on. We also have the longest standing snap chat streak I've ever had so if we even go a day without some form of communication, I think I would be completely befuddled and lost. (And truthfully, I would probably think she's been injured or murdered so a freakout would then ensue and I would have to start contacting the authorities immediately.)
Francesca “Chetti” Milavetz - bridesmaid
One of my earliest memories with Calvin was selling Red Bulls at an East Village event back in middle school—though we definitely drank more than we sold! Calvin and I have followed similar paths over the years. From playing disc golf in high school (where we also played baseball) to throwing discs at Iowa State, where we both studied Agronomy, and then in Iowa City, where we lived and worked together at IDT. Whether it’s riding bikes, late-night gaming, or stress-watching the Cubs, we always find a way to have a good time.
Calvin Culp - Best Man
Tyler Benson - Groomsman
No one has endured my venting about trivial matters more than my brother—one of the many reasons I love him so much. He’s always been there to listen, and when I couldn’t find my voice, he would stand up for me. Not many people have the passion that my brother does. Even though I rope him into karaoke or 'accidentally' underestimate the length of a hiking trail, Tyler is always willing to join me.
Even though Connor and I went to the same high school, we really became close at Iowa State. From day one, we were up to no good—throw in our friend Marissa, and you never knew what kind of trouble we'd get into any night of the week. I’ll never forget our nights at Thumbs or watching the ‘Chicago Hockey Club’ trounce his Bruins. As adults, we’ve calmed down and now live on opposite sides of the Earth, but I can’t wait to celebrate together again.
Connor McBrian - Groomsman
Kris Jurgens - Groomsman
Kris and I met in high school, skateboarding and playing baseball together. Despite him being a (stinky) Packers fan, we still talk almost every day. We both left our first careers behind to become self-taught software engineers, and Kris has definitely had to put up with my venting about software, politics, family, sports—you name it, we’ve talked about it. It’s been incredible having someone I can always rely on, no matter what.
Parker Grimes - Groomsman
There’s no better adventure buddy than my guy Parker. You wouldn’t guess but we were beasts on the defensive line together on our middle school flag football team. Though we don’t hang out as often as we used to, we pick up right where we left off, even if it’s been a year. I’ve lost track of the nights we’ve spent camping, canoeing, or just relaxing on a nice patio, enjoying every moment together.