The Bridal Party
It's called a "party" for a reason, right?
Kelly Polnaszek
Kelly is my sister and one of my best friends! She is an incredible servant, my go-to friend for so many things, and this girl can bake. We have walked side-by-side through so many of life's adventures. She got married last August to her husband, Ethan and is currently working on her PhD at Loyola Univeristy.
Katie Brandstatt
Katie is also my sister and another best friend. Everyone needs someone like Katie in their life. She is hilarious, passionate, and always up for an adventure. She is rocking her job as a customer service representative and always adding to her vintage book collection. Katie is my favorite person to go shopping with because she is way more stylish than me.
Courtney Tewalt
Kodee Wright
Kodee and I have been friends since early college and is one of the only roommates I have ever had. Kodee's passion for Christ and for living a meaningful life have always challenged and encouraged me. She has read more books than you can count. Kodee is working at Drake University and changing the world of higher education, one student at a time.
Courtney is that best friend that few people find who just understands you. She has the amazing ability to cry with you and to empathize with any situation. She has been such a constant friend for the past several years. Courtney lives in CO with her husband, Collin, but remains one of my truest friends. I'm thankful that to visit her also means to visit the beautiful mountains!
Jackie Wallentin
Kelly Linde
Kelly and I have been friends since she came to Drake in 2009. She has become one of my closest friends and has been a support through so many ups and downs. Kelly makes my life so much fun and always exciting. She is the best middle school math teacher ever and is making a huge impact on so many lives every day.
Jackie went from being a friend of a friend to one of my best friends in such a short time. We have gone on many road trip adventures and have talked through so many areas of life. I can always count on Jackie to give an honest and thoughtful answer. Jackie is a talented journalist and designer who is using her talents at our church in awesome ways!
Gretchen Clark
Gretchen and I have been friends since we were young kids. Gretchen is the reason I survived junior high as we went through the awkwardness by filling journals with letters to each other. Gretchen is so much fun and her passion for people and life push me to reach my goals. Gretchen lives in Chicago after recently returning from being an au pair in Spain.
Christina DiVito
There is not one year of my life that I can remember without Christina. We have gone on vacations, had countless sleepovers, and gone to many Clay Aiken concerts. This girl has been my most loyal friend and I am so thankful that our friendship continues on. She is working as a social worker in Illinois and is passionate about the lives of the kids she serves.
Emily Pomasl
Emmy and I met over volleyball but our friendship became so much deeper during our first year at Drake. She has been the most consistent example of living a life of faith that I have seen and I am so thankful for her faithfulness to me. Also, this girl is too much fun. Emily recently moved to Kansas City and is pursuing her passions in a brand new city!
Meredith Bell
Meredith and I met in the bathroom at freshman orientation and it was the start of a wonderful friendship. Mer tells the best stories and makes us laugh all the time. She is the biggest servant I know and challenges me to love people more and more. Meredith works as an ESL teacher in Des Moines and goes way above and beyond her job description to serve people in this role every day.
Amelia Gibson
Amelia and I met the summer before junior year and haven't looked back. We got to serve in the same small groups through the rest of college and create tons of memories. I love just getting to talk through things with Amelia and get her wise advice. Amelia works for a non-profit organiztion in Des Moines and is passionate about bettering the lives of young children.
Sasha Van Sickle
Sasha was one of the first people I met in college and she has remained a wonderful friend and example for me. Sasha is one of the most committed and passionate people I know and I have learned so much from her. Sasha works with college ministry at Drake and is a wonderful wife and mother to her two beautiful daughters.
Collin Cameron
Kyle Shattuck
Collin and I go back to our freshman year at Drake. Through the years we have lived life closely with each other and have experienced the ups and downs of life together. Collin's faithful friendship and encouragment is such a blessing.
I could not be more proud of my little brother. I am thankful for his love of the Lord and for me. He is not a groomsman just because he is my brother, but because he is a man I respect and who has positively impacted my life.
Jon Heggestad
Phil Cooper
Jon and I met our freshman year at Drake. Jon is one of the most fun and cool people I know. Jon has shown me much grace and forgiveness over the years, especially when we lived together for 4 of them. It has been an honor serving the Lord together.
Phil is a great friend. He is loyal, kind, dependable and generous. We’ve been friends since our freshman year at Drake. Even though he avidly cheers for the Hawkeyes, we’ve remained really close by leading small groups together, going on mission trips and road trips together.
Jon Touchette
Jon is one of the most passionate and hardworking guys I know. We met at Drake and I am blessed to call him my friend. Jon is a man I respect for his godly example in so many areas.
Mitch Lefebvre
Brian Brandstatt
Mitch will be my last roommate before I get married. We met my sophomore year at Drake. I am thankful God gave me such a caring and empathetic friend. Mitch and I enjoy cheering for Minnesota sports together and playing FIFA.
Brian and I have been friends for about a year. He is a super cool guy. We enjoy talking about how the Blackhawks beat the Wild in the playoffs and how he can bench 100 lbs more than me.
Cole Meyers
Cole and I met my freshman year at Drake when we went on a road trip to San Antonio with guys from church. He was my group leader on our mission trip to Barcelona in 2010. He is currently my small group leader at church and I am thankful for his wisdom, compassion and faithfulness in my life.
Billy Boyle
Billy and I have been friends for a couple of years. We currently serve together volunteering with Youth for Christ. We are also in the same small group at church encouraging each other to pursue the Lord. Billy is a genuine friend who I respect very much.
Michael Fetters
Michael and I have been friends since 2012. You can often find us singing along to “I Can Only Imagine”, eating ice cream at McDonald’s or enjoying “bro-time” at the pool. I am thankful for Michael’s willingness to serve and caring spirit.
Jacob Repp
Jacob and I have been friends since my sophomore year at Drake. We have taken road trips and led a small group together. I am thankful for Jacob’s transparency and passion to worship Jesus. I am also thankful for Jacob’s faithful friendship through the years.
Drew Foster
Drew and I have been friends since my sophomore year at Drake. We have spent many semesters serving the Lord together while in the same small group at Drake. I have been blessed by Drew’s hard work, perseverance and faithfulness over the years.
Personal Attendants & Ushers
Megan Kassmeier
Megan and I have lived together twice and I am so thankful for her friendship! You can always count on Megan to jump on board with any crazy plan or just to sit with you while you work late at night. Megan works for a non-profit organization in Des Moines and is one of the most passionate and talented women I know.
Chelsea Swanson
Chelsea and I have been friends since my sophomore year in college and we could write a book about all of the weird things we have done together. Whenever I have a task that seems impossible to do, Chels is the girl I call. She is one of the most selfless people I know and pours her life into the lives of others. Chelsea works for a non-profit organization in DSM where she serves pregnant young women.
Crystal Tull
Crystal Kay Tull has become of my dearest friends and I could not be more blessed than to have her. She is so gentle and one of the most genuine people I know. She relates to people so well and that's why so many people call her a best friend. Crystal is finishing her last year in pharmacy school and is ready for the next adventure coming her way!
Allison Young
Allison and I have been friends since we were in the same small group in 2011. She has taught me so much about serving people and pursuing your dreams. We have spent many nights baking, cooking, or playing basketball and I love all of the memories we have. Allison is working for John Deere in DSM and is one of the most driven women I know. I am so proud of her!
John Beyer
John Beyer is one of my most talented and gifted friends. He is an incredibly intelligent pharmacist and works very hard at all he does. We got to know each other when we served together as small group leaders for a year and I am thankful for his fun and caring spirit.
Jason Hermanson
Jason is a great friend. Jason has let me come over to watch many games at his wonderful house with a great TV. I am thankful we've had the chance to become friends through our small group and volleyball team.
Lawrence Hii
Josh Lee
Josh and I have been friends since his freshman year at Drake in 2011. We have made many fun memories togther in small groups at Drake. I am thankful for Josh's eagerness to serve the Lord and be a Christ-like example.
Lawrence is a faithful, fun and overall awesome guy. I am thankful that I get to serve alongside him in our small group and experience the love of Christ through his life.
JacobVan Sickle
Mike Wendlandt
Mike and I have been friends since his freshman year at Drake in 2009. I've been blessed to be in small group with Michael and live with him. We have enjoyed calling games on the radio, playing football and playing basketball together over the years. I am thankful for Michael's fatihful friendship.
Jacob and I met in 2008 at Drake. I am thankful for Jacob's faithful friendship and godly example over the years. I have been greatly blessed to serve the Lord alongside Jacob. He is gifted in many ways and a wonderful father.