Bridal Party
Bridesmaids
Best Man
Jubilance, effervescence, ebullient? These words are foundational to who Ben is—yet they’re the very ones he would have rolled his eyes at on a first-grade spelling test, promptly crossing them out and swapping in much more complex synonyms the teacher would have had to look up. If his dashing good looks don't win you over first, he will charm you with his exhaustive vernacular and vivacious personality. A loyal friend with a giddy spirit - Ben and Nathan go way back and have gotten through every season of life together. What could be more Iowan than cultivating a relationship while detasseling corn in the sweltering summer heat? From circumnavigating islands to discussing Russian literature to putting off LSAT studying the day before the test to jump out of airplanes, Ben's been a constant in Nathan's life for as long as he can remember and it's hard for him to imagine a life absent of such a deep and integral love. There's a saying the two like to speak of often - "you can't make old friends" - and Ben and Nathan surely are old friends.
Ben Louviere
Groomsmen
J Dawg - Tizzle - JT. JT and Nate Dawg (as JT calls him) began their relationship playing basketball together at the local rec center and with JT teaching Nate Dawg how to lift weights early in the morning before middle school. JT was quite literally Nathan's first mentor - showing him all the ropes as he navigated middle school and high school. What started as a 12 year old asking a 22 year old to show him how to get big muscles like him morphed into two best friends who jumped out of hot air balloons together, spent many nights drinking beers in the shed until the wee hours, and sharing a deep love of just "hanging out". Nathan is adamant there's no one more fun to have a chat with than JT and there's certainly no one who bears more wisdom. One of the greatest joys in life is experiencing a JT belly-laugh and if you have the privilege of having a bourbon county stout with him and hear someone tell the story of Mike Hoy calmly telling a skydiver to "cut away" while their parachute was wrapped around him, plummeting toward earth - you may just be lucky enough to witness it.Â
Jason Thompson
Shawny Mac became Nathan's home away from home immediately upon his arrival to the great Garden State. As a true Jersey native, Nathan learned everything there was to know about the new state he would reside in from Shawn. DTS, Taylor Ham, Calamad - you name it. Shawn and Nathan have spent every day together for the past five years - quite literally. If they're not at each other's hip in the office, you can catch them at a Broadway show, playing farkle on the porch while drinking a beer picked out by Shawn based solely on the highest ABV available, at a 6am breakfast that Nathan drug Shawn to on a work trip, or perhaps proving that time is more of a suggestion—flying to Epcot, drinking around the world, and making it home in time to sleep it off. Shawn is the wittiest lad this side of the Mississippi, the greatest gift giver known to man, and ultimately the most loyal friend on earth. He'll make sure to craft a pun in a situation you didn't even know a pun could be made, dance the hardest of anyone in the room, and cheer the loudest for his friends. Shawn's mother, Donna, a legend in her own, has made Nathan a pistachio cake every year on his birthday and this simple gesture is integral to Nathan's life.Â
Shawn McAteer
Kendal Smith
As fate would have it, Nathan and Kendal found themselves slightly faster than their peers, leading to them joining the University of Colorado Track Team and needing a new best friend upon their arrival in Boulder. That didn't take long. Spending every moment together, Nathan and Kendal found themselves inseparable over their four years on the front range. From long talks on the roof, hours spent playing Call of Duty, playing H.O.R.S.E every single day during COVID, and going through all the emotions during practice - Nathan is convinced he never would have made it through college without his good buddy Kendal. If you know Kendal, you know he's never said a negative thing about another human in his life and it's also likely you've caused him to laugh - and while it's not hard to get him to do so, it's the most pure feeling in the world. Kendal is the undisputed world's greatest penny boarder and dancer. And although he was born and raised in Colorado, his affinity for Busch Light will have you questioning if he's actually from Iowa.
Kellen Monestime
Nathan's roommate from the day he stepped onto campus in 2017. Living with Kellen for four years was paramount to Nathan's life. The two made a habit out of making breakfast together (Kellen making eggs while Nathan made pancakes) to the tune of 70s classics and talking to each other long after the lights had been turned off to go to sleep. Cute, I know. If you ever enter a gathering or bar hoping to speak to a cute girl, go ahead and throw that dream right out the window because she will just be hovered around Kellen begging for his attention. The man who can squat the world, grow the greenest garden, and beat you in Halo, is at his core, the best listener and most loyal friend known to man. There is nothing in the world quite like seeing a Kellen smile and he is sure to be the first to join you in whatever complex game you are attempting to figure out. If you ever have the privilege of seeing Kellen drink a couple more than a couple beers, you may just be lucky enough to witness him jump onto a very a tall object - a feat that may sound mundane at first but will end up having you say to yourself, "damn, that really was impressive".
Aaron McCoy
Aaron, the bravest lad of the Boulder boys - why? Because the boys would force Aaron to play horror video games throughout college while the rest hid behind their pillows, watching the spectacle like they were at the movie theatre. A tradition that lived on throughout all of undergrad. Aaron and Nathan found themselves on many dates throughout college, a joke that permeated throughout their time together - going to movies, spending evenings at Dave and Busters, or going on month long roadtrips throughout the country. Aaron and Nathan spent so much quality time together, there is actually a National Holiday named after them. This is true. It's October 9 and it's titled McHoy Day. Each October 9, the two would plan a legendary adventure and raise a glass to their friendship. In present days, each Saturday morning in the fall that Nathan wakes up early to watch College Game Day with a hot mug of coffee in his hands, there is a part of him missing and that's his good buddy Aaron.Â
Sam Ahrenholz
Sam - the adopted Hoy son. Sam became a part of the family in 2014, when an unlikely friendship commenced during one of the first Track practices of the season when the two bonded over a Taylor Swift song while doing hurdle drills. From that moment on, the two were inseparable. With their good buddy Hunter, the three spent most every evening at the Hoy's acreage around the bonfire and in the basement playing Call of Duty zombies until the sun came up. Although the two would find themselves skydiving together, slalom skiing in tandem, and embarking on epic road trips, the moments the two cherish the most are in a state of tranquility - amidst the beauty of a still, Iowa summer night around a fire - having a cheddar brat and deliberating philosophy. As Frodo Baggins once said, "I want to hear more about Sam. Frodo wouldn't have gotten far without Sam." And so it is - Hoy wouldn't have gotten far without Sam.
From elementary school to little league soccer, roommates in college to traveling the world together, Robin has been a cornerstone in Libby's life since she learned how to speak. Growing up within walking distance, the two grew up more similar to sisters than friends. Robin's effervescent and extraverted spirit has been the genesis of many adventures and outings together -- whether that be their annual jaunt to the renaissance festival, showing up boots on the ground at the Game of Thrones film site, hoisting liters of beer in front of them whilst competing at an Oktoberfest, or simply watching Robin charm an entire bar, fearless of anyone and anything. While she can befriend anything that breathes, her most admirable qualities rest within her loyalty and kindness. When you look up 'best friend' in the dictionary, a photo of Robin appears and it's hard for Libby to imagine a life without her. Through life's most wondrous ups and sobering downs, the two have been at each other's side through them all -- a reality that will last a lifetime.
Robin Tutchton
Maid of Honor
Growing up with Libby, Devon also served as a pseudo-sister throughout Libby's upbringing. While she chose to run track at the far inferior school up north, Nathan and Libby were still fortunate enough to get a whole lot of Dev time during their years in Boulder. When life starts to get a bit too stressful, Dev is the first to remind you that it's not that serious and instead, we should probably go have a drink and a laugh. A reminder that I believe is paramount to the fabric of humanity -- it's not that serious. Always a yes-friend, Devon will be the first to show up and the last to leave. Loyalty is ingrained within her DNA, and she would go to battle for her friends, no matter the opponent. Thankfully for Libby, Dev also grew up around the corner, and the two were able to experience life's roller coaster side-by-side. Dev encapsulates a number of characteristics that I believe would cure the world-- a childlike joy, an unwavering commitment to those she loves, and the belief that a state of youthful exuberance far outweighs the cyclical stresses that life can provide.Â
Devon Peterson
Valerie Welch
Growing up in Iowa herself, as fate would have it, it wasn't until 2017 that Val would meet Nathan. With Iowan blood pumping through their veins, Val and Nathan were inseparable throughout college and once Libby established herself as an honorary track member in 2019, she entered that equation as well. Once Libby entered the picture, it also helped debunk the common misconception that Nathan and Val were a couple - a theory that their collegiate track coach once even believed due to the amount of time they spent together. The three share a deep affinity for the same things - all things outdoors, type two fun, a cold beer in the perfect moment (although this took a good amount of training by Nathan throughout college), and hanging out as hard as possible with their best friends. Whether they are skiing in the Swiss alps, biking across Spain, drinking across Ireland, jumping out of old airplanes, getting sun burned while hiking 14ers, or inventing some new game to play - Libby and Nathan can agree on one thing - there is no friend in the world like Val and she is integral to every fiber of their being.
Bailey Steenekamp
It didn't take long for Hoy and Bai to become best friends from the moment they met at a Jr. High mission trip to Duluth, MN. Going to different elementary and middle schools, the only regret Hoy has in life is not knowing Bailey sooner. The two would find the majority of their high school days spent together camping at "their spot" on a sand bar in the woods despite Bailey's fear of the dark, going on late night drives, or sitting around the fire at the Hoy acreage drinking cream soda. Her family became his and his family, hers. On one of her annual trips to visit Hoy is Boulder, Bailey was introduced to Libby - Hoy's new love interest. Although Libby was perhaps skeptical that Hoy could be such good friends with another girl, she quickly understood why and embraced Bailey as her own. With luck on their side, Bailey and her husband moved to Colorado to overlap Hoy and Libby for a year and the four developed some of their most cherished memories together. Since then, Libby and Bailey morphed from good friends into family - and while sometimes jealous that the two spend time without him, Hoy can't help but beam with delight that his favorite people are also each other's favorite people.Â
Camille Torfs-Leibman
While Libby and Camille began medical school at Columbia at the same time, their true friendship commenced at a beer garden in Chelsea when Libby openly confessed her love for Camille and desire to become her friend. She had heard all these wonderful things about this Camille, and over a pint or two, quickly learned them to be of the utmost truth. Since then, the two found themselves inseparable as they navigated medical school. Through many early morning bike rides, cabin trips up north, playing running mom for Camille as she checks off marathons across New England, the two have taken advantage of all the Northeast has to offer all while simultaneously crushing medical school. Camille has stepped in as a sub for Nathan to be an acting ear for Libby to yap to after a long a long day and also a sub for Libby to take care of Nathan when Libby has spent months away for rotations. Life in NYC/NJ without Camille would have been drastically less fun and absent of so much love.Â
Valeria Jimenez
An immediate constant in Libby's life when she moved to the east coast, Valeria was one of the first to offer a friendly face and a cold beer. Her love for good bourbon also quickly cemented her relationship with Nathan. Libby had obtained a copy of a key to Valeria's apartment in record time, and the two began to cruise through medical school - trauma bonding and creating memories right out of the gate. Whether Libby and Nathan are taking Valeria to the beach, to a Ravens game, or travelling to Colombia together, the "mom and dad" relationship the three of them share is as strong as ever. With Libby pursing orthopedic surgery and Valeria pursuing cardiothoracic surgery however, it's not hard for Nathan to feel radically inferior when spending time with the two most badass people he's ever met. Make no mistake, when Valeria's not studying to become a world-renowned surgeon, she'll be the life of the party - dancing the hardest, leading the charge, and ensuring everyone is having the best night of their lives.
Emmie Gocke
When they produced the Dos Equis commercial portraying the "most interesting man in the world", they were actually referring to Emmie. Libby told Nathan immediately about Emmie before medical school even began, claiming that she might the coolest person in the world. It turns out, that claim was abundantly true. A native Wyomingite, Emmie grew up with the open country as her backyard, spending a lifetime chasing mountains, rivers, snow, and whatever type-two endeavor lay just beyond the horizon. Inevitably, Libby and Nathan made it their first priority to befriend this illustrious being. While there is nothing Emmie hates more than New York City, Libby and Nathan are grateful to have spent so much time with Emmie during her time there - albeit most of their time together was spent biking away from the city or escaping to the middle of a New England forest somewhere. There's no way to explain how different life would have been for Libby and Nathan had they not crossed paths with Emmie, however it surely would have consisted of far less hygge moments, miles ridden, and raw moments experienced with deeply loved people.Â
Meg Duzan
Libby's destiny as a surgeon was foreshadowed when Meg and Libby's high school soccer coach nicknamed them 'the surgeons' because they would cut up defenses together. Playing soccer with Meg since they were eight, they started as teammates and roommates on away trips and culminated with them as rivals when Libby went to CU and Meg went to Denver University. While Meg is gentle and quiet, her life has taken her on some wild adventures such as moving to LA for several months in high school to compete on the reality tv show, "Soccer Super Star", and moving to Nashville to pursue life as a singer-songwriter. A multifaceted talent, Meg has a knack for excelling at whatever she sets her mind to. While the two don't see each other near enough, each reunion feels like no time has passed and brings them right back to the old days. Every time Libby speaks to Meg, she awaits an exciting update as it seems her life is a never-ending movie. Libby is grateful for old friends like Meg who cherish time with loved ones above all else.
Bryce Kolthoff
The Big Monkey. The man you’re dying to sit around a fire with or belly up to a pub beside, simply sipping your drink and listening as he tells stories. Make no mistake, when it's time to pay the tab, he'll get up to pay and return with two pitchers of beer. You can catch his stand up special on Netflix in 2032, right after Hoy finally convinces him to fulfill his destiny in stand up comedy. Because the Big Monkey cherishes his time spent with his buddies far more than his health, it's often that when spending time with him, nights turn to mornings and sometimes, you may even lose a limb or break a bone - but it's all part of the plan. Whether Hoy and Bryce are at their annual Cubs game, floating on a lake somewhere, or grabbing a frosty or seven at Mulli's, the two, despite living states apart, find themselves together far more than some folks living in the same town do. The charm of the Big Monkey is undeniable and whether fortunate or unfortunate for Hoy, Libby's admiration for Bryce remains unparalleled. However, so does Hoy's.Â
Lauren Burgett
The greatest yes-friend the world has ever seen, Lauren is the glue of the friend group - consistently looking to spend time with the people she loves and concocting the greatest plans that nobody else has the attention span or skillset to create. With Libby's love language being quality time, she was immediately drawn to Lauren. Even while training 28 hours a day as a professional triathlete and simultaneously dominating medical school, Lauren always finds time for her friends - which has led Libby to believe that she has got her paws on the time turner that Hermione uses in Harry Potter. With Lauren also pursing orthopedic surgery, the two have been able to trauma bond and lean on each other throughout their entire time at Columbia, and Libby has cherished every phone call and venting session that has accompanied their shared pursuit. Lauren is the queen of thoughtful gestures, gifts, notes, and favors, and knowing and being loved by Lauren is the greatest gift of all.
Trying to articulate Libby and Nathan's admiration for Cory is a feat that I fear is unattainable. Nathan met Cory on his first day in Boulder when a stranger named Marshall threw Nathan a touchdown pass over a stranger named Cory on the Leeds Business field. Cory immediately became integral to Nathan's happiness in college and the two of them spent countless hours playing basketball, attempting to make the perfect bowl of oatmeal, seeing all their favorite bands, brewing beer, roasting coffee beans, and ultimately sharing immeasurable time together within quiet moments as the sun rose or set. They cherished cozy atmospheres, the company of a good friend, and the beauty of the world around them. Libby and Cory quickly joined forces and grew a special bond as neither of them necessarily enjoyed waking up early yet, without complaint, joined Nathan on numerous early mornings to eat breakfast at the Village, have coffee on the porch or go for a walk as the sun kissed the horizon. Nathan likes to think he helped condition and prepare the two of them as Libby now wakes up well before 0500 to be in the hospital and Cory is the father of two young children. The memories Libby and Nathan share with Cory -- whether they are comprised of traveling the world, standing beside him on his own wedding day, or simply screaming Tiny Moving Parts and Mom Jeans as loud as possible in the car are memories cherished beyond comprehension. Nathan and Libby love Cory Childs so much.
Cory Childs
Officiant
Joshua Nanke
Nathan's twin - in every facet of the word. Josh has known Nathan deeply for the past 27 years of his life. A cousin that acted more like a brother and an icon that Nathan aspired to be like since he could walk. Sharing the same love - or obsession rather - with early morning coffee on the porch (what they call banana land), cycling or skiing through the Northeast, and cozy environments - it's not hard to tell they were cut from the same cloth. Grandpa Larry genes that is. While the two tend to speak the same, dress the same and partake in the same activities, it's often that folks confuse the two for one another- a mistake that has always been the highest honor for Nathan. Being built-in best friends, Nathan and Josh frequently experience separation anxiety if they have not seen each other in over a month which is often cured immediately with a spontaneous skiing, hiking, or cycling trip where they will inevitably spend far too much money on an air bnb in the mountains and beer because "what if we don't have enough"?