Plains Art Museum

Rehearsal dinner

Wedding Day

Guest Transportation to Plains Art Museum

Ceremony

Social Hour

Dinner

Dancing

End of Night Transportation

Fall

Our Wedding

This article is written from the perspective of Carson. I would like to thank Carlee for being an excellent editor by telling me which parts to throw out for either being overly saccharine or just plain stupid.&nbsp; Much to the chagrin of humanity, the life of an average human is anything but linear. Despite most folks' best efforts to plan and control their destiny, the reality is that life is more of a “ride” that we cannot escape from and only have tenuous control over. When I reflect back on how Carlee and I met, I often ponder the above couple of sentences. It’s amazing, and frankly incomprehensible, how an innumerable set of life choices and events, some small and some large, culminated somehow in our lives becoming entangled. Frankly, if I think about it too much, it makes me nauseous, as one single changed decision in my past life could easily have derailed the chain of necessary events that led me to typing out this sentence in my shared home with Carlee (and “our” dog Vada).&nbsp; With that being said, let’s ditch my existentialist musings and move on to what you (the reader) are actually here for: how we met. But first, let’s get some boring facts out of the way. I was born and raised in Zap, ND (check out our Wikipedia page) and attended North Dakota State University where I obtained my Doctor of Pharmacy degree in 2019. I elected to pursue additional post-doctoral training and matched with the pharmacy residency program at Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato, Minnesota. Carlee is a native to Mankato and attended Minnesota State University - Mankato where she obtained her BS in Exercise Science and later her MS in Exercise Physiology. During these college years, she worked as a pharmacy technician at the local hospital to pay her way through college where I was concurrently completing my training. Naturally, as my training was mainly in acute care, I spent 97.3% of my time at the hospital. And, while I would like to wax poetic on how there was an instant connection, the reality is that I had little on my mind besides work. Anyone who has completed advanced training in the medical world can attest to how grueling and “all-consuming” it is. I was entirely focused on simply surviving day-to-day rather than fostering any sort of new relationship. Still, despite my sleep deprivation and general curmudgeon attitude that year, I do recall thinking how cute and goofy she was. Despite her own busy life, she always came to work with a good attitude and overall lifted up our department’s morale. As cliche as it may sound, she wasn’t like many other girls I had met in my life. Her sense of humor bordered on the absurd (definitely a positive in my book) and had this personal confidence in who she was.&nbsp; Fast-forward to the summer of 2020, despite the world (literally) falling apart everywhere, I was able to land a full time position at the hospital I trained at. With my mind less occupied with work, I was able to be more of myself and we built up somewhat of a rapport with each other (as two compatible single people in close proximity naturally do).Then, on a fateful night in the middle of February 2021, Carlee, being the woman of action that she is (and probably correctly ascertaining that I was too nervous to ask her out), gently floated the idea that we should hang out sometime. I am told this decision was made with a little bit of “liquid encouragement” at the time.&nbsp; Now, to be clear, there was an element of danger to her suggestion. In many ways, given she was a pharmacy technician and I a pharmacist, I was essentially her boss. She practiced under my license and I was legally responsible for the quality of her work. So, naturally, the ramifications of fostering a workplace romance certainly came to mind. What would my (well, “our”) employer think? Or my co-workers? Was such a relationship even legal, or kosher with company policy? But, and I hope this doesn’t come off as too macabre, at that time we were surrounded by death and uncertainty. I had witnessed the deaths of many people (some even my age) and it truly put things into perspective. Tomorrow is never guaranteed. A person can do “everything right” and circumstances beyond their control could still completely destroy them.&nbsp; I momentarily let these thoughts rattle around in my mind. But, I eventually landed on the only reasonable answer: “fuck it, sure.” Then, as they say, the rest is history.

Our Story

Photos

Once upon a time Jess was walking her Majestic dog Kye and heard yelling in the distance. Jess and Kye ran toward the noise to find Carlee battling a fierce barbel dragon. Jess picked up a kettlebell and yeet’d it at the dragon. As a team and little effort they slayed that barbell dragon under the time cap! 

Jessica Stensland 

Much&nbsp;like&nbsp;Carson,&nbsp;I&nbsp;was&nbsp;blessed&nbsp;to&nbsp;meet&nbsp;Carlee&nbsp;during&nbsp;my&nbsp;pharmacy&nbsp;residency&nbsp;training.&nbsp;I&nbsp;moved&nbsp;from&nbsp;Iowa&nbsp;to&nbsp;Mankato&nbsp;during&nbsp;early&nbsp;COVID.&nbsp;The&nbsp;outlook&nbsp;for&nbsp;friends&nbsp;was&nbsp;bleak,&nbsp;but&nbsp;at&nbsp;least&nbsp;I&nbsp;was&nbsp;working&nbsp;full&nbsp;time&nbsp;during&nbsp;a&nbsp;pandemic.&nbsp;Thankfully,&nbsp;Carlee&nbsp;took&nbsp;me&nbsp;under&nbsp;her&nbsp;wing.&nbsp;They&nbsp;say&nbsp;how&nbsp;you&nbsp;do&nbsp;one&nbsp;thing&nbsp;is&nbsp;how&nbsp;you&nbsp;do&nbsp;everything.&nbsp;This&nbsp;couldn't&nbsp;be&nbsp;more&nbsp;true&nbsp;for&nbsp;Carlee,&nbsp;as&nbsp;she&nbsp;gives&nbsp;100%&nbsp;to&nbsp;all&nbsp;areas&nbsp;of&nbsp;her&nbsp;life&nbsp;and&nbsp;those&nbsp;she&nbsp;cares&nbsp;about.&nbsp;That's&nbsp;how&nbsp;it&nbsp;feels&nbsp;to&nbsp;be&nbsp;her&nbsp;friend.&nbsp;I&nbsp;wanted&nbsp;to&nbsp;dye&nbsp;my&nbsp;hair?&nbsp;Carlee&nbsp;curated&nbsp;and&nbsp;printed&nbsp;an&nbsp;entire&nbsp;book&nbsp;of&nbsp;options&nbsp;for&nbsp;me.&nbsp;I&nbsp;needed&nbsp;a&nbsp;cat&nbsp;sitter?&nbsp;Carlee&nbsp;made&nbsp;it&nbsp;her&nbsp;mission&nbsp;to&nbsp;befriend&nbsp;my&nbsp;cats.&nbsp;I&nbsp;wanted&nbsp;to&nbsp;move&nbsp;back&nbsp;to&nbsp;the&nbsp;Twin&nbsp;Cities?&nbsp;Carlee&nbsp;helped&nbsp;me&nbsp;prepare&nbsp;for&nbsp;interviews.&nbsp;These&nbsp;are&nbsp;just&nbsp;a&nbsp;few&nbsp;of&nbsp;my&nbsp;examples,&nbsp;as&nbsp;I'm&nbsp;sure&nbsp;many&nbsp;of&nbsp;you&nbsp;reading&nbsp;can&nbsp;think&nbsp;of&nbsp;times&nbsp;Carlee&nbsp;has&nbsp;gone&nbsp;above&nbsp;and&nbsp;beyond&nbsp;for&nbsp;you.&nbsp;She&nbsp;is&nbsp;caring,&nbsp;funny,&nbsp;and&nbsp;authentically&nbsp;herself.&nbsp;As&nbsp;a&nbsp;friend&nbsp;of&nbsp;Carlee,&nbsp;and&nbsp;a&nbsp;former&nbsp;work&nbsp;colleague&nbsp;of&nbsp;Carson,&nbsp;I'm&nbsp;so&nbsp;excited&nbsp;to&nbsp;celebrate&nbsp;The&nbsp;Reinhardts!Thank&nbsp;you&nbsp;to&nbsp;ASHP&nbsp;Resident&nbsp;Matching&nbsp;Program&nbsp;and&nbsp;Mayo&nbsp;Clinic&nbsp;Health&nbsp;System&nbsp;-&nbsp;Mankato&nbsp;for&nbsp;bringing&nbsp;Carlee&nbsp;and&nbsp;I&nbsp;together!

Madison Fazio

Carlee and I first crossed paths almost ten years ago, at Fitness for 10 in Mankato, and from the moment we met, I knew she was something special. With her spunky, outgoing personality and infectious energy, she made everyone around her feel like they belonged. I admired her drive and dedication, and I quickly learned that she works harder than anyone I know — pushing herself and inspiring others to do the same.Through the years, Carlee has shown me what true kindness and loyalty look like. She’s thoughtful, always putting others first, and has a heart that’s bigger than words can capture. I feel incredibly lucky to call her one of my best friends. Being able to stand by her side and share in this special moment is a privilege I’ll cherish forever

Samantha Wahlstrom

Carlee and I met at Fitness for 10 in 2017 and it was magical. We did not talk to each other for the first several weeks but our connection was undeniable. We matched each other's energies with strange looks and goofy hand and body gestures. One may say it was love at first sight, but not as strong of love as she has for Carson. The light in her eye when she looks at him is
unmatchable. Sam, another bridesmaid, Carlee and I all had motorcycles at the same time for a brief time. We felt it mandatory to have matching leather pants and The Lady Gang was born. My life is fuller with Carlee and Carson in it, congratulations!

Brooke Olson

Hi, I’m Jess, sister to the bride. My favorite memory with Carlee (&Carson) was being their Maid of Honor and watching them get married in October 2023.

Jessica Schaffer


My favorite memory with Carlee is from my very first day of college. I already knew where my classroom was, but I was determined to make a friend. In front of me was this brightly colored backpack, and I hoped the girl wearing it would be in my class. Every turn she made matched my own—I started to feel a little creepy, but the truly creepy part was still to come.



When she walked into my classroom and I followed, I sat down right next to her and asked, “Is this acting for everyone?” Carlee’s response? “God, I hope so!”



I’ll be forever thankful for that bright, obnoxious backpack. ❤️

Grace Whitney

Carlee&nbsp;and&nbsp;I&nbsp;met&nbsp;freshman&nbsp;year&nbsp;of&nbsp;high&nbsp;school&nbsp;and&nbsp;became&nbsp;close&nbsp;friends&nbsp;through&nbsp;puppy&nbsp;walks!&nbsp;Carlee,&nbsp;Abbey,&nbsp;Maddie,&nbsp;and&nbsp;I&nbsp;went&nbsp;miles&nbsp;and&nbsp;miles&nbsp;and&nbsp;talked&nbsp;loudly&nbsp;the&nbsp;whole&nbsp;way.&nbsp;Even&nbsp;now,&nbsp;we&nbsp;keep&nbsp;up&nbsp;the&nbsp;tradition&nbsp;with&nbsp;catchup&nbsp;calls&nbsp;during&nbsp;our&nbsp;commutes.&nbsp;It’s&nbsp;been&nbsp;such&nbsp;a&nbsp;joy&nbsp;to&nbsp;walk&nbsp;through&nbsp;life-&nbsp;literally&nbsp;and&nbsp;figuratively&nbsp;-&nbsp;with&nbsp;her&nbsp;all&nbsp;these&nbsp;years.

Mara Trelsted

Carlee and I met when I was dating her best friend at the time. Spoiler alert: that relationship didn’t work out, but ours did. One of the first things I remember saying to her was that her eyes looked like lemons. Since then, we’ve weathered everything from my dramatic coming-out, to me packing up and moving states away, to us earning multiple degrees. Now, our monthly catch-ups are the calendar event I never miss. I can wait to celebrate their big day with Carlee and Carson. 


Grady Timmerman

Hi, my name is Samuel and I'm Carson's twin brother. I've obviously known Carson my whole life which means we've shared a lot over the years: our childhood bedroom, our freshman dorm, our first car, our first apartment, video games (sometimes begrudgingly…), and of course, birthday cakes. Through it all, I’ve been incredibly lucky to have someone like Carson by my side. Now, I’m honored to stand by his side as best man as he and Carlee tie the knot and start a new chapter together.


Samuel Reinhardt 

Hey, I'm Lee, Carson's older brother. I live in the Denver suburbs with my fiancé Sarvani and our dog Bart. It's been an honor to watch Carson grow up, succeed in school, set up his career, and now marry his partner in life. Looking forward to meeting and seeing everyone!

Lee Reinhardt 

Beulah. 1999. Mrs. Maize's 1st grade class. Mrs. Wallender, the guidance counselor, had us combine desks with the person next you us and get to know them. Fate had it that I was sitting next to Carson Reinhardt. We introduced ourselves and decided to be friends. We said " Hey Mrs. Wallender! We're friends now!" And we have been for the last quarter century. 


Andrew Heller

C. E. Reinhardt and I had the pleasure of meeting each other at NDSU during pharmacy school. We spent too many hours brewing coffee in the study lounge with our own coffee maker to ensure it was always on tap. We bonded through caffeine, studying, and the occasional beer. They are memories I will always look back on fondly. 

Kyle Arnoldussen 

According to ChatGPT, this is how we met: In the smoldering aftermath of a world gone sideways, where caffeine was currency and laughter echoed like gunfire in the ruins, I—Winfield—emerged from the ash with nothing but a half-dead lighter and a suspiciously clean denim jacket. That’s when I met Carson: a beacon of unlikely sanity in a world that had traded kindness for canned beans. We didn’t meet so much as collided—two rogue satellites in the chaos of a dying age. From that moment on, the wasteland didn’t seem quite so bleak. Turns out, even in the apocalypse, friendship finds a way."
In reality, Carson and Win met at NDSU pharmacy school and they've been fighting ever since.

Winfield Brand

Carson and I met in middle school and we've maintained our friendship since. We spent many hours at the Broadway Tavern in Bismarck while he completed his final year of clinical rotations and when the world fell apart in 2020 we kept each other sane during the COVID-19 pandemic through Discord chats and video games. 

Ethan Helling 

Jacob Faut

Hello, I’m Dustin Scheurer. I met Carson through our mutual friends Faut (Jacob) and Moose (Ethan). One story that will always stick with me is when I had to teach Carson how to operate a coffee vending machine, showing him the steps on what to select, and the most important part - closing the sliding door since we weren’t born in a barn!! Besides tickling him that was one of the harder times I have heard him laugh. 

Dustin Scheurer

Bride and Groom's eldest nephew will be honoring the guests as he escorts the rings down the isle

Aiden Stocker

Wedding Party

FAQs

The bus will pickup/drop off guests out front of the Jasper Hotel. 5pm Silver Bullet picks up guests from Jasper Hotel and takes to Plains Art Museum 5:15pm Silver Bullet picks up guests from Jasper Hotel and takes to Plains Art Museum 5:30pm Silver Bullet picks up guests from Jasper Hotel and takes to Plains Art Museum 5:45pm	Ceremony at Plains Art Museum 3rd Floor 10pm-12:30am	Silver Bullet End of Night Transportation from Plains Art Museum to Jasper Hotel

Transportation

Rooms released 9/17/25 Standard King:&nbsp;$209 + taxDouble Queen:&nbsp;$219 + taxPanoramic Suite:&nbsp;$259 + tax 3pm check in11am check out

Jasper Hotel

Rooms released 9/17/25 3pm check in12pm check out

Carlee & Carson

Carlee & Carson

C&C

Wedding Day

5:00 PM–5:30 PM

Guest Transportation to Plains Art Museum

5:45 PM–6:00 PM

Ceremony

6:00 PM–7:00 PM

Social Hour

7:00 PM–8:00 PM

Dinner

8:00 PM–11:45 PM

Dancing

10:00 PM–12:15 AM

End of Night Transportation