We aren't sure what year we met, but we met at The Chapel in Green. Sarah sat in the same section of the church that a bunch of people in the worship team sat in, including Emily. We had a few conversations, and eventually went to lunch a couple of times. At some point, we discovered we were both tea drinkers, and decided to go to Miss Molly's Tea Room. We spent a few hours walking around Medina, and also discovered that we liked the exact same scents, and bookstores. We're also both only children—not sure if that helps us or not, lol. The rest is history! We became good friends really quickly, and somewhere in there, Sarah joined choir, and then vocal team. We co-led a women's Bible study one year, and have had lots of good, deep conversations. Sarah has a similar love for Jesus and the Word of God, pushes me in my walk with Christ and challenges me to think differently about things. We have a similar sense of decorating style, like a lot of the same stores, love cats and agree that Fall is the best season. We've joked before that we're basically the same person. We've vacationed together in Ontario, New England and the Alabama coast. Everyone she meets loves her! I love her sense of humor, the way she welcomes and respects everyone, her generosity, and the way she jumps in and helps out others at the drop of a hat (like all she's doing for me and Eli to help prepare for the wedding!). I had no idea what all a Maid of Honor is supposed to do, but couldn't have chosen a more dedicated one. She keeps me on track! Eli and I are so honored that she would stand up with us in this way.

Tiph and I also met our Freshman year of college, as singers in a college singing group and (music) stand partners in the handbell group. I actually remember auditioning for the vocal group together and getting paired up multiple times because our blend was so good—and we didn't even know each other yet! We were roommates for four years, starting our Junior year. We've walked through a lot together, as we were in ministry at Presby with the kids' choir and lots of singing in praise team and choir. We walked through some difficult ministry experiences together, too, both while at the same church and after I moved to Ohio. After our good friends, the Kobers, moved to Ohio, we also made the trek out Route 30 dozens of times to visit them. Fun memories from a LONG time ago include trampoline jumping together at Core Group, sitting in a gigantic hot tub for hours while planning the entire year of kids' choir, our tour group driving all over town looking for Starburst jelly beans for Tiph, a super fun NYE party at the Volkers, long games of Settlers of Katan and some great camping trips. I have countless great memories at the lake over the past 20+ years with Tiph, whether on a tube, at the cottage hanging out, getting ice cream at Kelainey's, swinging on the front porch glider, relaxing in the hot tub, sitting on the Volkers' sofa just talking late into the night, or—going way back to 2001—standing up as a bridesmaid with Tiph in her wedding. She's just been a true, fun and good friend for so many years. This photo is from last year, when I was visiting Winona Lake and we ran past our old abode, Sunnyside.

Monica & Emily met at a summer missions trip after their Senior year of high school in 1994. They subsequently went to Grace College together, though a year apart. They got to know each other better through the Grace English Handbells Ringers (yes, it's true!). They also sang together at school and at church, The First Presbyterian Church of Warsaw (now Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church). After college, Monica got a job in South Bend, IN, but would return to Winona Lake on the weekends to attend Presby and would stay with Emily. When Emily moved to Akron in 2003, Monica and Emily would visit each other frequently. Monica & Emily vacationed together all over the world: Delaware, New Jersey, Michigan, Chicago, France, England, Ontario, Belgium and Ireland. Monica's been a true and good friend and godly influence for so many years.

Ah, Caroline. I've known this girl since 1995, since we played together in the Grace English Handbell Ringers. We became closer friends, I think, in about 1998, when we both attended Presby. We were in multiple small groups (of mostly young adults) together and were accountability partners from about 1999-2006, even after I moved to Ohio. Maybe she remembers how long, haha! Lots of great, in-depth, heart conversations on every topic from knowing Jesus to season of life to leading small groups to graphic design to flowers to Star Trek: TNG. She was one of the girls who listened and prayed with me when I started feeling a tug toward marriage. Love this girl, and Eli and I are honored to have her stand up with us!

Lydia is Eli's second born & only daughter. Lydia and her Dad share a passion for golf (Eli got her started playing, but now she routinely beats his scores). Lyd's passion for golf has led her to play for her school team at Medina High School. She'll be entering her Junior season this fall. Lydia is a talented and accomplished musician playing piano and tenor sax as well. She recently started driving and is enjoying every opportunity to be behind the wheel. Eli could not be prouder of the young woman she has become, but is most grateful that she has a deep heart for Jesus and is growing in maturity as a disciple. The love of Jesus, alive in her, shines through in all she is & does. If you've met Lydia, you've had that experience. Emily & Eli are blessed and grateful to have Lydia standing with them to celebrate the joining of their hearts and lives in marriage.

Eli and Jon met at Bluffton College (now University) in the early 1990's as students there. Their friendship grew and they decided to live as roommates their junior year. Their love for Christ and serving the Lord in Christian ministry was a common passion. Over the years, they've grown as brothers in Christ and have been there to support and encourage each other. Eli is grateful for Jon's consistent, godly, and loving friendship. Eli & Emily are so blessed that Jon will be standing with them, as Eli's Best Man, during their wedding as we celebrate God's goodness in bringing us together!

Eli and Chris are first cousins and grew up in a large family of first cousins. Growing up that way was great because we always had playmates and friends we could count on. Eli & Chris share a passion for the game of basketball and have spent lots of time on the court together over the years (especially as kids). Chris is a varsity assistant coach and shares his love of the game with his student athletes and has been helpful to Eli's son, Sam who also loves the game. Eli & Emily are grateful that Chris will be standing with them on their wedding day as a member of the family.

Eli and Jeff have been friends for over four years now. They met at The Chapel in Akron and spent some time as members of a men's discipleship group for a couple years. Jeff is now in real estate and Eli and Jeff continue to meet weekly for study and mutual encouragement. Jeff has been a great friend to Eli and Eli thinks of him as a brother. Eli & Emily are grateful that Jeff will be standing with us on our wedding day.

Aaron has been a friend to both Eli & Emily (Emily serves on staff with Aaron's brother Happy at The Chapel in Green). Eli & Aaron initially met through real estate and their common love for Christ has grown a deep bond of friendship between them. Aaron first introduced Eli to Emily in 2016 & we're so grateful he did. Eli & Aaron have been on some cool adventures together, including figuring out how to keep a boat from sinking into the middle of the Portage Lakes near Akron (a boat they were on together, lol). Eli & Emily are grateful for Aaron's friendship and encouragement and are glad he will be standing as part of our "cloud of witnesses" on our wedding day.

Sam is Eli's youngest son. Sam and his Dad have a lot in common, especially a tremendous love for the game of basketball. As Sam keeps getting bigger and stronger, it is becoming harder and harder for Dad to stand his ground and be competitive against him in one-v-one matchups. Eli also loves Sam's heart for Jesus and delights in the growth he's seen in Sam as a follower of Christ as a student at Medina Christian School. Sam helped lead his 7th grade basketball team to the 2022 State Championship in the Ohio Christian School Basketball League. Sam is funny, smart, and has a really loyal and loving heart. We're super proud of him. Eli & Emily thank the Lord for Sam and are delighted he will be standing with us on our wedding day!