Welcome Bonfire

Valley View Farm

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

Our Wedding

During Josee's freshman year of college, Brian, a junior, developed a crush and made an effort over the course of several months to talk to her at sports practices or various social gatherings. Despite her initial rejection, he pursued her valiantly by offering to aid her with a chemistry course he had previously taken that she was currently struggling with. With the improvement of her grade, she agreed to go on a date with the persistent Brian.

How it began...

Over time, we grew closer through our college experiences of varsity athletics, similar academic challenges, and finding support in each other as we met struggles in life. Through tennis matches and track meets, we pursued our individual goals while supporting the other in the rigor of daily life at Hillsdale. Our relationship rooted itself in the shared values of faith and intentional time. During our dating years, we made great effort to spend time showing each the different things we enjoyed through summers of distance, busy school semesters, and seasons of travel and sport. In Brian, Josee found a steady, uplifting man. In Josee, Brian found a confident and grounded woman. We've found our complements have helped us grow closer to God through the understanding of the other person.

The Dating Years

During the end of Summer 2022, we found they were expecting a child. The following months provided a deep sense of togetherness while we quietly navigated the future we soon expected. While we did not expect to be bringing a child into this world it provided the hardship for us to confront our faith and really questioner devotion to God, forcing us to make changes in our hearts. On October 18th of 2022 we quietly married each other surrounded by our closest family and friends, expressing our devotion to each other before God. Josee took the second semester off of school while Brian finished his studies and tennis career. On April 21st of 2023, we welcomed Hudson into the world, supported by our families and friends. The love we have come to know and the greatness of God has transformed our faith and our lives to be living testimonies of the beauty of life itself, and that life is always a blessing, regardless of when it comes.

The Greatest Gift

Josee is currently finishing her studies at Hillsdale taking an extra year to spread classes and finish her track career. Brian is working in Hillsdale, where we currently reside as a small family. While our immediate families reside a few hours away each, we have been abundantly blessed by the support of our community in Hillsdale. Our deepest thanks goes out to the women of Kappa Kappa Gamma, Josee's sorority, and her track teammates for the gracious support they have so freely given to provide care for Hudson so that Josee can complete school. It has been through the last two years that we have come to know the goodness and unexpected intentions of God, how blessed we truly are. Through this time we have experienced greater love than we could ever comprehend, and our friends have shared in the blessing of life. On August 10th we plan to renew our vows in a celebration of our holy matrimony surrounded by our family and friends that we hope you'll join us for.

Where we are now!

Our Story

Photos

Austin Behling

Angela Behling

Irene McClanaghan

Lionel McClanaghan

Jeffrey Hackman

Leslie Hackman

MaryAnn Traut

Donald Hackman

Zona Hackman

Jacob is one of Brian's dearest friends, someone who has been alongside of Brian since his first day of college. Jacob continues to be a steadfast friend to both Josee and Brian as he now neighbors them. Jacob has taken to heart his friendship with Brian to extend beyond them and pour into Hudson and Josee, as he has become a true uncle-figure to Hudson. In Jacob's words, because neither Brian or Josee have brothers, he's "next in line." Jacob is a twin to his brother Bryan. Jacob works for the college and now Hillsdale Academy taking up various roles in facility management, soon-to-be teaching, and most importantly coaching, where he has impacted many young athletes for the better. 

Jacob Hickey

Alexander, "Al", is one of Brian's dearest friends, as they have demonstrated consistent and heartfelt support in all of their endeavors. Brian met Al during Brian's freshman year and Al's junior year at Hillsdale. Al works as a personal trainer and fitness coach. Al has been one of the greatest supporters of Hudson, taking uncle duties extremely seriously, vowing he will make Hudson a professional golfer one day. 

Alexander Ancede

Bryan and Brian met as roommates beginning their freshman year at Hillsdale, and remained not only roommates but inseparable friends for their time in school together. Bryan is a twin to his brother Jacob. Bryan is currently attending University of Michigan - Flint's Physician Assistant program as an exceptional student. More importantly, Bryan is engaged to his beautiful fiancé, Brenna James. 

Bryan Hickey

Josiah and Brian met their freshman year of college during pick-up basketball, quickly became friends, and eventually housemates during their upperclassmen years. Their friendship has remained consistent and light-hearted, but deeply intentional as they have remained a primary support to the other in hardships faced. Josiah lives in Fayetteville, Georgia, for Harbinger Marketing as a strategic partnerships coordinator. 

Josiah Lee

Justin and Brian became teammates for Hillsdale College Men's Tennis during Justin's junior year. Justin and Brian's friendship blossomed during the two years they spent as teammates together, one that endured the stint of college and turned into regular check-ins and visits in the years following graduation. Despite the distance between Hillsdale and Tampa, Brian and Justin have not only maintained a deep friendship but largely consider each other a brother for life. 

Justin Hyman

Andrew, "Roo," has been a close friend of Brian's since their time together beginning freshman year of college. Andrew's friendship has been an impactful influence to Brian, extending beyond their own relationship and pouring into the relationship between their younger sisters. Roo and Brian have fond memories playing "sock ball" and finding funny nicknames for each other. 

Andrew Kendzicky

Will, although a more recent addition to Brian and Josee's life, has cultivated a beautiful friendship with them. Will is engaged to Brian's twin sister, Sarah, and will celebrate their holy matrimony in 2025. Will has been a fun and loving influence to Hudson, perceiving uncle duties never as an obligation but as a blessing. 

Will Heffner

Marcus has been like a brother to Brian since they were kids, as the two grew up right down the street from each other. Marcus is a cousin (M) to Brian, and younger brother to Eric. He has been the subject of lightheartedness and ease in relationship to Brian for the entirety of their lives. Marcus recently graduated a from the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh and was a talented baseball player and coach.

Marcus Keller

Eric and Brian grew up together as cousins (M), always just a couple blocks away from the other. Eric, older brother to Marcus, is an easy-going, competitive guy who has always enriched occasions with his sense of humor and wit. Eric has been a consistent support and brotherly figure through hardships as someone that can always make Brian laugh.

Eric Keller

Maggee is the sister of Josee, and her best friend for life. Maggee has been Jo’s first and foremost support in all endeavors. Growing up Maggee was a strong competitor in athletics and both Josee and Maggee helped to push each other to their collegiate careers. Maggee currently plays softball for Hope College, where she is pursuing a degree in education to become a PE teacher. Maggee has always been, without hesitation, a selfless person who sacrifices her own desires and places the needs of others above her own. 

Maggee Behling

Grace has been Josee’s best friend since the early days of high school. They were brought together by athletics and then remained close since. Although they pursued their own individual paths, they have remained each other’s confidant and closest companion in all they have done. Together they experienced the throws of life and been the first go-to in all of the excitements they have shared. Grace is wife to Jake Mitchell, and mother to Quincy. 

Grace Mitchell

Zoe and Josee spent two years as teammates on the Hillsdale College Track team. Zoe served as a role model for Josee coming in and quickly became a close friend, whom Josee still relies on for advice often. Zoe and Josee found their friendship in shared humor, love of their sport, and the same passion to give back to underprivileged women seeking obstetric care. Zoe has been a light for those around her, working through adversity and earning numerous impressive track accolades, among those being All-American, repeated GMAC conference champions, and regional honors.

Zoe Eby

Leah is Josee’s big in their sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma. Leah has been a primary source of support in all of Josee’s endeavors, especially during pregnancy. Leah is a source of joy and love to all those around her. She is the epitome of love in all forms. Leah is an accomplished swimmer, Hillsdale College school record-holder, and wife to Carson Nickel.

Leah Nickel

Sarah is Brian’s twin sister, and close friend of Josee. Sarah was the first person to find out Josee and Brian were expecting. She is joy, she is patience, and she is a beautiful soul. Sarah is a very accomplished tennis player, as she holds two consecutive GMAC Player of the Year titles. Sarah is about t9 begin her graduate studies at the University of Dayton where she will pursue a path in clinical psychology. Sarah is engaged to Will Heffner.

Sarah Hackman

Megan is Brian’s younger sister, currently entering her junior year at Hillsdale. She is a dear friend to Josee, not only in life but in their shared sorority of Kappa Kappa Gamma. Truly like sisters to each other, Megan and Josee share a similar sense of humor and a shared passion for sports. Megan is an extremely dedicated worker on the court and in life. Megan currently plays tennis for Hillsdale College.

Megan Hackman

Courtney is Josee’s little in Kappa Kappa Gamma, a dear friend, but most importantly a guide to Josee in their challenges. Courtney has served as a mentor to Josee in her wisdom of life and her continued pursuit of seeking intentional involvements. Courtney is a shining light of grace, passion and love to all those she is around. Courtney is also close with Sarah and Megan, as they’ve all played tennis together for Hillsdale College.

Courtney Rittel

Wedding Party

Q + A

Stays

We recommend finding an AirBnB or camping in the area! Make our weekend your weekend and explore the beautiful places Northern Michigan has to offer.

Young State Park

Charlevoix County Whiting Park

East Jordan City Tourist Park

Fisherman's Island State Park

If camping isn't your style, here are some options for hotels in the area.

Josee & Brian

Josee & Brian

J&B

Welcome Bonfire

Wedding Day

4:00 PM–5:30 PM

Ceremony

6:00 PM–10:00 PM

Reception