Downtown Springfield, Springfield, MO, United States

Wedding Day

Wedding

Reception

Sunday Brunch

Our Wedding

Ok, so it wasn't so much a galaxy as a city. Ok, so maybe city is a strong word too. How about sleepy little hamlet? Sort of. Anyway, let it be said that Kristen and I first met in the town of Neosho. We're both natives, and in a town of that size, it's almost inevitable that you'll run into each other. And run she did! Well, not into me, but she did run and tackle the friend standing next to me the first time we met. Of course, it was a bit of a mistaken identity, and she thought she was tackling someone else, but such are the chances of fate. So, thus began several years of friendship and digital conversations until Kristen moved away to Columbia, MO. I did head up there to visit her once or twice, but we certainly interacted less than we had earlier in our friendship. In the meantime, I was spending way too much money in gas to travel to Springfield each weekend to hang out with friends. Eventually, Kristen mentioned that she was actually moving back closer to Neosho, and was going to settle in Springfield!The catch, of course, is that she didn't really know anyone in Springfield to hang out with and if you know Kristen, you know that she is very, very much a people person. So, being the nice guy that I am, I offered to let her hang out with our little group of gaming geeks on Saturday night if she wanted to. Boy, was that a mistake! In no time at all, she greatly outranked me with my own friends! Here, I suppose the old adage that if you can't beat 'em, join 'em came into play- before long we were dating.We turned out to be more compatible than I'd have ever guessed and these few years have flown by. She's healed some of my scars, and I've immersed her in some of my nerdy hobbies. All in all, I have to say that it has been an amazing time, so after much consideration, I hatched a plan to propose to her. And it promptly fell through. Well, ok, so I wasn't expecting that and had to go back to the drawing board. The new plan took a bit of time and waiting, but eventually on Dec 30th, 2014, I was able to present her with a custom drawn comic book which contained my proposal request as well as a gorgeous Iron Man themed engagement ring.Better yet, she said yes.How's that for revenge of the nerds?

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away….

Our Story

Engagement Photos

Christina Dru Photography

<a href="http://christinadruphotography.com/2015/06/16/kristen-will-neosho-joplin-missouri-engagement-session/" target="_blank">Click here to view the photos </a>

Details

Photos

Justin (or simply Fox as he's generally known)  is my bro, and in all honesty, at least one of our mutual friends actually thought we were brothers for a couple years. We both attended the United Methodist church in Neosho, MO and spent years hanging out playing A Game of Thrones, helping at the fireworks tent, and watching more Disney channel than we should probably admit to. His mother is a phenomenal cook and I spent more evenings showing up just in time to join their family for dinner than I probably should have. Regardless, they let me right in and there's no one I'd rather call my best man- mainly because I wouldn't have ever met Kristen if it wasn't for hanging out with some of Justin's friends.

Justin Fox

Missy and I have known each other since around the ages of 7. She lives in my hometown (Neosho, MO) &amp; became my step sister a few years later. I love having her as a sister. We always enjoyed jamming out to 90's pop musicians, watching music videos on MTV, wrestling, roller skating at Skateland, and taking the wagon to roll down the hill at my dad's old house. Oh, and dominated at the egg toss at the annual fireman's cookout!  We may have done a lot of really dumb stuff together, being the clumsy ones we are, but we've managed to survive. It's no doubt, she's my other Maid of Honor!

Missy Mincks 

Paul is the friend that I've had the longest and it never ceases to surprise me how well that friendship has held up over the years. We first met in Mrs. Lauber's 2nd Grade class and one highly successful detective agency later, were the best of friends. He shares my love of console RPGs, comic books, and a wide variety of things that sometimes lead to more philosophical discussion than you'd expect. He's had a couple work related moves and one mission trip that have taken him somewhat further afield than myself, but when we do get together, rest assured that it's just like we saw each other the day before.

Paul Farnsworth

Jonathan &amp; I have been friends since middle school and since then he might very well be the friend that I've hung out with most consistently. Sure, we did our share of dumb high school stuff (late night photo trips around town, anyone?), and probably a few odd things in college (like taking exactly the same schedule of classes for a full two years) but I like to think that we've grown consistently wiser in our older young years. He's helped me move multiple times, lets me bum his HBO to watch TV and hang out, and is a damn fine grillmaster. I can't think of a more dependable friend.

Jonathan Van Otterloo

I first met Megan on the bus ride to our first day of 5th grade. Turns out, we had the same teachers. Our friendship quickly grew from there. She was one that I spent a lot of time with, having sleep-overs, grading each other's singing abilities, memorizing Moulin Rouge &amp; Ace Ventura : When Nature Calls, and having some great heart to hearts. Megan and I have learned so much about life together. We learned how to forgive, how to show love and mercy, more about who God is, and how to be a true friend to each other and others. Megan is also the one, I owe credit to for meeting Will. She was friends with him through her childhood neighbor. When MSN Messenger was cool, Megan introduced me to Will through messenger. The rest is history from there, but if you want a more elaborate story, check out the "Our Story" section. 

Megan Asbill

Emily &amp; I met through Megan. We were a trio. Outside of school, we didn't hang out as much, but we did have several classes together. Emily has seen me embarass the holy jeepers out of myself and has always been there to laugh it off with me. She's such a sweet, kind-hearted person, who's great to have heart-to-hearts with, and has one of the cutest, funniest little girls I know. I love the lady, mom, and wife to Cody, Emily has become. I'm so happy to have her in this special group of girls on my wedding day!

Emily Thompson 

Matt actually became my friend in middle school shortly after Jonathan, and actually for most of high school and college those two, Paul, and myself made quite the team of Muskateers. Matt is talented and passionate, and don't you dare listen to what he says- he's also a mean wielder of a lightsaber as well as the computer skills necessary to create one on screen. He's been a part of some of my best memories over the years and though work has taken him to Arkansas, I'm always looking forward to the next time we can catch up.

Matt Kimbrough

Oh Erin! She's my crazy-outgoing, full of joy &amp; laughter, goofy friend. We met on my first day of serving at Bob Evans in '06. After talking about me transferring to Joplin Highschool for my Sr. year, we found out we'd be in showchoir together. We bonded so quickly. Before long, I was accepted into her family as one of their own. We had so much fun performing together, dressing as TMNT's for spirit week, and having lunch together. Erin moved away to St Louis, but our friendship has been just as strong, if not stronger. I'm so glad we still get to see each other as often as we do. 

Erin Copeland 

Brett begins a group of somewhat newer acquisitions in the friend realm, though it's a little strange to realize that we've been friends now for seven years or something. We met through our mutual card gaming hobby when he decided to start playing the Game of Thrones card game. Since then, we've met to play games and chat basically weekly ever since. We've gone on several road trips together, shared hotel rooms, and he was even kind enough to honor me as a groomsman at his own wedding. He's a fantastic friend and it's a pleasure to extend that same honor to him.

Brett Zeiler

Lets be honest here, if I call him Zach, no one will now who I'm talking about. Gourley has been another great additional to my circle of friends here in Springfield. Like most of my friends in town, I met him through Zeiler and associated gaming groups. Over the years, Gourley has proven himself to be a stalwart friend and confidant who is just as comfortable chatting the deep revelations of life outside at 2:00 AM as he is transitioning to the intracacies of the latest Marvel or DC plot all in the same conversation. 

Zachary Gourley

My dear Cristiana, is such a sweet soul. She's always been my realist (sometimes pessimist) to my optimist, and I wouldn't have it any other way. She's kept me balanced in some of the hardest times of my life, encourages (even helps) to bake sinfully delicious brownies, gets me addicted to dresses and frilly things, and has such a fun knowledge on culture and local things wherever she goes. I admire this lady and am so proud of her and what she's accomplished. I can't wait to have her here to celebrate with me, and keep me sane when needed! 

Cristiana Daugherty 

Ah, Darryl, what can I say about Darryl? He's another friend I found here in Springfield through the Game of Thrones game and he has to hands down be the funniest guy that I know. Spend a little time chatting with this guy, and he'll knock your socks off. His charm and wit know no bounds, and it's a pleasure to have him join for this day.

Darryl Loyd

Karlie's my wild-child, spunky best friend. I met Karlie when I was looking for a job after having moved to Springfield in '10. We worked together at a salon on the south side of town. Although we don't work at the same salon anymore, we are still besties. She's such a great opposite of me. She's encouraged me to stand up for myself when needed, to experience life a litte differently, and live it even fuller. Although, my mom think she's the bad influence for my tattoos, she knows she still loves Karlie anyway. haha Karlie and I have been snowed in together, enjoyed several bonfires, chased a cow down, and enjoy rocking out to Ultimate Band on the Wii. We often get mistaken for sisters, and I'm totally ok with this! Love my Karlie Jean and am so excited to have her as an honorary Maid Of Honor to help fill in!!

Karlie Stephenson 

Robin is my cousin, and one of Will's former classmate. I loved being as close as I was to her growing up, and now we get to live in the same town again; and even share a group of friends. It's truly special getting to spend time with her, playing card/board games, watching the Indy Colts play (sometimes), and just being able to chat about life over dinner and a glass of wine. I'm so glad she's a part of this group and to consider her as an amazing friend, not just a cousin. 

Kristen & Will

Kristen & Will

Details

Engagement Photos

Christina Dru Photography