Denver Botanic Gardens

Wedding Day

Wedding

Reception

Our Wedding

Our relationship began as many do: as friends.&nbsp; Mada was hired to teach 8th grade math at STRIVE&nbsp;Prep Westwood where I had been working for the two previous years.&nbsp; When she came to STRIVE she was already in a relationship,&nbsp; so our's developed as friends first. I&nbsp;think both of us appreciated this as it allowed us to truly get to know one another with no strings attached.&nbsp;&nbsp;Over the course of the year we had gotten closer and got to know one another better when Mada asked me to coach girls soccer with her. Little did I&nbsp;know her friends in the 8th grade office were convinced I&nbsp;was in to her and she was using this coaching&nbsp;proposal as a way to gauge whether or not I was actually interested in her. By that time she and her previous boyfriend had split (thank god), and our romantic relationship began to blossom. Her friends were in fact correct: I&nbsp;was smitten with little Mada. By the end of the soccer season we had formed a very close bond and Mada,&nbsp; reluctantly, accepted that we were meant to be more than "just friends".&nbsp;&nbsp;

After two wonderful years together, and one&nbsp; full year of living together (in the world's smallest apartment), I decided it was time to pop the question. I&nbsp;had moved schools by this time and was in my second year teaching 7th grade Social Studies at DSST Cole Middle School (greatest place on earth!) and just so happened to be coaching flag football at the time. Our team was undefeated and a surefire bet to win the championship. So, I&nbsp;hatched my brilliant scheme. I had all the boys invested, and had invited&nbsp;the whole school and all of my family to the championship game.&nbsp; The plan was to pretend to hand out championship rings to the boys after the game, when really, it was Mada's proposal. I can't tell you how excited the school was for this until...the game got rained out and rescheduled for a day Mada was out of town.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Instead, against my better judgement, I had to propose in Paris on the balcony of our quaint Parisian&nbsp;hotel overlooking Notre Dame. Most people say it was the better idea, and after it happened I tend to agree that maybe the flag football celebration was&nbsp;not in fact plan A.&nbsp; Luckily, little Mada said yes and we have been looking forward to our beautiful wedding ever since.&nbsp;

Mada and Dane 

Our Story

Details

Allegra is my (barely) older sister and will be gracing our presence as the Maid of Honor on August 3rd. We no longer spend every weekend together watching Family Video rentals and writing sketch comedy (we were gonna be famous!), but I still call her my best friend.&nbsp;

Allegra Larson

This is my younger brother Dylan who will be doing me the honor of being my best man. Dylan is one of the best people I know: he is kind, ridiculous, adventurous, open-minded, creative, and true to himself. I could not be more proud to have him stand by my side on  August 3rd. 

Dylan Hyman

As my oldest sister, I've known Kaisa since I was literally born. Between soccer, piano, and short hair cuts, I have been following her lead since I could walk (although she might not realize it!). I am so excited for her to stand with me on the biggest day of my life so far.

Kaisa Larson

Man oh man. Zach has been my friend for as long as I can accurately remember.  The first time I met Zach was at a 6th grade Smoky Hill High School baseball camp and the kid's glove was bigger than he was. From the moment he stepped out of his mom's car the first day of 7th grade baseball practice the next season he and I became lifelong friends.  ZJ has had my back through everything and is someone I have counted on my whole life and someone I know I will always be able to count on. He is a great husband and father and someone I hope to one day emulate in both regards. Thanks for standing beside me Zebra Job. 

Zach Johnson



What is there not to say about Drewbee? Drew and I grew up together three blocks away in the greatest place on earth where dreams are made!...Woodgate! From Sagebrush Elementary to CU Boulder and everything in between  and since: Drew has been there with me.  Nobody knows you like your oldest friends, and I have none older than Drew. Thanks for standing by me bud it means the world to me. 

Drew Luebke 

I met Natasha on the bus to school in fourth grade and we bonded over our strange 10 year old obsession with the country of England (thank you J.K. Rowling). We continued to go to school together all the way through our years at University of Illinois. As a forever friend, and a sometimes roommate, I am so excited to share the day with such a hilarious, caring friend!

Natasha Gaydos

Meg and I worked together at Westwood Middle School where she may or may not have saved my sanity my first year of teaching. She is still an amazing educator&nbsp;and now one of my best friends. Meg&nbsp;pushes&nbsp;me to be a better person,&nbsp;try new things, and understands that you are never too cool to watch the Bachelor. I couldn't imagine my wedding day without you.

Meg LaFarge

Grant and I met while playing baseball together up at CU. If you want to know anything about Grant, know this: no matter who you are this guy will make you feel valued and important. Grant is one of the best people I know and has been a wonderful friend. The only downside is that he is a secret hipster and won't admit it. C'mon man. 

Grant Wells

Although we met as soccer rivals in 7th grade, Carrie Mac and I became best friends freshman year of college while we both tried (and mostly failed) to figure out how to be adults. Carrie taught me the appropriate frequency for cleaning (not just when parents are visiting?) and also introduced me to at least 50% of my music taste. I can't believe we have come this far and am so happy she&nbsp;will be with me on my wedding day.

Carrie McMenamin

Garrett and I also met on the baseball team up at CU. Garrett is another guy who is just a stand up person in every sense of the word. Young Grossman is the guy who has your back regardless of the situation: that, and he is an incredible whiffle-ball pitcher! To my former roommate, apprentice chef, and point guard, thank you truly for standing up with me on Mada's big day.

Garrett Grossman

Margaret and I signed a lease to live together after meeting one time, and to date, that has been the best gamble I've ever taken. Margaret is full of life, can make you laugh even when you are starving and stressed out by finals, and will always be there for you with a coffee or a Taco Bell crunch wrap. After knowing way too many of my secrets, of course I had to ask her to stand with me at my wedding!

Margaret Stacy-Duffy

Steve. Stephen. Phteven. Sasquatch. Big Guy. These are all names he loves to be called. I met this giant while teaching at STRIVE, and I could not be more thankful I did. This man used to sit on the kids lockers - these tiny little lockers - and read books to them in class. Every day I walked by I laughed cause it was the most absurd thing I had ever seen! How are those shelve supporting this man's weight? But that's Steve. He does the ridiculous to make the people he cares for feel loved. His students loved him and so do I. I have learned a lot from Steve and could not think of anyone better to support me at my wedding. 

Steve Venable 

Man this guy Kelly! This man was the peanut butter to my jelly, the whiskey to my cider, the bread to my butter! I have never met someone with so much energy in the way they approach life, it's amazing.  Aaron Kelly is the life of the party everywhere he goes and just makes life better. I met Aaron while teaching at STRIVE and shared an office with the man for three years. I still have never met someone who was so naturally gifted working with kids, he made them feel like they were kings and queens which is a rare and powerful gift. I'm so thankful for this man and have no doubt that those who are lucky enough to call him a friend would tell you the same.  If you get a chance to talk to one person at the wedding, talk to Aaron Kelly.  

Aaron Kelly 

Stephen Downey is my cousin, but for Dylan and I he might as well be our brother. From the moment he was born I have known Stephen, and from the moment he was born I have known Stephen to have the biggest heart.  There is no way on earth I would get married without Stephen Downey there. No way.  He is a friend, he is family, and he will be there every step of the way on Mada and I's journey together. 

Stephen Downey

Wedding Party

Photos

Registry

Q + A

Travel

After the wedding festivities there is nothing better to do in Denver than catch a Rox game! If your flight is late, if you're leaving Monday, or if you're a local looking to recuperate, then go&nbsp;watch the Rockies. It is the best ballpark in America hands down.&nbsp;

Mada & Dane

Mada & Dane

Registry