Mike is a professional pilot, a mechanic, an adventurer, a father, and my older brother. He introduced me to the Wind River Range of Wyoming when I was in 9th grade. We have gotten ourselves into and out of our share of epic disasters. We have climbed in the Tetons, snowboarded Big Sky, mountaineered in Glacier National Park, snowmobiled in West Yellowstone, and have seen the Northern Lights from the summit of Mount Rainier. I look up to Mike in so many ways. He has accomplished much. The way that he loves his children and his wife has been a testimony to me. I love Mike’s family so much; his house in northern Illinois is one of my favorite spots to stop at while driving across the country. He always throws me a helmet as we saddle up to shred the trails on snow machines when I arrive. My brother Mike is a wild, Godly, well balanced man and I hope that you all get a chance to meet him and his family on my wedding day.
Four of the five men that I have asked to stand with me at my wedding are my Band of Brothers. They are fellow warriors, lovers, and adventurers of the Kingdom. These men encourage and inspire me to be who I am today. They challenge me to live with honor and follow Jesus Christ. Each of them has his unique strength that he offers the rest of our community. Together we are a militia. Not a political militia but a spiritual one. These men have fought for my heart time and time again. We have been best of friends, through good times and hard. I love these men and am proud to have them stand with me on the most important day of my life.
Mark is the sharpest man in my life. Mark is a Godly man full of good counsel. He is always the first man I turn to when I need some good advice. I cherish the time that I have with him, hoping that some of his glory would rub off on me. Mark is also a brilliant and successful businessman who truly is doing ministry in the form of his work. Over the years I have seen Mark fight for his wife and his two daughters. He has also battled for my heart during my finest hour. Mark is powerful beyond belief. It is an honor to have this man represent me as my Best Man.
I have been going on adventures with Tom since 9th grade when he and I went on a month long road trip and climbed some of the tallest mountains in Wyoming together. Tom is a loyal warrior. He is someone I know I can always trust. Whether it is a private matter that I am struggling with or my life on the sharp end of the climbing rope, I know that Tom has got me. Tom is a mountain man, an ice climber, and a snowboarder; he is also a friend to many, a husband, and a father. Tom is a good man. I hope to get a few more adventures with him this year before I get hitched.
Mark is warrior poet. He lives with great intentionality and reaps the positive effects of his plans. I have seen him as a missionary, entrepreneur, investor, carpenter, computer geek, husband, and now father. Whatever hat he has on he is always after one thing – the heart of God. Mark is like a rock in my life. He often brings me back down to earth. He is always stable, planning out his steps carefully. Mark is helpful and generous to everyone and knows that it is more glorious to give of himself than to receive.
Pete is half man and half beast! He was raised in the jungles of Ecuador by pigmies. Pete is a wild man, always up for an epic. I love climbing with Pete because it always seems to get out of hand when the two of us end up together on a route. Pete is preparing to go to Ecuador as a missionary and taking his family on the ultimate adventure. If you would like to hear a good story then spend an hour with Pete. God is so evident in his life. He is alive and free, full of passion and desire. I have been friends with him for over ten years and am so blessed to have had such a man to lean on.
