Amidst post engagement debate over whether Evan should wear a frog costume during the ceremony and talk of making Sexy Sax Man invitations, Anna mentioned that she didn't believe in having a wedding party. It struck her as silly to chose bridesmaids and groomsmen when in reality everybody attending the wedding is a valued member of our community and part of the wedding party. Evan laughed and said he was sorry to hear that. Turns out he had asked Zack to be his best man around 10 years before getting engaged.
Brainstorming a way to make the idea of a best man more palatable, Evan was quiet for awhile. Then a grin spread over his face and he suggested Rainbow Besties-- loved ones dressed in a rainbow of colors. Anna remembers him mentioning something about everybody wearing gold shoes as well, but Evan denies that ever being part of the deal. In any case, Anna was sold.
We have no idea what role these folks will play when we get married (ribbon dancers? valet service? flashmob?), but we know the roles they've played in our lives and wanted to take this opportunity to introduce them!
Heather is Evan's sister and sometimes he wonders if Anna's marrying him just to gain Heather as a sister-in-law. Heather lives in Seattle with her husband, Joe, and their two daughters, Pearle and Livia. Since she was a kid, Heather's said she'll have four children. Appropriately, she settled into a career as a midwife. Heather's a genius at maintaining a sense of humor, generous heart and wise perspective on life amidst the chaos. She's our go-to haven in a storm.
Lindsay Yost (pink)
Yost lives with Evan and Anna. They go on family runs together. She crawls in the window over their bed when she's coming home late. Yost pulled out her own tooth on a dare from Evan. Evan nearly set her parent's house on fire with a misdirected firecracker. Lindsay is in charge of celebrations. Just in general. She's partial to 80's skiwear, bootie shaking songs, and is the most considerate person you'll ever meet.
Jen Sall (orange)
Anna first "met" Jen in 2002 when they took their NOLS Instructor Course together. "Met" because Jen didn't speak that entire month. Anna realized that Jen was one of her favorite people on earth when she worked with her in 2006 and tagged along on a series of housesitting gigs Jen had landed for the summer. Jen is married to a wonderful Canadian named Liz who aims to study Homeland Security at Central Wyoming College next semester, a dog named Goose, and a horse named Duck.
Brainstorming a way to make the idea of a best man more palatable, Evan was quiet for awhile. Then a grin spread over his face and he suggested Rainbow Besties-- loved ones dressed in a rainbow of colors. Anna remembers him mentioning something about everybody wearing gold shoes as well, but Evan denies that ever being part of the deal. In any case, Anna was sold.
We have no idea what role these folks will play when we get married (ribbon dancers? valet service? flashmob?), but we know the roles they've played in our lives and wanted to take this opportunity to introduce them!
Heather Paar (red)
Heather is Evan's sister and sometimes he wonders if Anna's marrying him just to gain Heather as a sister-in-law. Heather lives in Seattle with her husband, Joe, and their two daughters, Pearle and Livia. Since she was a kid, Heather's said she'll have four children. Appropriately, she settled into a career as a midwife. Heather's a genius at maintaining a sense of humor, generous heart and wise perspective on life amidst the chaos. She's our go-to haven in a storm.
Lindsay Yost (pink)
Yost lives with Evan and Anna. They go on family runs together. She crawls in the window over their bed when she's coming home late. Yost pulled out her own tooth on a dare from Evan. Evan nearly set her parent's house on fire with a misdirected firecracker. Lindsay is in charge of celebrations. Just in general. She's partial to 80's skiwear, bootie shaking songs, and is the most considerate person you'll ever meet.
Jen Sall (orange)
Anna first "met" Jen in 2002 when they took their NOLS Instructor Course together. "Met" because Jen didn't speak that entire month. Anna realized that Jen was one of her favorite people on earth when she worked with her in 2006 and tagged along on a series of housesitting gigs Jen had landed for the summer. Jen is married to a wonderful Canadian named Liz who aims to study Homeland Security at Central Wyoming College next semester, a dog named Goose, and a horse named Duck.
Rachel Dodson (yellow)
Rachel is Anna's brother Mike's fiancé. She is the only person who Anna would consider going dress shopping with for the wedding. She is the definition of fun, has a twin brother (she's older), and teaches spin classes. As a newly minted lawyer, Rachel wrote up wills and health directives for us in case of our unexpected demise. And we should probably mention her Jewish heritage here. Anna sometimes loves her more than Mike, but mostly she loves them the same.
Abby Patterson (green)
Anna and Abby spent their college orientation together in Tonto Canyon. That was followed by years of living together. They share a love of diners and beauty as well as a penchant for always getting caught and mild hypochondria. Abby's prints have been the first to go up on the walls of every house Anna's moved into. She makes Anna laugh. Consistently. Abby lives outside Philadelphia with her husband, John, and their son, Mac, who was born on Thanksgiving Day.
Mahea Campbell (blue)
Mahea and Anna went to high school together and have been part of each other's families ever since. Blessed with a savant's memory, Mahea is in charge of remembering the details of Anna's life for her. Mahea's full name means "the majestic dragon that travels on the winds of love on the night of the full moon" in Hawaiian. She knows how to use fun words and attended a slew of Renaissance Fairs as a kid. Mahea lives with her wife, Alea, on a farm in Northern California and runs an art gallery.
Annie Clausen Scott (purple)
Annie and Anna met in Baja while working field courses for NOLS. At the time, Annie dreamed of meeting a Banjo-playing man with a kind heart who would make her laugh. And then she met him. They got married and had a redheaded daughter, Eliza, on a goat and blueberry farm. Annie just gave birth to her second redhead, Wyatt. She grows and sells vegetables out of her garden and greenhouse, is part of every bluegrass band in Lander, and loves water in all its forms. Together with Jared, Annie shows us what's possible as a parent and partner.
Zach Seligman (red)
Zach and Evan met in middle school and they shared a consistent passion for outdoor adventure. They went backpacking, backcountry skiing, and mountain biking together and have remained best friends. Evan even moved in with Zach and his family during a year off after high school, in an attempt to remain in New Mexico after Evan's parents had begun their Northern migration. Zach seems to have caught the bug, and is currently living and working in Anchorage, AK. Just last year they went on a week long packrafting trip together in the Wrangell mountains of Central Alaska.
Sam Gast (pink)
Anna's youngest brother brings light and joy to family gatherings. Currently residing in San Francisco, he's on the cusp of spreading his wings and flying through the next stage of life's adventures. Evan is giddy with excitement over getting not just one, but two new brother-in-laws, having grown up with only an older sister.
Joe Paar (also pink)
Evan's original favorite brother-in-law. Joe is married to Evan's older sister, Heather, and they share a home and two beautiful daughters in West Seattle, WA. Joe consistently and lovingly provides a financial education to both Evan and Anna and he is always excited to catch a movie or expose Evan to big city cultural outings like a Seahawks football game. His work ethic continues to inspire Evan, as does his consistent love for Evan's entire extended family (we can be an opinionated bunch!).
Jessica Burch (orange)
Evan met Jessica during their orientation weekend at Colorado College. They were immediate friends, and Jessica kept Evan from getting into too much trouble while Evan convinced Jessica and her siblings to put on thrift store costumes and go out to eat chicken fajitas at local Mexican food restaurants. Jessica has served as a consistent listener and sounding board for Evan as he has navigated life's adventures and relationships. No matter the stormy weather, Jessica has been a confidant and a nurturer in Evan's life.
Nick Buehrens (yellow)
Nick and Evan lived on the same hall their freshman year of college in Colorado. Nick had just finished working his first course for NOLS, and Nick has been a mentor and friend for most of Evan's adult life. Nick taught Evan to ice climb, and Evan (an often boisterous presence) learned the value of quiet competence from Nick. They still meet up about once a year to climb and catch up, anywhere from Cody, Wyoming to Canon Cliff in New Hampshire.
Abby Patterson (green)
Anna and Abby spent their college orientation together in Tonto Canyon. That was followed by years of living together. They share a love of diners and beauty as well as a penchant for always getting caught and mild hypochondria. Abby's prints have been the first to go up on the walls of every house Anna's moved into. She makes Anna laugh. Consistently. Abby lives outside Philadelphia with her husband, John, and their son, Mac, who was born on Thanksgiving Day.
Mahea Campbell (blue)
Mahea and Anna went to high school together and have been part of each other's families ever since. Blessed with a savant's memory, Mahea is in charge of remembering the details of Anna's life for her. Mahea's full name means "the majestic dragon that travels on the winds of love on the night of the full moon" in Hawaiian. She knows how to use fun words and attended a slew of Renaissance Fairs as a kid. Mahea lives with her wife, Alea, on a farm in Northern California and runs an art gallery.
Annie Clausen Scott (purple)
Annie and Anna met in Baja while working field courses for NOLS. At the time, Annie dreamed of meeting a Banjo-playing man with a kind heart who would make her laugh. And then she met him. They got married and had a redheaded daughter, Eliza, on a goat and blueberry farm. Annie just gave birth to her second redhead, Wyatt. She grows and sells vegetables out of her garden and greenhouse, is part of every bluegrass band in Lander, and loves water in all its forms. Together with Jared, Annie shows us what's possible as a parent and partner.
Zach Seligman (red)
Zach and Evan met in middle school and they shared a consistent passion for outdoor adventure. They went backpacking, backcountry skiing, and mountain biking together and have remained best friends. Evan even moved in with Zach and his family during a year off after high school, in an attempt to remain in New Mexico after Evan's parents had begun their Northern migration. Zach seems to have caught the bug, and is currently living and working in Anchorage, AK. Just last year they went on a week long packrafting trip together in the Wrangell mountains of Central Alaska.
Sam Gast (pink)
Anna's youngest brother brings light and joy to family gatherings. Currently residing in San Francisco, he's on the cusp of spreading his wings and flying through the next stage of life's adventures. Evan is giddy with excitement over getting not just one, but two new brother-in-laws, having grown up with only an older sister.
Joe Paar (also pink)
Evan's original favorite brother-in-law. Joe is married to Evan's older sister, Heather, and they share a home and two beautiful daughters in West Seattle, WA. Joe consistently and lovingly provides a financial education to both Evan and Anna and he is always excited to catch a movie or expose Evan to big city cultural outings like a Seahawks football game. His work ethic continues to inspire Evan, as does his consistent love for Evan's entire extended family (we can be an opinionated bunch!).
Jessica Burch (orange)
Evan met Jessica during their orientation weekend at Colorado College. They were immediate friends, and Jessica kept Evan from getting into too much trouble while Evan convinced Jessica and her siblings to put on thrift store costumes and go out to eat chicken fajitas at local Mexican food restaurants. Jessica has served as a consistent listener and sounding board for Evan as he has navigated life's adventures and relationships. No matter the stormy weather, Jessica has been a confidant and a nurturer in Evan's life.
Nick Buehrens (yellow)
Nick and Evan lived on the same hall their freshman year of college in Colorado. Nick had just finished working his first course for NOLS, and Nick has been a mentor and friend for most of Evan's adult life. Nick taught Evan to ice climb, and Evan (an often boisterous presence) learned the value of quiet competence from Nick. They still meet up about once a year to climb and catch up, anywhere from Cody, Wyoming to Canon Cliff in New Hampshire.
Graham Kolb (green)
Evan and Graham met four years ago in Lander, WY through NOLS and rock climbing. Evan was excited to meet a strong friend who's psyche for rock climbing exceeded his own. They pushed each other to work harder and have more fun while exploring the limestone and granite crags of Wyoming. Graham humored Evan by letting him believe Evan was mentoring him in alpine climbing and outdoor education, but usually Evan was just excited to absorb some of the limitless motivation for life and rocks that seeps from Graham's pores.
Andy Brown (blue)
Evan lived with Andy in college, but they became really close after graduation. They often meet to ski or paddle large objectives, and Andy tolerates Evan's crazy energy with laughter. Over the past eight years they've skied the Grand Teton, climbed and skied in the North Cascades, paddled the Grand Canyon and the Snake and Salmon rivers. Andy has an enviable ability to channel luck in the outdoors, and Evan feels luck every time they travel or hang out together. Andy currently lives in Seattle with his fiancé, Karla, and their young puppy, Charlie.
Michael Gast (purple)
Anna's younger brother is consistently the most excited person about getting a new brother-in-law. He lives in Oakland, CA with his soon to be wife, Rachel. He used to play rugby with the Seattle Quake Rugby team, which Evan thinks sounds really hardcore. He helps Evan wade through Jewish culture and tradition, and he always brings laughter and levity to family gatherings. Evan and Anna are psyched to have another fun sibling couple to travel and play with (in addition to Heather and Joe on Evan's side of the family!).