The Ladies
Katie Parrish
Matron of Honor
Katie is my wonderful, beautiful, delightful sister and, most importantly, my best friend. Growing up together we had occasions of screaming but trumped these with several occasions of laughter and joy. It wasn’t until she moved out and left for college that I realized the influence she had over my life and I am forever grateful. She has taught me so much through her words, but more so through her actions. She is an amazing role model for a Godly wife and mother. Katie and her husband Brian are currently located out in east Tennessee with their sweet little girl Kharis (and a new addition will be joining in February!). Katie is living her dream as a stay at home mom, which I love. We are always excited to get texts with pictures of Kharis or stories of her newest adventures. I love my big sister and thankful to have such an amazing matron of honor.
Wirth…. I mean Ashly
Ashly and I met our freshmen year of college, lived together our sophomore year, and ended up in the same appartment complex for a period of time after college. Our memories are numerous including, but not limited to, Taco Bell runs, TV date nights, random practical jokes, stupid alarm clocks, Oprah, and lots of laughs. She has such a genuine, caring, encouraging, way about her that you love her instantly. I love the fact that we have the same name and were “Wirth” and “Arnold” throughout college to our friends (and always will be).
Amy Broadhurst
Amy was another BFF from my college days. We met when Amy was a freshman and I was a sophomore and this little spitfire fit right in with our group of friends and we were instantly blessed by her presence. Her laugh is contagious and her laid back, yet extremely organized, mannerisms make me love her oh so much. Even though she headed back to Kansas City after college and I stuck around in Springfield, we keep in contact regularly and don’t miss a beat when we see each other. Her smarty pants ways landed her a degree in ocupational therapy and she currently practices in Kansas City. I always love hearing about her cases and admire how well she is doing so quickly. I love me some Amster, what can I say?
Danavee Long
Danavee, Danavee, Danavee, how can you not love someone with a name like Danavee?! Danavee entered into my life on a very stressful day, my first job interview! Luckily I was hired (I am sure the fact that I had on a dress that she owned helped in the matter) and we were placed down the hallway from each other. She instantly took me under her wing and through her, I was able to meet a lot of wonderful friends. My teaching career has been highlighted with randomness provided from my great friend; an email that made me throw a breakfast sandwich, the infamous rat, Mr. Scarecrow, screams down the hallway, and so much more. If I ever need a pick me up or great stern advice she is a few steps away and I love her for this fact. She has encouraged and pushed me so much through my growing up years after college and I am so thankful she was placed in my life. She is one amazing lady. Danavee, her husband Kenny, and their dog Sir Chester live in Springfield in there newly remodeled bathroom and kitchen home. =)
Christa Rupar
My lovely friend Christa was placed into my life during grad school. We sat by each other in our first class and quickly began to cultivate a friendship that has grown ten fold in the past two years. She is beautiful inside and out and we often talk about convincing our husbands to place us in the same zip code for their own sanity purposes. I have loved getting to know her husband, Ryan, as well. It always tickles me that he cooks and serves us when I go up to visit and refers to us as the "bopsey twins" (whatever that means). Christa is an amazing servant and her love for the Lord shines through everything she does and says. I love having such and amazing role model my age that is walking beside me through these big steps in life. Christa and Ryan currently live in Joplin, although I pray daily he will mover her closer, with their dear old Montana.
Erin Boschen
I was blessed to meet Erin and her great group of friends while I was working in the high school department at our church and quickly latched onto her personality. Along with her friends, we enjoyed several movie, TV, hang out nights at my house and it has been so much fun to hang out with such a fun, outgoing, loud, and blunt little Boschen. I will always love the fact that I knew her before Chris and she was the one who felt we would be a good match. With all that being said, I am so excited for Erin to be my little sister. I genuinely enjoy hanging out with and talking with her and she is an all around great young lady. Erin heads up to my alma mater, SBU, to play soccer this coming year. I am excited to see what her future holds, she is pretty swell =)
The Gents
Jeff Boschen
Best Man
Jeff has been the best brother I’ve ever had…it also helps that he is the only brother I’ve ever had but I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt. Jeff is a great friend and as we have both gotten older we have really enjoyed spending time with each other. Whether it’s tennis, board games, or Jeopardy we always have a great time competing with each other. He is literally the smartest person I have ever met and is currently working on a degree in chemistry at Truman State University, after which I’m sure he will go on to do great things. I’m really blessed to have Jeff as a brother and to have him be a part of our wedding.
Bryan Otradovec
Bryan and I have been friends since we were in the 2nd grade and I’m quite sure he hasn’t stopped talking since. Anytime I hear my phone ring, it’s a safe bet to put your money on Bryan. We grew up together through junior high and high school and have shared many great times together. Bryan has always been there for me when I needed him and has an easygoing attitude that allows him to strike up conversation with anyone he meets. Bryan has been married to his wife Shannon for 2 years now and they live in Springfield with their Siberian Husky, Mia.
Andrew Guthrie
Andrew and I became friends during my sophomore and his freshman year at Mizzou. We even decided that we could tolerate each other enough to be roommates together for the next two years. Andrew thinks he is never wrong and I think he is never right so as you can imagine our arguments never came to a quick end. Our friendship was very George Costanza and Jerry Seinfeld, in that our meaningless conversations went on far too long and never ended with anything productive. We spent many weekends yelling our lungs out at basketball and football games only to recover during the week so we could do it all over again. Andrew has a great desire to serve the Lord in all that he does and is officially the second smartest person I know (sorry Jeff still has you beat). He has been one of my best friends for the last 7 years and I know we will continue to stay close. He is currently attending law school at Baylor University and will graduate in May of 2011 and will inevitably pursue a career that requires other people to listen to him talk.
Brandon Snider
Brandon and I go back to the days of little league baseball and Mighty Might football. Summer nights were spent at Earl Smith’s backyard baseball field doing hitting drills and being reminded continually not to sit down in the grass because it was swarming with crocodiles. All through elementary school, junior high, and high school Brandon and I have been close friends and spent tons of time together. I’ll still always wonder what part of his brain was not programmed right to make him an Atlanta Braves fan instead of a St. Louis Cardinals fan, but I’ve been able to look past that all these years. Brandon has always been a hard worker and I admire that quality in him. Brandon just recently graduate from the physician’s assistant graduate program at Missouri State and currently lives in Fort Gibson, OK with Allison his wife of 3 years and their Puggle, Gibbs.
Ryan Bandermann
BANDERMANN! If I had to describe Ryan it would be hardworking, dedicated, and trustworthy. Ryan and I started hanging out during my sophomore year at Mizzou and have been friends ever since. We spend lots of time on the Rec. football field and in the gym-playing pick up basketball games. Ryan was even there to listen to me scream in pain as I shredded my ACL during a flag football game and even helped work out the cramp that hurt surprisingly more than the tear did. Ryan was right there alongside Andrew and I during some exciting and frustrating Mizzou football and basketball games. Ryan graduated from Mizzou with a Masters in Physical Therapy and currently lives in Cape Girardeau, MO with his wife Whitney and their Boston Terrier, Kegan.
Jordan Jones
Jordan has been my roommate for the last 3 years as we both attended Optometry School in St. Louis. From the very beginning we have gotten along great and it has been great to have a close friend to get through all the tests, practicals, and boards over the past years. Fortunately we have had plenty of time for the finer things in life like long hot days out on the golf course. I would like to contend that when it comes to our golf games we are dead even but recent outcomes would suggest that I’ve fallen off pace a little but that is sure to turn around. Jordan is a blast to be around and has the kind of laugh that makes everyone around him laugh right along with him. He has a big heart and I know we will remain close friends throughout the years.
