In a land, far far away...

On the first day of his junior year at McPherson College, Jonas made a beeline for the last few seats. Opting for the spotlight, he plopped down front and center, inadvertently giving Chloe a full view of his towering head. Initially a forced arrangement, their banter soon began to flow. A month in, and their pre-class chats, filled with dreadful puns, electrifying circuit talk, and sketchy art discussions, became the highlight of their day. Then, Jonas was a no-show one day. Chloe caught herself gazing at his vacant chair, her mind wandering—was he under the weather, or just behind on homework? Either way, his absence was felt.

The following day, Jonas made his entrance and claimed his seat. Chloe, who had spent the day contemplating the vacancy of his chair, gave him a nudge on the shoulder and quipped, "Hey, I'm always staring at the back of your head and honestly I'd very much like to get to know the front some time. Want to come over after work?"

From that point, their bond deepened into something more extraordinary than they had ever envisioned; endless brunches, evenings spent watching "How It's Made" and "Planet Earth", innumerable moments of laughter, days resonating with music, and a desire to spend every possible moment together. After six and a half years, they have chosen to embrace all that life has to offer, side by side, for eternity.

Bridesmaid

I’ve known the bride since 4th grade! If I remember correctly she was wearing a burgundy scrunchy and matching top the first day of 4th grade when I met her! One of my favorite memories of Chloe is when we went on a trip together a few years ago to Bentonville, Arkansas. We saw the crystal bridges museum and went to a cat café. The best part of the trip was getting drunk on cheap wine in our hotel room and watching Ghost Adventures. We would later sneak down to the lobby and become friends with the front desk receptionist who let us into the pool after hours. Before we went swimming we attempted to sneak her some wine in a lidded coffee cup. She refused but still let us into the pool. It was an amazing trip! I look forward to all the adventures I will share with Chloe, and Jonas (because to Chloe’s, dismay Jonas and I are basically the same person and therefore together we are double annoying), and what the future will bring to two of my favorite people!

Bridesmaid

It's 2016, the first month of my freshman year of college. I'm feeling awkward and sitting alone in the cafeteria when Chloë confidently strolls up to me saying, "Hi, you're Lillian, right?" She scooped me up that day and made sure that I felt seen and welcome, and we've been growing together ever since. Chloë is one of my life-long best friends that I can't remember life without her anymore. We get to experience so much together through art, music, dance, nature, laughter, and simply each other's company. I wouldn't be who I am today without Chloë.

Bridesmaid

I met Chloe in 2016 in college. And Jonas a couple years later when they started dating (:

I remember when I first met Chloe at the cafeteria in college. We were both in the graphic design and fine arts program so we spent a lot of time together then. We used to go on car rides after clases all the time, make cakes at 1am, have movie nights, and practice embroidery together!

BridesMAN

Chloe always used to come into my room when she wanted some company, setting up concerts under my bed and making my stuffed animals have the far seats while hers were on stage moshing. My other story is more of a fact across time - she's always been a safe space for me to explore thoughts, feelings, and anything causing me some conflict. 

For Jonas, I remember him for his curiosity - his strongest trait. He loves to observe, reflected in his interest in the inner workings of all things and his appreciation for the broad perspective in his photography. He loves to build understanding through his curiosity on a wholistic level that is unique to his thinking process.

Groomsman

It is so absolutely wonderful to be apart of the wedding of two of my dearest friends Chloe and Jonas! Though there is unfortunately not much photo evidence our memories together, the bonds I’ve gotten to forge with this amazing couple are longer lasting than any snap, polaroid, print, or jpeg. I was blessed enough to meet these two early on in my college career, Jonas only slightly before Chloe. Jonas and I shared a dorm together Sophomore year of college. We also had an apartment together with a couple other friends. Eventually Jonas’ absence was noticeable from the apartment with Evan, Leighton, and I, but we couldn’t hold it against him. From then on, Chloe and Jonas were as inseparable in person as they were in name when mentioned by others. The cadence of “Chloe and Jonas” was, and still is, as iconic as Mac and Cheese or Dinner and a Movie. Each is rarely mentioned without the other. Throughout our friendship, I’ve gotten to experience amazing trips to Pennsylvania, incredible Halloween parties, college interterm science classes with Chloe, or Jonas and I engineering with Starbursts. These two have been both as individuals and as a couple some of the most important people I’ve had the pleasure to know. Seeing them together now, and how far they’ve come, I am very proud to be one of the best men at their wedding. I would not trade our many memories for the world. I also hope that we can continue to make many more memories for years to come!

Groomsman

Jonas and I knew each other all through school, but we probably really started getting close in late middle school and early high school.

Some of my earliest memories were walking home from middle school together, always spending all our money at the local corner store before making the long (short) trek home.

We used to maybe get up to too many shenanigans in our high school classes. Sometimes, maybe too many times, we had to be separated during class.

We really started to get to know each other after high school when we would spend a lot of very late nights together just talking about life over some video games or board games.

From walking out in a dead corn field in the middle of winter just to go "exploring" to dragging him out to the store I used to play card games at, so we could spend late nights playing games with friends. He has always been one of, if not my best, friends.

Groomsman

It's utterly mind-blowing and amazing to me to see my brother about to be married to Chloe. But let us all be well aware that deep down under that intelligent and stoic persona is a small maniac alien bug boy who just wants to annoy you.... Forever. Love ya brother!

Groomsmaid

How long I've known Joe:
My whole life, unfortunately (I jest).

How long I've known Chloë:
Since a little after you two got together.

Earliest memory with Joe: I was very little and had only been reading for a short while when we were sitting on the couch together and I had a book. I was reading it aloud when Joe said, "Don't you know how to read silently?" Of course I didn't know what that meant, and he explained it further with something along the lines of, "You know, in your head." I really doubted it would work but I tried this 'reading in my head' and voilà, an entirely new concept was born (in my eyes).