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Written by Brandy

Judith Barnes

We met at Bradley University my sophomore year. Judith pledged my sorority Alpha Chi Omega her freshman year. By chance we were thrown together and became fast friends. For 3 years of school I was her pledge mom, though we both did a great job of taking care of each other (car pooling to bars, hitting the frat houses and minding the party circuit). After school Judith and I moved to Chicago and we lived across the street from each other. Fourteen years later we have been through many jobs, many interesting nights, added to our friends and lived the city life and had a great time with it all. Judith is my favorite grocery store friend – you know the person who, just to spend time with you, (and vise versa) will accompany you to the grocery store. I think our best times were when we were doing absolutely nothing.

Judith has taught me to be kind and to have a big heart . I am honored that she will be our maid of honor.  

David Jablonowski (David J.)

Wow what a great friend who started out as a great adversary. Like so many of my friends we met a Draft. We sat near each other and I was so chatty with my cube mates that it drove David crazy. To this day he owes me for getting him out of cube land and into his first office. Once we were separated we realized how much we had in common. Namely his sense of humor which keeps me rolling and our love of the theater. We have seen many great shows – big musicals and cabaret acts and every Oscar ceremony since 1997.  If I could ride on David’s well traveled coattails I would have worn out at least 3 sets of luggage. And one day I hope to catch up to seeing as many places as he has.

David is gracious and has more manners than most people even people below the Mason Dixon line. And he has graciously agreed to celebrate our wedding from the front lines.

Christine Bowes (“Bowsie”)

Christine was one of my first new friends in Chicago. We sat in a hallway together at Draft Direct – my first job. Christine and I made it our job to pass the time together and to have a really good time. As we grew in our careers so did our friendship. Professionally we dug each other out of problems, counseled each other when we made mistakes and really celebrated together when things would miraculously go our way. Personally, Christine is the “popular girl” to my “practical side”. She also accessorizes her wardrobe beautifully, better than anyone I know.

Though we no longer work together she keeps me smiling and laughing and wishing my job were still sitting with her in a hallway learning PowerPoint and Excel together as we did together 10 years ago.

Amy Kretzschmar

Amy is my oldest friend and represents everything great that I grew up with in Texas. We met in dance class when we were about 10 years old. I was good in ballet and she was good at jazz we were the yin and yang of the dance studio. Amy’s greatest friendship achievement was sticking with me through the very awkward Jr. High years. We survived homecomings and school dances and her family was there to make sure we were there our perms were coiffed and our layers of make up were applied and we were appropriately teased. Now that I live so far away from all my Texas necessities Amy and her daughter Kasey make sure I eat all the Bar-B-Que I can hold every time I come down.

Amy is sweet and sincere and a girl who knows what she likes (mostly her family and horses) everything a Texas girl should be. I was thrilled when Amy asked me to stand up in her wedding, and thrilled that she will stand up in ours.

Laurie Nations

Laurie is the best boss that ever turned into a friend. We worked together and didn’t work together and worked together again. Well the last time it wasn’t so much work as it was getting stuff done in between laughs and stories and post work cocktails. She is the first person who ever told me I was good at my job and gave me a real shot to prove myself. Every year Laurie throws one fantastic fall family kegger and if you are lucky her son Ross will get your beer.

Laurie is my mentor professionally and personally. She has always supported me no matter what. Now she will support us on our wedding day.

Caroline Nations

The obvious “Sweet Caroline” comes to mind when you meet Laurie’s daughter. She is great at singing the theme to Sponge Bob Square Pants and can offer great advice when trying on dresses. She loves wedding gowns with long choo-choo-trains and lent a hand to me when selecting mine. She is a little bit shy and all together beautiful.

Caroline has cheerfuly agreed to celebrate the marriage of “Brandy and Mr. Whiskers” (her words) by being our flower girl.

Written by Tim

Loren Kemp

I’ve known Loren his whole life. In the early years, the four older kids made sure Loren knew that he was the baby of the family. It lasted until he outgrew us (it didn't last long).

For many years, Loren and I were roomates (even during and after college). Lots happened throughout the years and we've spent lots of time together; he was our 8th grade football team's waterboy, we've witnessed each other's very amateur golf game (including lots of interesting wedge shots, especially on hole #9 at DG&CC hitting the clubhouse), we’ve built lots of essential furniture (bar, computer desk and herb garden), attempted many home “improvement” projects, started banking careers, endured ever-changing hair-lines, adventured to many dive bars, flipped a few cards and downed countless martinis.

We’ve mostly celebrated our way through life; however, there were some trying times where it was good to rely on each other too.

Renee Trumm Curtiss

I first met Renee on the doorstep of 545 Heritage Drive in Dubuque during the fall of 5th grade. Renee and I became close friends as we planned the social calendar of all the cool kids of our class at St. Columbkile’s. As our families can attest, this meant that we had to spend lots of time on the phone talking about extremely important happenings in our lives. Renee quickly became a staple in my life and she could often be found around the Kemp family household for cards, board games or whatever. I too spent lots of time at her house (I was known as “Eddie Haskell”). It didn’t take long before all of the Kemp kids were friends with Renee and her sisters.

When I need a good laugh, learn about Dubuque current events or talk about the good ole days, I hang out with Renee and Davin. I'm also very popular with their kids, as they've come to know me as "lakehouse Tim." 

Joe Roth

Oh boy…what do I say about Joe? I met Joe during college at DePaul when I was a freshman and he was a junior. During those days, spending time around Joe meant that I witnessed his very finest behavior (especially at Chase Tavern, the Local Option, McGees, Kelly’s Bar, The Dive and a dozen other establishments in the Lincoln Park area. At a kegger, I introduced my sister Kelly to Joe and they quickly became friends, very good friends. It didn’t take them long to get married, move to the suburbs, have 3 incredible kids and buy minivans.

I always look forward to being around Joe. During summers, it’s almost every weekend at the lake. When you meet Joe, you quickly learn that he’s quite the character, he’s matured a little bit from the college days and life is always more fun and interesting with him around. In our group, he’s the funny one; he’s the life of the party, the one you never know what he’s going to say. If you ever find yourself standing next to Joe, proceed at your own risk.

Andrew Bridgeman (Sidge)

Karla jetted off to London for several years and came back with Sidge, kids and a bit of an English accent. Sidge is one of the more interesting blokes of the bunch. Sidge is always loads of fun and constantly has something to contribute.

When hanging out with Sidge, you quickly learn that he is extremely patient, has many passions in life and usually has too many projects pending. His energy and zest is immediately apparent no matter what he’s up to, whether it’s bellying up to a bar or taking care of Henry and Megan. Everyone needs to spend more time with Sidge, Trust me, you’ll come away with a bit of an education on antique cars, and probably a hangover too.

Jim Griffin

I always knew there were Purdue fans somewhere in this world but never knew that I would be related to one. Growing up in Iowa, living in Illinois and going to graduate school at Northwestern, means that I’ve always cheered for teams other than Purdue. Jim has educated me on the benefits of attending the Purdue games…first class tailgating!

Jim and I have lots in common; we strongly value our families, we’re best friends with my sister Kerry, we’re both very handy around the house (well, we try), we enjoy great food and wine, we closely follow Chicago sports and we married women in advertising. Jim is one of those guys that you can always rely on if you need a favor or just need a beer and a laugh. 

When I moved back to Chicago from California, I lived across the street from Kerry and Jim. For a couple years, we spent almost every night together for dinner, drinks, cards and on Sundays, the Sorprano’s.

From time to time, I commute to Kerry and Jim’s place in the suburbs and It's always lots of laughs, a great meal, enjoyable wines and quality time with their two adorable kids (soon to be three).

Hayden Kemp

Hayden will soon be three. Hayden isn't aware that he spent the first two years of his life trying to grow his body and catch-up to the size of his massive cheeks. Up to now, Hayden has been very top heavy and is just developing into a sturdy, smiley and playful toddler.

Chronologically, Hayden ranks number 9 out of the 10 (soon to be 11) nieces and nephews I have (not including the numerous honorary nieces and nephews I have from friends and extended family). Therefore, when Hayden came along, the family had its share of crying babies, dirty diapers and other assorted baby surprises. It could have been very easy for Hayden to blend in with the others. However, he really never did. Hayden has a unique style to how he interacts with others. Or at least that’s what this proud godfather has witnessed. It has been impressive watching him along the way and finally reach an age where he can easily play with his older nieces and nephews. For these reasons, Hayden’s been that special nephew/godson. And now as our ring bearer, we’ll always have that additional irreplaceable bond.

When asking Hayden to be our ring bearer, I created a movie, “A Question for Hayden,” and burned it to a DVD for him. Loren and Jeanne tell me that he loves to see himself on the big screen and runs around the house explaining to everyone that he is going to be Uncle Geek’s ring bearer. Click the below graphic to view this 7 minute, 9.4 MB QuickTime video.