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David Burant - Jesse's Brother
Jesse Says: Well, I would say David is the greatest brother ever, but I'm sure
Rachel would argue that point with me. So I'll say that David is my favorite brother ever! Ok,
that's not quite as impressive sounding either considering he's the only one I have (for now that
is)! Well, let me just say that I am eternally grateful I had Bob as a brother (I affectionately
refer to him as Bob. Bob is just one of those names, and since his middle name IS Robert, I have
the liberty to call him that!) while I was growing up and even still to this day. Aside from the
friendly (and sometimes not so friendly) brother-brother battles, we have always gotten along really
well. That probably has a lot to do with the fact that we have a LOT of common interests. Whenever
I was bored, I could usually count on Bob to be there to do something with whether it be a video
game or a backyard game of baseball. David can be incredibly shy at times, so I pretty much had to
force him (non-violently of course) into being the Best Man. But I'm sure he'll do a heck of a job!
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Amanda Hays
Rachel Says: I have so many great memories with Amanda. She is so much fun to
be with. Amanda also went to Truman High School. I didn’t know her as well as Erin or Pinder.
However, once I got to know her during freshman year at Northwest, I realized what an awesome
friendship I missed out on in high school. I’m so glad God brought Amanda into my life. She is
a strong Christian girl who is always smiling and laughing. I know I can always count on Amanda
for some great advice and some great times together.
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Erin Roberson
Rachel Says: Erin is a fellow band member from Truman High School. She is one
hilarious girl who always has a smile on her face. I always thought Erin was sweet and like Pinder,
I also talked to her occasionally. However, we didn’t become good friends until freshman year at
Northwest. Surprisingly, both Erin and Amanda roomed together that year and they just happened to
be right next door to Pinder and me. This was obviously God’s doing. We ended up doing so much
together and going through all of those firsts in college with each other.
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Julie Schweer - Rachel's Cousin
Rachel Says: I can remember when my cousin, Julie, was born. I can’t believe how
old she has gotten. It has been fun watching Julie grow as my family attended countless Hertlein
get-togethers in St. Louis. When Reva, Julie, and I were younger, we always talked about how we
would be each other’s bridesmaids…and here we are!! I was happy to ask Julie to be my bridesmaid
and I was even happier when she said yes. Julie is a sweet girl with a good sense of humor. I’m
looking forward to watching her grow even more and I’m honored to have her as part of our wedding
party.
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Rachel Pinder
Rachel Says: I could say so much about Rachel. We met in high school during marching
band. We both played the clarinet. During our senior year, we discovered that we both planned to go
to Northwest. Even though we only talked occasionally, we decided to become roommates. It wasn’t as
scary rooming with someone you knew, as opposed to a complete stranger. From the first night together,
we instantly clicked. It seemed we had the same likes, dislikes, fears and goals. We have roomed
together ever since. I feel truly blessed knowing Rachel. I know without a doubt that God put her in
my life for a reason and I am forever grateful.
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Brad Joerres
Jesse Says: Ah yes, Bradley! The master of dance himself. (Sorry, inside joke
there... I wonder how mad he'd get if I posted those videos here? Hmmm...) Anyway, the story of
Brad and I is an interesting one. Well, at least I think it's interesting. I actually met him
years before he would become a good friend. I met him through my once best friend Josh of all
people while I was in high school. Well, Josh and I would drift apart soon after and I never
heard much from Brad for the next couple years. Freshmen year at CUW, I actually had him in a
class, and never even knew it until he stopped me in the hall and introduced himself and told
me how he went to high school with Josh... and then I remembered. But after that class, we went
on our ways again. Then, sophomore year, I decide to move into the dorms at CUW. And wouldn't
you know, Brad lives just a few rooms down the hall! Not only that, but I find out he's a computer
science major! I didn't know because I was working on catching up to everyone else since I started
CS classes a semester late. And of course, like all the other CS majors in my class, we all became
excellent friends. See, now wasn't that an interesting story? WASN'T IT!?!?
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John Sanfelippo
Jesse Says: I met John sophomore year at the same time I was discovering Brad to
be living just down the hall from me in Wittenberg. That's because, John was Brad's roommate that
year! And apparently I had had a couple other classes with John freshmen year and would have never
known so if he hadn't told me. The three of us (plus a fourth) all lived together for our Junior
year in Regents. John has got to be one of the funniest people I have ever known. And it all just
comes so naturally for him too. Ever read The Onion? Well, John was the mastermind behind all the
articles of The Shadow, an underground paper the three of us worked on at CUW that is inspired from
The Onion. Hilarious stuff! He's also a super smart guy. I remember in our programming class one
year, no one had a clue what was going on in class, except John, so he gathered everyone together
and we went to a classroom one night and HE taught us the material. This guy's good! Very happy to
have him standing up in the wedding!
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Jon Hagedorn
Jesse Says: Hopefully you're catching on... yes, Jon is yet another good friend of
mine who I met through my days in the computer science program at CUW. And, like Brad and John, I never
really saw him much until second year. Actually, that year I think I only really got to talk to him when
he came over to Brad and John's room or when he ate lunch with us in the cafeteria. And then of course
when we all lived together, I saw Jon more often. Jon is a crazy hard worker, both at his job and back
when he was in school. I know first hand... when we created our French-bot in Artificial Intelligence
class our senior year! OK, maybe that's not the perfect example, but at least our robot worked as good
if not better than everyone else's! But I digress... One interesting side note: Jon will actually be
getting married a month and a half before I do, even though I proposed first. And I get to stand up in
his wedding! That should be a fun expereince! Plus it will let me have an idea what exactly I'm in
for! :)
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Buddy Hertlein - Rachel's Brother
Jesse Says: Since I asked Buddy to be my 5th representative groomsman, I get to
do the honors and write up a little description of him. Buddy is a good kid you just can't help
but love. His youthful enthusiam plus a complete and total lack of inhibition of talking to people
lets you see real quick that he has a heart that is bigger and kinder than most peoples', regardless
of age. When he laughs, which is often, you can't help but smile or laugh yourself. When I asked
him to stand up in the wedding for me, he replied that he would be honored to! This kid has some
class! And I am the one who is truly honored to have him standing up there with me.
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Katie Borcherding
Flower Girl
Rachel Says: Katie is one adorable little girl. She and her family attend Messiah
and her mom teaches with my mom. She is in kindergarten now, but I can remember holding her when
she was just a baby. She has always been a sweet kid with a smile on her face. She was so cute when
I asked her to be our flower girl. She excitedly said yes and went on to tell me about the dress she
is going to wear in another wedding. She loves to get all dolled up like a princess and I know she
will make the ideal little princess in our wedding!
Christopher Schweer - Rachel's Cousin
Usher
Rachel Says: My cousin, Chris, is a funny kid. I’m always surprised when I sit
down and talk to him. He has a dry sense of humor that is beyond his years. While he sometimes
appears to be quite the ornery kid (sometimes he really is), he has a good heart. I’ve enjoyed
watching him grow as well. I’m glad he will be taking part in our special day.
Amy Wilson - Rachel's Cousin
Guestbook Attendant
Rachel Says: My cousin Amy is growing up so quickly. She is a sophomore in high
school now. Everyone in my family would agree that she is an incredibly sweet young lady. Although
I don’t get to see Amy as much as I would like (she lives in Utah!!), I have always found her to
be very caring and close to her family. Like Katie, she always has a smile on her face. I am
blessed to have her in my family and I am happy she is going to participate in the wedding.
Pastor Nicolaus - Rachel's Pastor
Pastor
Rachel Says: Pastor Nicolaus has been a large part of my life, especially my
spiritual life. He has been my Pastor since I can remember. Joining Messiah has to be one of the
best decisions my mom has ever made! I was confirmed by Pastor Nicolaus in 1999. During my college
years, he was and always is there for me, even 100 miles away. He has always answered any questions
I have by email and is always there to give excellent advice and direction. I am very happy to
have him performing the ceremony.
John Arndt
Music Director
Rachel Says: I have known Mr. Arndt since I was a little girl. He was actually
my third grade teacher. Over the years, he has been my teacher, band director, school choir director,
church choir director, bell choir director, and friend. He is a sweet man and a good teacher. He
knows so much about music. He is extremely talented and can play numerous instruments. He is also
the one who taught me how to play the clarinet and got me interested in the band. He has played a
big part in our church and I am honored to have him play a part in our wedding as well!
The Edwards
Family Choir
Rachel Says: I have known the Edwards since I was very young. Kevin and Anne must
be amazing parents because they have raised three great children: Rachael (not pictured yet), Keith,
and Blake. The entire family has incredible musical ability. I have sung with all five of them in
our church choir and have always been impressed when they do solos or sing as a small group. They
are a warm, loving family and I am so thankful they have agreed to share their amazing talents with
us on our wedding day. I know they will sound beautiful and I can’t wait to hear them!