The Big Day is Here!

Today's The Day!

How It All Started

Here it is - my first date with Lauren!

February 14, 2003 - History in the Making

This is the night that started it all. I swept Lauren off her feet and quite possibly off the dance floor that enchanted evening at the Palomino in Columbia.

Our second date was at Addison's a week and a half later. Magic ever since. Time to seal the deal!

1 Day to Go!

Straighten Up and Fly Right

Many years ago, I was lucky enough to attend a Lyle Lovett concert with Lauren and her parents. Man, did it get rowdy. Some people stood up for whole songs! It was crazy, just like you would expect from an LL show.

Because I knew it was going to be such an amazing show, I lovingly crafted t-shirts for the whole group.

I also made shirts for Lauren's parents. If I remember right, the sayings on those were:
- Lovett or Leave It
- I Luv Lyle

Man, where do I come up with this stuff?!?!? Brilliant!

Two Days to Go!

Fall of the House of These Guys

Hello again! It's Tuesday so that means it's time for another session of America's favorite rapid fire blog post - Better Know an Usher!

Doug Surber and Danny Collins!

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Evan Ericson and Dirk Otis

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Jason Russell

Good luck on finding a seat with these clowns in charge.

Three Days to Go!

Behind Every Good Woman, There's More Women

BOOM! Here it comes - America's favorite rapid fire blog series..Better Know a Bridesmaid!

Matron of Honor - Sarah Stock!

Her resemblance to Angela from The Office is uncanny!

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Maid of Honor - Annie Jack!

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Meg Totten!

She's the psychopath in the middle.

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Margy Fischer!

Margy's really living the dream. She grew up to be just like her childhood hero - April O'Neil - and is a real-life reporter!

Here she is dropping some knowledge on precision farming technology. I could watch this all day!

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It's a wild and woolly bunch - this could get interesting.

Four Days to Go!

Man, Gang of Four owns it.

Yes to:
- bolo ties
- cheap wine
- Jon King's dance moves

Is Mr. King any relation at all to Elaine Benes?



Outstanding.

Karaoke King!

Ah, the empty orchestra - karaoke. I've wooed Lauren many a time with my sweet, sultry love songs. I pretty much put my heart and soul into the songs I sing.

You really need to muscle up to hit those high notes.

It usually is an interesting experience.

Singing, shouting, it doesn't really make a difference.

Here is a list of songs that I have actually sang in public:











Currently there isn't a karaoke session planned for the reception but anything's possible.

5 Days to Go!

The Legend of Billy Jack

Here is the last post in America's favorite blog series - Better Know a Groomsman! Saving the best for last, Billy Eckelkamp!

Here's a better picture:

Billy is the biggest animal lover I know. Also the biggest animal hunter I know - deer, duck, gorillas, unicorns, chupacabras. You get the point.

If you ever have the chance to stop in Washington, MO be sure to look up Billy. He knows the best old man biker bars in town. And he also hosts fight clubs in his basement. He will also compliment you on your sweet leather jacket.

Nice jacket, bruh.

Most importantly, Billy is a great guy. He loves his lady, Margy, and he loves his dog, Crown. In that order. Most of the time.

Billy Bear Claw in the house!

6 Days to Go!

Runs in the Family

Apparently the perm pictures of Lauren were a big hit, so I gots to give the people what they wants!

I'm guessing this was taken during Christmas.

Lauren's got some great genes, all the way up to her hair follicles!

Before and After

I encourage all of our wedding guests to take before and after pictures of the night. Meaning, take a nice picture of yourself and your date right when you arrive and then have another pic snapped right before you get in a cab to go home. The results may be pretty fun.

Here's a before picture of Lauren and I before a Lambda Chi formal many years ago.

Before...

and After...

Looks like we had a great time!

7 Days to Go!

Dave...Fudge!

Here is another installment of America's favorite blog series - Better Know A Groomsman!

Up next, David Hayne Heldenbrand!

Ironically, the deer died of lung cancer.

I've known Dave for quite a while. We worked together as young pups at Price Chopper, went to high school and college together, and were later roommates in downtown KC. After this wedding I can finally get rid of him.

Dave and I making it official.

Always quick with his humor and wit, Dave has been my companion to concerts, movies and experimental Oompa Loompa treatments.

That did not turn out well.

The three most important things in Dave's life are (in reverse order): homemade t-shirts, pizza...

...and his fiance Carissa.

Perfect match, right? These two lovebirds are getting hitched in November. The world will never be the same.

Thanks, Dave!

8 Days to Go!

Shrimp on the Barbie

I know exactly what I'm getting myself into. I've done my research on Lauren. This is the most dirt I could find on her:

Oh, boy.

I still think I'm getting a good deal out of this.

If my eyes don't deceive me, I think they are sporting an early variation on Ogilvie Home Perms.

Funky Tut

Lauren and I bring the thunder when Halloween rolls around. We spare no expense for costumes or props.

Here's some pics from a few years ago - King Tut and Cleopatra!

Yeah, I know historically they weren't really a couple but for our purposes this worked out just fine.

Our hero, Steve Martin:

9 Days to Go!

Gonna Need A Lot Of Postage

Because the Big Day is coming up, I've decided to show the rest of the postcards I've sent Lauren in this post. Enjoy!

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10 Days to Go!

11 Days to Go!

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