Wedding Day! | Sept 19 2025

9/19

When I woke up and got in the shower, not only was I able to feel my calves and shins activating, you could visibly see them, and I called Callie in to check it out! She was shocked and amazed at the same time!

“Sunday Morning Coming Down” – Johnny Cash

This song reminds me of my dad and family. Early mornings Up North, either getting ready to get out in the woods, or pack up the truck to get going to the work ahead in the day. I wanted to play something that reminded me of my dad and brothers before they all came over. I’m really excited to be doing this with them. So all the boys were coming to the apartment, to finish up getting ready.

[Chorus]
On a Sunday morning sidewalk
I’m wishing Lord that I was stoned
Cause there’s something in a Sunday
That makes a body feel alone
And there’s nothin’ short of dyin’
That’s half as lonesome as the sound
Of a sleepin’ city sidewalk
And Sunday mornin’ comin’ down

I decided to put this song on, before everyone came over to the apartment. This is a time where I actually have a second to myself. To soak it all in. To think about what’s happening. Honestly it’s crazy. It’s been such a long go at it all, this recovery and wedding preparation, all at once. I can’t even imagine doing all this with anyone else. Even when we get frustrated with each other, There’s just a lot of love going in towards one another. Sometimes it’s easy to forget how far we’ve come. I guess that’s human nature. So, here I am trying to remind myself of that. Even if it’s only sometimes that we can remember. Not chasing perfect, but making progress everyday. 

Dad was the first to walk in, and him and I had a really great conversation. Him and I got to lament and discuss the past years happenings, and things moving forward as well. Man oh man, I’m already getting sentimental about it all. He also liked the music! Ha ha! We got to catch up and let the day soak in, it’s been a wild ride up to this point.

So the boys all came strolling in! John and Paul here first, then Jake with all the boys! I was up in the standing frame when they showed up, so I was at least up when they got here! I was already dressed for the most part, so I really only needed my tie tied and jacket and boutinere(?). I got some rock-n-sock em fellers out for the boys to play with while we were gettin dressed! Ha ha! Boy oh boy was it fun being that age! Hopefully they don’t mind their goofy uncles! TJ showed up and started taking a few pics of us getting ready!

We get ready, pile into John’s car, and drive over to the venue! fortunately it was right down the street! It felt so surreal getting out and getting there! We did it! We’re here! So we get out, us boys assemble to get a few pics of us doing our thing! And we wait for the gals to get ready!

They had us do a “first look” as in the moment when Callie and I first see each other for the day. Honestly, I wasn’t nervous or anything up till this point, but then, the thought about seeing my gorgeous bride, had me all of a sudden quiver with the thought of how beautiful she is going to be. So they lined me up, behind the shrubs, behind the gate, and I waited for my Cal. I could kinda “see” in between the fence slats, so I turned my head away, so I could really get a full surprise! And here she came. All dolled up to the max, and as beautiful as I could have ever imagined.

She was quite the spectacle, to be honest. I started to tear up, when I saw her come around the corner! I shook my head in disbelief, I couldn’t have been happier to have seen her in that moment, coming around the corner! So we grab each other, and hug, and then they take a few pics of us in this moment!

The timing from these first pics to then getting ready for the ceremony flew by! Ashley was there, with the Exo, and we chat with my brothers about where to get setup, and how we were going to do this!

Ashley suggested to start inside the building, but there was a small little ledge I would need to step down. I was concerned! I hadn’t done that before! Also too, it would be the first time I walk from concrete to grass, so this transition I wasn’t sure how I would do! It was a lot, and people started to fill in the seats! So we work to get into the Exo, use the theragun before to help loosen up my hamstrings, and then we’re off. Even with the fancy dress shoes we got to use with the Exo! So it was at this moment, where I worked on standing up.

All around my family, standing up in the Exo (Rewalk) for the first time with everyone around me, as opposed to being at therapy, was very emotional. I was so happy to be there with everyone. I was just trying my best to stay as composed and focused as I could, I had a nice little walk ahead of me!

So they get us lined up, and they’re off! First with Eloise and Henry, leading the way, and then my two oldest siblings, Jessica & Jacob. After them, Laura & John, and then to round out our Best Men & Bridesmaids, Paul & Addie. It was all happening, and so fast! Here we go!

I can’t even describe the feelings that were going through my head at this very moment, because it was so emotional. All I could think about was one foot in front of the other. That was it. Get up there for my Cal.

Wow. Just wow. I’m making it up! One foot at a time! At least the grass was a bit beaten down so I was able to make pretty good progress! It was amazing, I was up there! I was there! I’m now waiting for my Cal. Goodness! I cannot believe the emotions that came over me at this time!

And here I wait. I wait for my Callie. Oh goodness, I don’t know if I’m going to be able to hold it all together! and here she comes with Matt, Callie wrapped around his arms. I cannot believe this is all happening!

So here she came, down the aisle, and now she’s by my side. It’s really surreal, that this is all happening. I’m trying to hold myself up, balance just right, and stay steady on the uneven ground underneath me, turns out, I hadn’t stood in the grass like this before, and it took a little adjusting to get the hang of it!

This was an amazing moment, to be standing here in front on Callie, and there with my family (and new family!). Again, so incredible!

So the pastor puts on a beautiful service. Pastor Kevan was a joy to work with, and a blessing to have met. He was truly great to have been able to help Callie and I work and share this wonderful day! He had a beautiful sermon written for us, about how God works in mysterious ways. And truthfully, he’s right. It’s hard to know what’s going on outside of our day to day and what we have control over. Very thankful. So Callie and I read each other our vows, and we both try not to tear up. Callie’s were so sweet, truthfully she writes so beautifully, I knew hers were going to be amazing! Truly, a special moment.

And before we know it, we’re done! We’re walking down the aisle together! Callie and I made it down the aisle, and we stop at the back of the grassy area, and that’s where I stop, to then get seated. What’s interesting though, is we inadvertently set ourselves up to say hello and thank you to everyone who came to the ceremony! It was incredible to have been able to hug and thank everyone like this! So many tears were shed that moment!

It was incredible to have so many loving, caring, and amazing people to share this moment with us. It was absolutely and incredibly beautiful! I cannot begin to describe how important that has been to both Callie and I. I am so glad to have all of them here with us today. So thankful for these amazing people in our lives!

I was just in an almost dazed state. It all felt so surreal! all the hellos, all the love, all the well wishes. It was really amazing!

And then to the Baumstamm Sägen!

So Callie and I wanted to do something different. Something in between the ceremony and dinner! We found a really fun and interesting German wedding tradition! To honor both of our families German heritage, as well as symbolizing our first challenge to overcome as a married couple! Cutting the log together with the crosscut saw had so many symbolic aspects to it! My brothers helped source the logs, Evan helped with the Sawbuck, and then the saw itself. The saw came from my dad’s barn wall. It was hanging there for maybe 40yrs, since the barn was built! Before that, it came from my mother’s Uncle Gene, up in Roger’s City, MI. It came from the old farmhouse, not sure if it was the Klee’s or the Bruning’s. So dad and John helped fully restore the cross-cut, with new handles, cleaned all the rust, sharpened the teeth, and also set the kerf of the blades! John had to make a gage, that set the kerf to 0.020” of an inch! Love it. I really loved how much work everyone helped us with on this special day, to get all these events in place!

This was so much fun! Everyone’s reactions, the teamwork, the help, and every part of the process was absolutely incredible! I think most folks in the audience had a drink in their hand! So much cheering and rooting for us! It was incredible!

A special callout needs to be made for one therapist in particular. That’s Ashley. She’s been so vigilant in helping me since day 1 at Marquette to get me back on my feet. there have been countless hours, PT sessions, and different techniques and approaches to get me to where I am today! I wouldn’t have been able to walk down the aisle without her!

The day proceeded so well! We had so many fun conversations, and then dinner was incredible!

We had such an amazing time hearing the beautiful speeches! From Addie, and then my 3 ‘Best Men’ (my brothers). I love these dudes. They’re truly the best friends and brothers anyone could ever have asked for. I’m pretty lucky for the family I have, and in particular, my three brothers in this very moment.

We had our first dance, to a song that was very special to us. Candlelit, by Frightened Rabbit, really was a long and thought out decision for us to have finally found this one. Frightened Rabbit’s songs are not particularly “first dance quality” in the traditional aspects, but it has a lot of meaning to Callie and I. Scott Hutchison is our favorite artist together. He truly had an amazing ability about putting words to melodies from the heart. He wrote about subjects that have hit me especially hard since the accident. A lot of loss, and difficulties. I’ve cried a lot, to many of his songs. Especially My Backwards Walk, lately.

Here’s the chorus,

“Chorus]
I’m done playing stone-paper-scissors
Going to grab that stone and bring ’em all down with it
Steal those scissors and cut some throats
Put pen to the paper and I’ll write you a note
I won’t get in line
I will not wait for this
With my bare hands I kill
Just to be candlelit
With you”

Turns out, it’s true. To be here with Callie, I did not want to wait anymore, she’s been my guiding light, my rock, my foundation. I would steal those scissors and cut some throats for her. She’s been so amazing to me, and I cannot believe it sometimes. The lyrics really hit me pretty hard these days, and really resonated with us. So it was great we were able to find a song that we both absolutely loved, and were able to share this special moment with one another.

The following dances for both Callie and her Dad, as well as my mother and I, were also really special. special songs, and special day. pretty amazing. I guess I have gone from saying, “wild” alot, to “pretty (really) amazing”. But, that’s the truth. that really is.

We had an incredible evening, that went by in such an amazing way. Talks with family, talks with friends, dancing with everyone, and sharing so many laughs and smiles. I was so happy to have met some of Callie’s friends that I haven’t gotten to meet just yet! Callie and I have been so busy these days, we really haven’t had a chance to let loose like this. It was ‘really amazing’.

Also, I need to make a special callout to the entire team over at Marquette. What a cast of some pretty amazing gals. I wouldn’t be here without all the help from all of these very special ladies. They don’t get enough credit for what they do, and right now, I want to just say thank you to them, because it means so much spending day in and day out, helping me gain back every little bit of muscle strength and function, that I can possibly get. It means a lot. After a spinal cord injury, having a team like this is crucial.

I know usually when I am writing, this has been relegated and about my recovery. It is partially my recovery journal, an all. But today was incredible for my heart, soul, and my ability to overcome so many fears I had about approaching this day in this wheelchair. I had so many internal struggles and internal hurdles to have to overcome. But we did it, and we had an amazing day with it all! I think the entire party danced the night away, well past closing for the venue. it was truly an amazing and beautiful day. I love Callie, and cannot imagine working through this with anyone else! Glad to be here still, working on my body, and now my family, everyday.