In 7th grade, Abby got assigned to create a band with a group of girls in choir, and one of those girls just happened to be Lexi. The band had a great run, receiving the passing grade required of them and retiring before school’s end. The friendship formed between Lexi and Abby did not end, though. Their connection lived on, and the pair survived all odds together, including show choir (this doesn’t sound difficult, but it was) and over 10 years of growing up. The two have watched several hours of One Tree Hill, attended many concerts, and ventured on a lot of quick trips to the gas station for Polar Pops. Abby holds this friendship close to her heart, and she looks forward to growing up even more with Lexi. Riley and Lexi also share a great friendship, as the two met as toddlers at Buttons and Bows. Without Lexi, Abby and Riley may have never met.

It was a cold winter's day on a two hour bus ride to the longest day in choir history when Crystal and Abby met. Everyone on the bus was talking about the latest drama, but Crystal chose to listen to Abby's bad jokes instead. Thus, a beautiful journey began. Old Disney Channel movies, lots of crappy Chinese food and chicken nuggets (sometimes simultaneously), YouTube, and many MANY trips to Target all compose the amazing bond that these two share. Abby feels blessed to have found her “person” in Crystal. She understands her more than most people (there’s a lot to unpack there), and she never fails to give Abby the push she needs (good or bad).

On the first day of sixth grade, there was only one seat left for Shelby to sit in, and it just so happened to be next to Abby. The two sat there awkwardly until class began, and Shelby leaned over and said, “Hey…can I borrow a pencil?” The very studious Abby was shocked that someone would come to school without such a utensil, but she obliged, and the two quickly became best friends. Nearly 12 years later, Shelby and Abby are still just as close. Abby can’t imagine what her life would have been like without the silly videos, absurd characters, disastrous recipes, and unnecessary amount of crafts created with Shelby. As a side note, Abby and Shelby have always shared a love for theater and the performing arts. This love introduced Abby to the Fountain Square Theater, and she is excited to have all of these memories in her heart as she walks down the aisle.

In college, Abby dedicated most of her time to a very special group called BSU Tonight. This group brought her so much, and Rachael falls on the top of that list. As Abby transitioned into adulthood and found her place at Ball State, she had an amazing friend by her side. Rachael has always been there to talk to Abby or just offer her a hug when she needs it most. You could always find these two standing in the corner together at every gathering or sitting in Abby’s living room getting WAY too into Dance Moms (team Chloe for life). Abby feels lucky to have found someone that she can look up to as much as she does Rachael.

Lauren is Abby’s oldest sister. Despite being 8 years apart, the two have always shared a strong bond. Lauren is the person that influenced Abby’s love of music, braided her hair at night (so it would be nice and crimped at school), taught her how to apply eyeshadow, pulled out her loose teeth in a pain-free way, and introduced her to all of the 90s classics. She also passed on a bit of sarcasm to her little sister. Abby has always and will always look up to her sister, and she feels blessed to have such a strong relationship with her.

Megan is Abby’s older sister, and the person she has gotten into the most trouble with throughout her life. Whether it was creating a hockey field in the kitchen or throwing a glow-in-the-dark ball at each other in dark rooms, these two always found something new to eventually get scolded for. From the time they were in bunk beds until now, Abby has always found herself scheming up some new chaos with her big sister. Abby looks up to her sister and knows that not everyone is so lucky to have two rad sisters to consider her best friends.

Jake and Riley have been friends for nearly 20 years. The two have grown up together, constantly finding new adventures to take and trouble to get into. Riley asked Jake to be his best man because he knew he couldn't possibly embark on his biggest journey yet without his best friend standing by his side.

Riley and Dakota became friends through Lexi and Abby. After many double dates and small get-togethers, the two developed a bromance that is both cute and unsettling to those around them. From ganging up on the girls to sitting on the couch and playing video games for hours at a time, Dakota and Riley never cease to entertain one another.

Ross is Riley's little brother, and despite spending the first 18 years of life bickering and accidentally putting holes in the wall, these two brothers share an unbreakable bond. Whether it's carrying out jokes to mess with the rest of the family or just showing each other new video game trailers and comparing notes, Riley enjoys spending time with his little brother and can't wait to continue to grow with him. Side note: Abby has always wanted a brother, and she is so excited to have Ross fill that role. She has enjoyed getting to know him, even when he teases her or beats her in Catan.

Riley has also known Gavin for about 20 years. Since the day they met in day care, these two have never not been in trouble together. From getting tackled for ding-dong ditching as kids all the way to drinking in the basement as adults, the pair always finds new ways to create chaos. They never fail to have some crazy story to top everyone else's, and Riley is thankful for all of it. Because of Gavin, he has memories that he will look back on and smile for the rest of his life.

Riley met Ben during his freshman year at ISU. They survived the aviation floor together and even went on to be roommates for the next three years. Their relationship consists of trips to the gym, jokes that Abby never fully understands, and the occasional Truly. Riley was honored to stand by Ben's side on his wedding day, and he is even more honored for him to do the same.

Riley also met Jourdan during his freshman year at ISU and roomed with him for three years. It took no time at all for the two boys to become best friends, and they went on to spend countless nights playing League of Legends or talking about football. Riley is forever grateful for the connection they share, and even though Jourdan puked on Abby that one time, she secretly thinks he's alright too.

George and Abby have been best friends since they were toddlers. The two spent their entire childhood together, running around the neighborhood, eating an unhealthy amount of quesadillas, and getting much too invested in Mario Party. Without George, Abby's life would have been much less interesting, and certainly less fun. She is thankful to have had such an amazing friend to grow up with, and she knows that George will forever have a special place in her life.

Since the moment AJ and Shelby started dating, he and Abby have been best friends. This led to many double dates and many, many nights of Abby and Shelby annoying him endlessly. Abby is thankful that he is so patient and willing to put up with her because she can't imagine how boring her life would be without the constant shenanigans and laughter that have come from this friendship. AJ and Abby have shared many Twizzlers and good times over the last 8 years, and she can't wait for the fun that will come in the future.