Amy and I met as children at Schweitzer United Methodist Church. We grew up going on Church Choir tour in the summers, and graduated high school together. In more recent years, we spent more time together when we were both living in Kansas City! She has been one of my longest friendships and has always been there through thick-and-thin.

Niki and I have been besties since meeting each other on the D1/D2 float trip the summer before we started dental school. After the first semester of dental school, I vented to Niki about needing to re-evaluate my study habits due to difficulties studying alone. Niki and her study buddy, Dan, agreed that they had room for one more. From then on out, I saw those two every day for the next 3.5 years. I truly believe that I was able to get through Dental School because of Niki and Dan. If you're looking for a dentist in the KC area, she's your girl!

"KK" is my first cousin -- the sister that I never had. Although we lived 8 hours apart, we still saw each other as much as possible. I spent summers going to the Kaufmann's family farm in Iowa, and I learned what it's like to get your hands dirty! I distinctly remember being out on the farm on day with KK and complaining about the smell of the hogs coming from the barn. KK didn't miss a beat and followed up my disgust with, "it smells like money." I'm so grateful that KK was there to make me just a little less prissy!

Like Amy, Stephanie and I grew up together. She was my neighbor and we carpooled weekly to Children's Choirs of Southwest Missouri. I remember every choir practice was followed by a Dairy Queen treat. We truly became close when we were both living in Kansas City following our years in college. Stephanie is a true blast!

"Dr. LCDR Kat" and I met while both assigned to the USS BONHOMME RICHARD. She was my roommate on the ship and confidante when I needed help with anything Navy. She is a true badass woman who is also an excellent provider, Naval Officer, and friend. Although she moved to Pensacola not all that long ago, we sill make time for weekly phone convos. Not everyone loves their time underway with colleagues, but my time was AWESOME because of Kat.

I met Lindsay in San Diego through at church lifegroup that I decided to attend one night by myself. She was immediately welcoming and warm to me. Only a couple of weeks after meeting, I found myself a little bit homeless. I rented my condo on Air BnB while I was scheduled to be underway with my ship, and of course, our underway schedule changed (thanks a lot, US Navy). Lindsay and her husband, Parker, generously offered to allow me to stay at their house after only meeting a couple of times. I promised I would only be there for a couple of days... That couple of days turned into 2 weeks! We had the best time together and I found myself sad when it was finally time to get underway (maybe she and Parker weren't sad, but we'll never know haha). We've been extremely close ever since!

"MareMare" is my first cousin - like Kayla, she is also the second sister that I never had. I spent many a summer with both Mary and Kayla in Iowa on their farm. We jumped on hay bales, swam in the corn crib, rode bikes into town, and did all other things that kids do on the farm. Mary is also a fellow dentist - starting her own practice in Harlan, IA. She is behind me in age, but I look up to her as a professional and also a friend.

"Pagine" and I met while both attending the University of Tulsa. She grew up outside of Tulsa, so her family quickly adopted me, as well as many of the other Theta girls. Paige's family land is where I learned to shoot a gun (hence the AR15 in the photo). We spent many nights out in the "man shack" with her brothers, mom, and dad. Paige was always down to hang out on late nights in the Theta house between study sessions. She's an Petroleum Engineer, wife, and mother - and she truly rocks at all three of those jobs. She's a loyal friend to anyone who finds themselves lucky enough to be graced by her presence.

Blair and I met while competing at America's Junior Miss the summer after high school, and we were randomly assigned as roommates. We spent 2 weeks together and became fast friends. The following summer, we both decided to go back to AJM as "Has-Beens", just so we could get back together. Although we met in-person over 13 years ago, we have remained close friends during college, dental school, residency for Blair, and the Navy for me. We have only spent 3 weeks and some change together in-person, but never miss a beat when we're able to get together or catch-up virtually. We're looking forward to attending her wedding this fall in Santorini, Greece!

“Mini-me with less hair” Devon has been my best friend since 1997 when he decided to come into this world and do everything his older brother has done, except ten times better. I’ve been living in his shadows for the last 25 years but I couldn’t be more proud of athlete, officer, follower of Christ, and pilot he has become. You may be a 6’ tall stud, but just remember: I’m 6’2.

Connor and I met in 1995 when he came into this world and made me an older brother. He definitely stole all of the intelligent genes that were supposed to go to me when I was being created, but he gave me the best gift I’ve ever gotten: my first brother. Expect that any and every cool thing you may see on the website or at the wedding was probably designed by him.

“Sig Chi Mike” as they call him; Absolute legend of all legends. All of my college memories involve Mike in some way, shape, or form. You would never know that he is a neurosurgeon after hearing all of the stories of us behaving ourselves at Penn State, and he somehow always manages to pump-up my ego. Try not to fall in love with the guy, ladies.

“K-Money” Life. Of. The. Party. If you ever hear a banger song, it’s guaranteed that Kenny is on DJ at the time. Along with Mike, just about every story from Penn State involves Kenny in some way: Cheer, THON, football, and our annual trips to Penn State’s away games touring Big Ten campuses. Prime example of generosity and love.

“B**ching Billy,” famously known for his Corona Cruisers, and I met in flight school in Corpus Christi and continued our history of following each other across the country back to Florida and now to San Diego. Too many stories to tell, but if you get the chance to talk to him at the wedding, make sure you dedicate at least 30 minutes before expecting him to finish telling his rendition of our memories together.

“John Joseph” and I became friends back in flight school in Corpus Christi, TX when I saw him swimming across a channel with a 30 pack of Natty Light on his shoulders to re-supply the party across the cove. Ever since then, we’ve become locals at any and all SEC football schools, devoted to becoming die-hard fans of whichever home team we were visiting that week. He might be a Marine, but don’t let the high and tight haircut fool you — he’s a softy.

Big Penn State guy. The epitome of “don’t take life too seriously.” There isn’t a single bar in State College, Pensacola, Corpus Christi, or San Antonio that hasn’t been blessed with hearing him sing DTD’s rendition of Josh Groban’s “You Raise Me Up” at karaoke night, or even better: not on karaoke night. Great guy, great officer, and even better friend. Just lacking in the singing skills.

“Diesel” AKA “Sherminator”. Kyle was my first best friend back in elementary school where we would go swimming every day after school until the big kids got home from middle school to come pick on us. He and I have played just about every sport together and share a love for God, Guns, red meat, and the military. He’s torn just about every tendon in his knees so take it easy on the man on the dance floor. Just try not to get him going about his Blackstone grill either.

“Rayman” and I met in first grade while walking home from the bus stop. In our childhood entrepreneurialship, we created a monopoly of the snow-shoveling business across the community, and spent days and days crabbing the beautiful polluted waters of Rock Creek. If you want crypto, business, or golf advice, he’s your guy.