Ayla met Cami on the Union cross-country team and immediately admired her sunny outlook on life that was rooted in trusting the Lord. Over the summers Cami and Ayla have had many epic phone conversations while Ayla is doing a 2-hour long run, talking about everything from prayer to flowers to Ayla being nervous about starting to date Caleb! Cami loves owls and uses the word 'bussin' when something is very good ;). Ayla is so happy that Cami said yes to being her maid of honor! Cami will be leaving for a 2-month trip to South Asia on June 5th and would appreciate prayers for her time there.

Caleb and Nate first met as they were both starting college at Union University, though they both are from Knoxville! They became roommates after their freshman year. Their friendship has grown immensely over the past four years, with lots of disc golf (rain or shine!), late night Mario Kart sessions, and Cookout runs along the way. Nate is a consistent source of encouragement, laughter, and mischievousness :) even when school has been stressful or things haven't been the best. He knows how to lift your spirits when not much else will.

Ayla and Victoria became fast friends during their first cross-country season together. Victoria is goofy and caring and funny and such a good listener. Ayla and Victoria both think they are so funny and laugh at their own jokes, but other people don't always think so. Victoria is that special kind of person who will stop for you while you pick flowers on a long run in the middle of a conversation about what heaven will be like. Ayla is so lucky that Victoria said yes to being her bridesmaid (but she was very cold waiting for her to come back from the library so she could ask :))

Caleb and Micah were roommates from the start, as well as teammates on the cross country team. If there was one word to describe Micah, it would be consistent. As a friend, roommate, runner, and most importantly as a follower of Christ, this word sums up who Micah is. Everything about Micah puts on display his genuine love for Christ and His church. While Micah knows when to be serious, you never know what's coming next from his goofy side. :) Caleb was sad to say goodbye when Micah graduated a year early, but he was excited to be able to be there by Micah's side as a groomsman at his wedding. Now, Caleb gets to have Micah by his side as well! :)

Ayla met Addi when she came to visit Union as a cross-country recruit. Ayla was waiting for Addi at the elevators with her arms crossed wearing head-to-toe black running gear with reflective sunglasses to boot -- no surprise Addi thought she was intimidating! (Ayla doesn't get that very often so she thinks it is funny) Ayla loved Addi from their first run together and prayed that she would decide to come to Union so they could know each other more. Addi loves teasing Ayla about how long she laughs (which makes Ayla laugh more). Ayla loves stopping by Addi's dorm (2 doors down) to answer random questions about organic chemistry and ask random questions like 'Will you be my bridesmaid?'. :)

Caleb picked Tristan up at the airport on his first day in the United States as they were headed to Union to start their freshman year (Tristan had just flown in from his home in Ireland). Tristan was roommates with both Caleb and Micah, and he was also on the cross country team, which was at the time the main reason for his coming to Union. Little did he know that his life would be forever changed though his time at Union, as God worked in his heart to save him. So much growth has taken place in Tristan's life during his time at Union, and he will be the first to tell you that. Tristan started out as a friend and motivated teammate to Caleb, and he has grown into a strong, intentional, and reliable brother in Christ.

Ayla met Lainey when they moved in as roommates freshman year of college! Ayla is truly blessed to have such a loyal friend who cares enough about her to tell her when she is just wrong or just needs to go to bed. Ayla is duly impressed at Lainey's cooking skills, which look a little chaotic from the outside but (almost) always turn out delicious. If anyone talks to Lainey at the wedding, be forewarned that her Southern accent increases 20x when she is socializing with new people ;). Lainey was so excited when Ayla asked her to be her bridesmaid that she ordered her bridesmaid dress the same day (after checking with Ayla about color and per previous conversations but Ayla thought it was funny).

Caleb met Sam during their freshman year, then they became roommates when their sophomore year began. Sam has been a faithful friend and encouragement to Caleb over the last few years. Sam has also been a source of all kinds of fun, from donuts and drives during the "Snowmageddon" week in the early spring of 2024 to late nights of Rocket League (during which Sam carried Caleb haha). Sam is always willing to help out when you need it, shown by the time he helped Caleb try and fix something on his car for hours one Saturday out in the cold. Though it's sad to think about this being their last semester rooming together, Caleb is so excited to have Sam by his side as a groomsman!

Ayla and Annette had some classes together freshman year, but they really got to know each other after Ayla stood up at the end of class one day and asked if any of the girls were looking for roommates. Annette is pretty talkative once you get her sleep-deprived and laughing in the living room at midnight. She is super fun to tease, especially when you tease her for having a little sass (which makes her more sassy but she tries not to show it). She is also incredibly intentional, making sure to have one-on-one conversations with her friends despite the busy schedule of nursing school.

Caleb and Michael became roommates senior year, but they picked up as if they had been roommates all along. There have been many times when they'd unwind together after a long day of school or work by playing some Rocket League or just hanging out around the dorm. Michael is a fun, chill guy who loves a good book or a game, whether that be playing or watching (booooo Michael's a Chiefs fan haha :)). Caleb is pumped to be able to have Michael by his side as a groomsman this June!

Ayla and Drew have known each other since they were babies, so they don't even remember meeting. What they do know is that when they were 4 years old they really didn't like each other. But they ended up playing together every summer that Ayla visited her grandparents in OH, until eventually they were good friends. They started calling each other summer sisters, and then discovered that they were fourth cousins! (somehow they had both forgotten) Drew has such a contagious joyful energy, she is forever convincing Ayla to do things that turn out to be a lot of fun. And she said yes to being Ayla's bridesmaid!

Caleb and Christian met during their first couple days of being at Union, and they've been good friends ever since. They've had several classes together since they are both majoring in Cell & Molecular Biology in hopes of attending medical school, and they've also been lab partners multiple times, including in Zoology and Developmental Biology. They've made lots of memories over the years with movie and game nights, snow days, and long hours of studying, just to name a few. :) Christian is a great guy who is super fun to be around, and Caleb can't wait to have him by his side as a groomsman!