From sharing a bathroom, closet, and American Girl doll clothes when we were five and three, to now still sharing a bathroom and also a love for the medical field when we are in our twenties, Annica and I, although very different, are still very similar in the ways that matter. As her big sis, I admire her extreme honesty, her ability to put others first in every situation, and her painstakingly long story-telling skills. One piece of advice for being Annica's friend: pop some popcorn and open an entire bottle of wine (no need for a glass) as soon as you see your phone light up with her call. Having Annica as my Maid of Honor is something we have both been anticipating for years, and it is rather bittersweet now that it is finally happening. I am grateful for her fire and her love, and I can't wait for the next few months with her by my side.

Nick is my big brother. My earliest memories of Nick were him being pissed off when I peed in our shared bed. Nick is passionate about shoulders, knees, and elbows…hence his job in the medical field. Nick is obsessed (some people would say overly obsessed) with Notre Dame Football and Cardinals Baseball. Nick has always been a very supportive brother, whether that be coming home from college to watch my sporting events or driving 6 hours to the middle of nowhere Kansas to watch a 20-minute Police Academy graduation. Nick has always been there for me and I’m glad he will be standing by my side for my and Paige's big day.

Ashley came into my life seven years ago when Ben and I first started dating. At first, I was very intimidated by her because she would threaten to leave Ben if he didn't hurry up and come out when she came all the way out to my house (at midnight on a school night) to pick him up from our date. Now, that intimidation has been replaced with admiration. Watching her become an officer, a wife to Stephen, and mother to little Lu has been nothing short of amazing, and I look to her as both a friend and a role model. From beach vacations, to Jeep rides around Jeff City, to family dinners or house parties in Atchison, it's safe to say that Ashley is the big sis I've always wanted but never had, and I am forever grateful for her continuous impact on my life.

I met Stephen in 2020 when he began dating my sister Ashley. I first remember Stephen showing up during Covid when he and Ashley first started dating. Stephen and I bonded over me beating him in Rummy. Stephen has been my pitch partner at family gatherings, even though we’re the newest players. Stephen has been a great friend and an even better father to my niece Lucy. I couldn’t imagine not having Stephen standing next to me on my wedding day.

My days in college would have been much duller without Miss Lauren Kennedy. She brings the energy into every room she walks into, and is (well, used to be) the life of the party (ahem, Rhett)...just kidding. I am extremely grateful for her unconditional love and laughs, the unlimited supply of free coffee from Cafe 62, the strange late-night conversations in our kitchen, bringing Rhett into our little family, and all the nights on the town in good old Atchison. I have and will always take it as a compliment when people mix us up, whether it was on the Lady Knights basketball team in grade school, in the halls at Helias, walking around campus at Benedictine, or at Mueller's on a random Saturday night. I strive to be as easy-going, funny, and enjoyable to be around as Lauren.

I met Nicky seven and a half years ago when I started dating Paige. Nicky is 1/3 of Paige’s triplet siblings. The first thing I remember about Nicky was hearing him screaming at his video games while Paige and I tried to awkwardly watch movies in the den when we first started hanging out. Nicky and I would always play basketball, whiffleball, and other games together. Even with our height difference, he would somehow always make it a good game. Nicky has always been a great friend and brother to me, and I’m glad he can be involved in my and Paige’s wedding day.

Elle and I have been great friends since we began Kindergarten at St. Stanislaus in 2007. She has been a strong and consistent presence in my life for over 17 years (woah). From kids choir to skiing in Colorado to being her ambulance driver to living together throughout college to going out in Kansas City, we've been through it all together. Everyone needs someone like Elle in their lives - she is incredibly intelligent, honest, reliable, easy-going, and will be there for you any time of the day (unless she skips town and leaves me to go to France for an entire semester again).

I met "Porting" during my Junior year of high school. Jacob and I have bonded over our passion of guns and all things hunting. I think he’s shot my guns just as much as I have (and it always happens to be with my ammo). Jacob was with me when I killed my first deer and first buck on his grandma's farm, which I will always remember. Jacob has been my best friend since high school and I couldn’t get married without him being involved.

Grace and I have known each other since we played on the same Knights basketball team in 7th grade, and since sophomore year of high school I have considered her one of my best friends. There have been many ups and downs that we have experienced together over the years, and I am in constant awe at the woman she has become. Watching her play soccer is exciting, but going to St. Louis Blues games together is even more fun. Grace is someone who has been such a constant and strong presence in my life that I do not know what I'd do without her. She is extremely intelligent, the kindest person I know, and an absolute hoot to be around. Grace is truly one of a kind and I am so thankful for her.

I also met Caleb when I started dating Paige. Caleb is 1/3 of Paige’s triplet siblings. Caleb always got kicked out of his gaming room when I came over, so Paige and I could watch movies. Caleb would always come into the room and peek in and ask how much longer our movie would be...whether he wanted to play video games or Jill sent him up to check on us. Caleb always carried me in video games and helps me stay up all night for work. Caleb has been a great friend/little brother to me and I’m glad he is going to be to be a groomsman.

Kenley and I have been friends since coach pitch softball in second grade. From there, although we went to different grade schools, we remained friends throughout grade school, especially through softball and basketball. In high school, we had the same friend group, and again were teammates on the field (we were the best first-base-second-base duo). One of my favorite memories with Kenley to this day is still winning State together our senior year of high school and everything that followed. Now, Kenley and I no longer share softball in common, but a love for the medical field. No matter what we’re doing, it is always a good time if she’s around. Even though we don’t see each other often, Kenley has been such a consistent friend in my life, and I don’t know where I’d be without her strong presence in my life. I am so excited that she will be celebrating with me on my wedding day.

I met Kian during my freshman year at Benedictine as a random roommate assignment. Kian always allowed me to play GeoGuesser on his computer, even though I paid for it. Kian and I enjoy watching Premier League soccer at 8 am on Saturday mornings, even after long nights. Kian has been a friend of mine and Paige’s all throughout college and I couldn’t imagine him not being by my side on our wedding day.

Gracie and I have been good friends since sophomore year of high school. My first impression of her was that she was a badass because she did what she wanted without a care what others thought. To this day, she is still that free-spirited and independent woman. I admire her intelligence and drive in life, and I love that we share a love for the medical field. Everyone needs a friend like Gracie, mostly because her fierce love will give you a confidence boost, a laugh, or a rant session when you need it most, but also because her presence alone will make you feel welcome and loved.

I have known Blake since 6th grade when we kept the bench warm playing Knights basketball. Blake and I remained close through high school and did everything together. Even though we went to separate colleges we FaceTimed frequently, usually talking about what sports bets we were going to make. Most of the time we both lost money. I couldn’t imagine not having my fellow bench warmer by my side on my wedding day.

Molly and I go all the way back to CMVBC volleyball in 6th grade (go Titanium!). She is one of those friends who, even though it's been months since we've seen each other, we can pick up right where we left off, always having a good time. My favorite days with Molly are forever going to be the spontaneous pool days we'd have, where we would hang out all day with Grace, Gracie, Kenley, and oftentimes Annica talking about anything and everything. Molly is someone I look up to for always being so confident, successful, and extremely independent. I am very thankful she is such a good friend of mine and that she'll be involved in my wedding day.

I met Rhett when he started dating Paige’s roommate Lauren. I’ve only known Rhett for about two years but in that time he has become one of my best friends. Rhett and I were both history majors at Benedictine and bonded over having to stay up late writing papers because we both procrastinated. I’m glad to call Rhett my friend and glad he can be involved in my wedding day...even though he thinks he’s a bouncer.

Even though we didn't know it, Kerry and I first met freshman year at Benedictine when we sat next to each other in Chemistry class. We eventually actually became friends down the road when our friend groups meshed, and since then she has been a very constant part of my life. Living together for the past few years has been nothing short of my favorite part of college, and 314 will be dearly missed. Through countless late nights at Mueller's, late-night snacks, family dinners, and so many other memories, Kerry has become one of my best friends. I am also very thankful she will be around for the next few years so I have someone to hang out with. I am so excited she is part of my big day!

Matt and I met freshman year when he was my roommate. Matt always made me laugh with his finance bro personality. One of my first memories of Matt was him and I in a theater class together. We both just spent the whole class talking, thankfully Paige was as well so she could carry us through the class. Matt has became a great friend of mine and I’m glad he can be in my wedding.

Catherine is quite literally one of my favorite people I have ever met. She and I were introduced when Ashley and Stephen started dating my freshman year at Benedictine. We immediately clicked and got along very well. I remember when I broke my hand sophomore year, I walked up to her room in Liz Hall and she took care of me. Although we are both two of the busiest people to exist, especially with our fiances living far away from Atchison, we still make time to get ice cream or dinner every once in a while and catch up. She is my current roomie, after all! I am so thankful for Cat's constant love and support, and I can't wait for her to be part of my day in December!