Their freshman year of high school, Katie and Carrie were the only freshmen in a sophomore PE class. They were doubles badminton champions and have been best friends ever since. They have stayed best friends through attending different colleges, each working full time in ministry in different states, and a summer of being roommates at FUGE. This friendship runs on Marco Polo, countless road trips, and lots of iced tea.

Kelsey and I met the weekend before we started Kindergarten at Country Day when our parents who had gone to LC together saw each other outside of the gym. Meeting Kelsey is my most vivid memory of 1995, and I’m so thankful for 20+ years of friendship with her! We promised each other somewhere around 3rd grade that we would be each others’ maids of honor one day, and it's so much fun and sweet to see that dream come true. It was my joy and privilege to stand by her and Steven in 2011, and I’m so thankful to have her by my side on December 4.

Carrie and Celia Grace worked FUGE Camps together in 2016 and immediately hit it off when Carrie handed CG a bag of washi tape and asked her to decorate staff notebooks. When CG moved to Nashville, the friendship was sealed for life.

Chelsea and Carrie were roommates at LSU. Chelsea has spent several holidays at the Dodson house over the years and is a part of the family. She has the best laugh and accent of anyone you’ve ever met.

At Carrie’s first meeting for serving with City Students, she noticed a girl with an identical David Yurman bracelet to hers and knew that she wanted to be friends with her. A few weeks later, Carrie and Grace worked the welcome booth on a Wednesday night, and the friendship was set in *silver*.

Kaylee and Carrie were roommates at LSU and shared a bathroom for two years. Thankfully, Kaylee still wanted to be friends after that. Kaylee “jumps” into every situation with so much joy and enthusiasm!

Rachel is married to Carrie’s youngest brother Christopher, but Carrie and Rachel have truly become close friends over the past several years. Carrie was the only girl in the family for a long time, but she has loved sharing the Dodson name with Rachel.

Sam and Carrie were roommates at LSU and got to spend the summer of 2010 together in London. Sam is the most intentional friend a girl can have, and she makes every gathering the best celebration.

Let’s just say that I’ve known this guy for a long time. As a dad, he is ALWAYS supportive and encouraging, willing to lend his ear or share some sage advice. From rides to and from soccer practice, inspiring my love for how things work, and giving me my first cigar, he has always been my biggest fan. He and mom live in Knoxville and have always been such wonderful parents.

Chris and Justin became friends while involved at Central Baptist Church while in high school. Trips to Centrifuge, Orlando, and to the beach were always more fun with Chris. His sense of humor is so spot-on and really just makes the party. Chris and Justin were also roommates for a couple of years as well. As an avid gamer, Chris has contributed to Justin's habit of playing Call of Duty way more than I should. Haha...thanks buddy. Chris and his wife Heather love spending time with friends on the lake and catching the latest movies.

Christopher is Carrie’s youngest brother. He and his wife Rachel live in Birmingham with two of the sweetest golden doodles, Charlie and Bentley. Christopher and Rachel have been so welcoming, as has the rest of her family. They also played a very big role in our engagement, as Justin hid out at their house for a couple of days before he popped the question in Nashville.

Chuck and Justin became friends in college when they were both at UT. Chuck was one of a few friends that didn’t live at home during college, so many nights were spent at his apartment. Justin would have never imagined it then, but chuck gave him his first job out of college with the Christian non-profit that he and his dad started. Chuck and Justin still work closely together having been fortunate enough to continue his work with Chuck at Mission Serve. Chuck and his wife Amy live in north Georgia with their two kiddos, Drew and Marley-Kate.

Evan is Carrie’s middle brother and he is currently in seminary in Portland, Oregon. This past spring break Carrie and Justin did a whirl-wind tour of her childhood hometown and then we flew out to see Evan in Portland. He pulled out his Disney customer service skills and was the best tour guide and took them to some of his favorite spots. They had some delicious meals, and were able to see a movie in a theater for the first time in over a year. It was wild!

Freddie and Justin became close in high school and college while both were involved with the praise team at Central Baptist Church. Freddie would melt faces with his awesome guitar solos and Justin would make sure people could hear it all the way in the back. Now, they work together at Knox County Schools and grab lunch together frequently. They typically spend those lunches catching up on the work stuff, but we try to talk about family, friends, and their new favorite bourbon.

Dr. Smeltzer and I became friends in early high school as our families began going to Sunday lunch together after church. Smeltzer is the life of the party and always has a great one-liner ready to make you laugh. He is a great friend with an uncanny ability to know when to make you laugh or just listen and offer advice. He has lots of wonderful ladies in his life: he and his wife Kari, and their three daughters Caroline, Mary-Catherine, and Maggie live in Knoxville.

Rob and Justin didn’t start out as friends. They went to different elementary schools, but the same after-school program. They were mortal enemies...haha. Then in middle school, both were in chorus together and Justin quickly learned that Rob had the voice of an angel. Throughout high school they found out they had a lot in common and became great friends. Rob’s unwavering love of UT sports, and Jimmy Buffett music are just a couple of the reasons why Justin and Rob get along so well. Rob, his wife Ashley, and their son Peyton live in Knoxville.

Dr. Ellenburg and Justin have been friends since Kindergarten...they met while playing in the saw dust bin in Ms. Oaks classroom in the fall of ‘87 and have been friends ever since. From playing roller-hockey in the driveway in middle school to spring break trips, watching the Vols, and making a couple of trips to Europe, they have made a life-time of memories. Trent and his wife Jennifer are wonderful friends. They have two kids, Caden and Mary-Michael.