Kars (Squeaky), the middle Askew, my built-in cool factor. I’ve basically spent my life being introduced as “Karssen’s sister,” which, honestly, explains a lot about my high school experience. I’ve always looked up to you because you move through life with this effortless lightness, like everything will work out… because of course it will. You talked me into Calgary for almost eight years, and somehow we packed a whole lifetime into that chapter, moving, travelling, and Stamped-ing our hearts out. Somewhere along the way, you stopped being the annoying sister who read my journal and became one of my safest places. I’m so grateful you’re mine.

Janel and I met at the gym, but we didn’t really become us until she invited me to her surprise wedding in Mexico. That trip felt like stepping into a movie, and somehow it also became the beginning of one of the most grounding friendships in my life. Since then, we’ve been almost inseparable. You’re the kind of person I can laugh with until my cheeks hurt, cry with when life feels heavy, and be mad with when I need to be honest and messy and still feel loved. The way you show up is rare. And every single time you call Billie your bestie, I melt, because it’s pure you… big-hearted, loyal, and all in. I’m so lucky you’re in my world.

Cee (Wanzy), the littlest Askew, my tough-on-the-outside and secretly-so-squishy baby sister. People don’t just meet you, they gravitate to you. Your humour, your contagious laugh, and your gift for turning any gathering into a full-on moment is exactly why everyone ends up at cornhole, or some other activity you’ve somehow made mandatory. You don’t sweat the small stuff, and without even trying, you’ve taught me how to loosen my grip, breathe, and enjoy what’s right in front of me. You bring lightness when I get too serious, and you make life feel more fun just by being in it. I’m so grateful you’re beside me on my big day, and even more grateful you’re my sister.

Sammy, Miss Van Den Bossche, my Calgary soulmate. We met in 2017 at a frat-boy Halloween party, and when you offered me a shot, I swear my heart was like, “Yep. That’s my person.” Since then, you’ve been woven into every chapter, the travel adventures, the dating slumps, the glow-ups, and the seasons where life quietly changes shape. There is something so rare about having a best friend who just gets it, who can relate to what you’re living in real time and still make you feel seen from miles away. Even with the island distance, we’ve held on tight, finding our way back to each other again and again. You are generous, caring, wildly talented, and so deeply thoughtful. You push me out of my own way, and I’ll always always be grateful you in my life.

Larraine, La La Bird, Sproutie. We met in Grade 7 and somehow, from that moment on, you’ve been stitched into the fabric of my life. We grew up side by side, ogling over boys, playing sports, and learning how to handle life as it got real. You’ve always been my pillar, strong, steady, and so grounded. When I need the truth, the kind that’s honest but loving, you’re the one I call. You have this rare way of being both no-BS and deeply compassionate, and you’ve carried me through more than I can count. You’re an incredible friend, mother, sister, and daughter, and I truly believe everyone needs a Larraine. I’m just lucky you’re mine.

Jess, Jessica, Payton, so many names for one beautiful soul, inside and out. When I say we’ve experienced life together, I mean we’ve truly lived it, late-night dancing, random adventures, big changes, and all the in-between moments that shape you. You’ve been there through the seasons of moving away, coming home, losing ourselves, and finding our way back again. You’re my rock in the quiet ways that matter most. I don’t think you even knew how much I needed you until we both ended up back on the island, and somehow we clicked right back into place like no time had passed. You hold a huge piece of my heart, and I honestly wouldn’t be standing in this moment without you.

Adam Bowman, my little big bro. We grew up really close, but we are pretty opposite in most ways. Adam loved karate, video games, German metal music, board games, Weird Al Yankovic, hiking, metal detecting, and I played sports and liked shooting kids in the face with nerf darts or paintballs. We stuck together in life though, renting houses together, camping together, and partying together. He's always been there for me, and he's always given me great advice. It's fun as hell to scare him, especially in the shower. I can still beat him up too, even though he has a 3rd degree black belt. One of my favorite memories with my bro is when I buried the ice at his bachelor party, and him hitting #7 on the death wheel "slurp it down".

Mr. Paul Bowman is my dear ol Dad. Growing up, we went camping lots, made me cry during math homework, tricked me into eating soap, broke a few wooden spoons (I deserved it), he introduced me to baseball, and was my baseball coach. As we got older, he has always been the first person I call when I'm sad, mad, happy or can't figure out something. He' never not been there. He (and mom) have been my biggest support system. We love to watch the Jays, grab a bite, or work on a project with him. He still doesn't let me use power tools though, but I think that's because I don't know the names of screw drivers. Some of my fondest memories are going to Seattle to watch the Jays, playing Ukrainian Horseshoes, and and playing poker with his poker buddies. He's now becoming billie's best buddy, she loves to pull his beard and sneak him smiles here and there.

Jermaine Pedro, but people call him "Jerm". I moved to Central Saanich after grade 5, and moved in across the street to what would be my longest standing friend. He taught me how to roller blade with one blade on, he taught me about Michael Jackson, tried to get me to like soccer, but I only like getting red cards. We burned wrestlers, fought in mud pits, shred his water bed, drank clear Pepsi moonshine, and biked all over town. Growing older, we had a roady to Merritt, and partied at Stockton. Now, we go camping every year and I get to hangout with my god daughters, Vienna and Avila. One of my favorite memories with Jerm is when we escaped getting our asses kicked when visiting his sister, Delia.

Steve Cowie, but we all know him as "Cowie". He and I have been friends since middle/High school, playing bump at Bayside, using me as a tennis partner, but I was shit at tennis, so he rifled balls at me all day at centennial park. As we grew up, we golfed, played baseball, soccer, squash, slo-pitch, poker nights, traveled to Central America. We now talk Blue Jays all the time. One of my favorite times with Cowie is when we demolished people at beer darts at Rafiki and did the 'can can' every time we hit a can!

Steve Laing, known as "Laing". We met in the summer before grade 6, playing baseball together. In the early years we had sleepovers filled with tinfoil wrapped gumballs, boxed chips, waffles with ice cream, super Nintendo, insane nerf wars, and sleeping on his trampoline. In the later years, we bought alcohol illegally in Bowser, camped all over, and traveled to Central America for 3 months. We got the chance to live together in Nanaimo for 2 years while we were in University. This was his like 3rd degree or something, so he helped me a ton. One of my favorite memories is our Kelowna trips while we blasted CCR!

Adam Hanson, but everyone calls him "Horse". We met thanks to my dear friend Tania. We had a rocky start when I accidentally called Tania a bad name when we first met. I also made fun of him to Tania when she asked for my opinion. So, I'm very lucky no one listened to me! I met a new lifelong friend. We get to do what we love together all year, play ball. We got a little gay on salt spring, I still hate the Yankees after taking him to New York, and I think my Longhorns average is probably higher then his. But he can definitely hit a baseball or golf ball way farther then me. I'm lucky to also be a sudo-Uncle to his amazing daughters, Amelia and Lucy. One of my favorite memories is the walk off chest bump from Kamloops. Hook'em!

Jonny and I have been friends since we met on the HMCS Vancouver. We did a lot of dumb things, but we survived the military shenanigan's and moved on to other things. We've played a ton of ball together, played dodgeball, we have our monthly dinners, and my favorite times are when we hit the dirt road to go hunting. But never forget the baileys, or he might wake up grumpy. Jonny and I also spend most of our work days gossiping on the BC Gov messaging system. Thanks tax payers! One of my favorite memories with Jonny is spending time after a Vernon Ball tournament at his Loon Lake cabins.

Introducing our master of ceremonies, Mr. Jeff Eden! The 14 car, the garden of Eden, the ginga ninja! Jeff has been a great friend for years, we met, shocker, playing ball together. Jeff is the funniest, most charismatic, and downright hilarious friends I have. He has a magical skill, that no matter if you're sad or mad, 5 minutes with him, and you're rolling on the floor laughing. I always laugh out loud when I'm with jeff and he's trying to watch a horror movie...what a giant pussy...He's the best.