Cherie and I met in 2010 while we were both stationed at Travis AFB, where we worked together in the OR and quickly became close friends. After my deployment in early 2013, we took our friendship to the next level and became roommates. Unfortunately, our time living together was short-lived, as the Air Force reassigned Cherie to Florida later that year. Despite the distance, we stayed in touch and our friendship continued to grow. In 2018, I made the decision to move to Florida to pursue nursing school, and Cherie kindly welcomed my two dogs and me into her home. We became roommates again while my house was being built. Her support during that time was invaluable, especially as I navigated nursing school far from family. I loved my time in Florida—Cherie and I spent weekends together, took vacations, and created so many wonderful memories. One of the highlights was being honored to be a bridesmaid at her wedding in 2019. In the fall of 2020, I moved back to California, but our friendship remained as strong as ever. Despite the physical distance, we kept in touch and continued to support each other through life’s ups and downs. Cherie now lives in Colorado Springs, where I’ve had the chance to visit her, and she’s visited me in California as well. Every time we reconnect, it feels like no time has passed at all. I'm incredibly grateful for Cherie’s friendship; no matter the miles between us, she has always been there when I’ve needed her. I've also loved watching her daughter, Natalie, grow over the years—she’s become such a bright, joyful part of Cherie’s life. Cherie is truly a special person, and I feel so lucky to have her in mine. Our friendship has stood the test of time and distance, and I know that no matter where life takes us, she will always be a part of my journey.

Trisha and I first met in 2010 when we were both stationed at Travis AFB. We quickly became friends, hanging out every so often, enjoying each other’s company. In 2011, she moved to Alaska, and we lost touch for a while. But life has a funny way of reconnecting people, and in 2018, when I moved to Florida, I was surprised to find that Trisha was living there too! We picked up right where we left off, rekindling our friendship and even starting to vacation together. One of the most special moments I had with Trisha was witnessing her engagement. It was an honor to be one of the surprise photographers at her proposal! A year later, I was thrilled to be a bridesmaid at her wedding in 2019, celebrating such a joyful and life-changing moment with her. Since then, we've stayed in close touch, and when I moved back to California, our friendship only grew stronger. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate enough to visit Trisha in Houston, where she now lives, and it’s been amazing to watch her life evolve. I’ve seen her family grow, and I’m so grateful to be part of her journey, even from a distance. Her warmth, loyalty, and sense of humor have made her one of the most special friends I’ve had, and I feel lucky to have shared so many milestones with her. The times we’ve spent together, from those early days at Travis AFB to our recent travels, have created a bond that I know will last for years to come. I’m excited to continue to witness her life unfold and to see where our friendship takes us next.

Annie and I first crossed paths back in 2014 through a mutual friend and spent time together within a group of similar friends. But it wasn't until I moved back to California in 2020 that we truly began to spend quality time together and became close friends. She was there for me through some pretty rough dating experiences and always encouraged me to keep searching for the right person. Thanks to her support, I did find Andrew! She was one of the first people I told when Andrew asked me to be his girlfriend, and again when I knew he was the one and when we got engaged. Since then, Andrew and I have enjoyed countless memories with Annie and her husband, Tanner, going on double dates and seeking out new adventures. Annie is my sounding board, my go-to when I need someone to listen, and I cherish our friendship so much. I am beyond excited to see her family grow, and I can’t wait for all the joy that the new addition will bring to their lives!

Cassie and I met in 2018 when I moved to Florida and became next-door neighbors. Just before Hurricane Michael was set to hit, I was sent home early from work to prepare. Being from California, I had no idea how to handle a hurricane, so I knocked on her door and asked for help putting up my hurricane shutters. from that moment, we became fast friends. Cassie is the kind of friend who gives you hard truths and tough love, and I love her for it. I can tell her anything without fear of judgement. She's the kind of friend that would help me hide a body without asking questions - no exaggeration! Our friendship was effortless; I never had to text her to hang out- I'd just walk over and open the door, and she'd do the same. It's funny, but I think we were meant to be friends. Not only do we share the same first name, but we were born just a week apart. I truly believe everything happens for a reason, and I was meant to knock on her door that day.

(Cassandra's sister)With just 18 months between us, my sister and I have shared a lifetime of memories—some sweet, some chaotic, and plenty that fall somewhere in between. Growing up so close in age wasn’t always easy. We had our fair share of sibling battles, from stolen clothes to classic arguments over who got the front seat. But no matter what, we always found a way to survive each other. We may look a little different, but when we’re together, people are always surprised by how similar we really are. As we grew older, life took us down different paths, but one thing remained constant: our bond. Since she became the mom to my amazing nephews, we’ve only grown closer, and I’m beyond grateful for that. She has shown me how to handle the most stressful situations with grace. She is strong, kind, and an incredible person, and I am so lucky to have her by my side. I can’t imagine my wedding day without her. I’m counting down the days to celebrate together!

I first met Anna in 2020 when she was a cardiac surgical resident, and our friendship took off over sushi, boba dates, and our shared love for Post Malone (we saw him twice!). What started as a friendship between coworkers quickly evolved into something much more meaningful. When Anna moved to Texas in 2023 to pursue an Aortic fellowship, I thought it would be harder to stay connected, but it didn’t slow us down at all. I’ve made two trips to visit her, and we text, call, and catch up whenever she’s not saving lives. Through it all, we’ve stayed close, and I’m so grateful for that. I’ve had the privilege of watching Anna grow from a “baby” resident to the incredible attending she is today. She’s not only an amazing surgeon but also one of the kindest, most hardworking people I know. Her strength, compassion, and unwavering support have meant the world to me. I am truly fortunate to have her as a friend, and I am even luckier that she will be standing by my side on the most important day of my life. I can’t wait to celebrate this new chapter together with her and continue to make memories for years to come.

Megan and I met in 2018 while we were both in nursing school, and from the start, we quickly bonded over the shared struggle of surviving it. We spent countless hours studying together, quizzing each other before exams, and making sure to squeeze in breaks for coffee, sushi, and anything else that brought some light during those tough times. There’s no way I would have made it through nursing school without her by my side—I definitely credit her for helping me keep going when things got tough. Even after I moved away, we’ve stayed close, and I’ve loved watching her grow, both personally and professionally. It’s been so inspiring to see her thrive as a mom, balancing it all with such grace and strength. Our friendship has only deepened over the years, and I’m so grateful for the constant support, love, and laughter she’s brought into my life. I’m beyond excited that she’s going to be a part of my big day. It means the world to me to have her by my side, and I can't wait to celebrate this next chapter with her. I’m truly lucky to have her as a friend, and I know our bond will only continue to grow from here.

(Andrew's brother) My brother Jacob is just 14 months younger than me, and we've always been incredibly close, sharing so many life experiences together. We played on the same baseball team for years and had many mutual friends. I even shared a room with him until he graduated high school, and during the summers when he returned to Modesto for his internship at Gallo. I still remember countless nights we stayed up late, talking and catching up. Though we didn’t see each other as much when I went to Northridge for my master's, things changed when I started my PhD at UC Davis in 2017. At the time, Jacob was also living in Davis while working on his master's in mechanical engineering. It was wonderful being at the same university again, and it gave me the chance to grow closer to both Jacob and Julia. I had the privilege of being Jacob's best man at his wedding to Julia in 2019. After spending some time in Tennessee, they moved back to Davis in 2021. In the winter and spring of 2023, I had the opportunity to live with them, and it was a special experience. Jacob is an incredible brother, and I couldn’t be prouder of the life he and Julia have built together.

(Andrew's brother) My brother Christian is 9 years and 5 months younger than me, and he's always been there to share in many of the things I love. We’ve enjoyed timeless classics like Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and Call of Duty, as well as iconic anime such as Dragonball, Naruto, and One Piece. While it took him some time to get into golf, it’s now something else we can enjoy together. Christian is not only a fantastic brother but also a great friend, and I’m grateful to have someone to share so many common interests and experiences with. Even when I went off to grad school, I always made sure to come home on breaks, and spending time with my little brother is always a joy. During the COVID pandemic, I had the chance to live with him and our parents in Modesto while teaching at UC Davis over Zoom. Being with family during that time turned what could have been a tough experience into something I now look back on with fondness and nostalgia.

(Cassandra's brother) Although we’re five years apart, that gap has never stopped my brother and me from being incredibly close. From a young age, we shared a love for traveling, and it became one of the things that bonded us. We’ve taken countless trips together, with some of the most unforgettable ones being our visits to Disneyland and Disney World. Those trips created memories that will stay with me forever. One of my proudest moments came when he followed my lead and joined the United States Air Force. Watching him make that decision and pursue such an important path in life filled me with so much pride. I was excited when I had the chance to visit him in Sicily—it was an adventure I’ll never forget. That trip brought us even closer, and I’ll always treasure the memories we made together there. Over the years, I’ve come to deeply value his perspective and insight. His opinion means the world to me, and I’m so thankful for the way he’s always been there. Whether it’s texting, calling, or catching up when we can, I look forward to our conversations and the time we spend together. As I prepare for this next chapter of my life, I can’t imagine getting married without him there by my side. He’s not just my brother; he’s one of my best friends, and having his support on such an important day means everything to me. I’m beyond grateful to have him in my life, and I’m so happy he’ll be there with me as I say "I do."

(Cassandra's brother) There may be nine years between us, my youngest brother and I have always shared a strong bond. Our age difference hasn’t stopped us from being incredibly close. We’ve traveled together several times, and he’s truly one of my favorite travel buddies—even if he occasionally misses a flight along the way! The memories we’ve made on those trips are some of my favorites, and I’m so grateful to have shared those experiences with him. I’ve had the incredible pleasure of watching him grow up, and one of my proudest moments was seeing him walk across the stage to receive his bachelor’s degree. Now, watching him pursue his Ph.D. has been nothing short of inspiring. He’s always been so driven, and I admire his determination and passion for learning. As the baby of the family, it’s been amazing to see how he’s evolved into such a kind, intelligent, and hardworking man. I couldn’t be prouder of the person he’s become, and I’m so fortunate to have him in my life. I’m overjoyed that he’ll be standing with me on one of the most important days of my life. Having him by my side on my wedding day feels like it wouldn’t be complete without him there. I couldn’t imagine this day without him, and I’m so thankful to have him as not just my brother, but as one of my closest friends.

Howard and I met in high school, and our friendship is filled with unforgettable memories. I often think back to our lunchtime 2v2 football games, playing Halo at his parents' house, and hanging out at Walmart with him and Kevin. After high school, Howard went on to attend the Air Force Academy and has since served as a pilot for our country. Although we don’t get to see each other often, our friendship remains timeless. I always look forward to his visits to his family in Modesto. Our ski trips and pickleball games are some of the best times we’ve shared, and we bond over good beers and great conversations, making each reunion memorable. In 2021, I had the honor of being a groomsman at Howard and Laura’s wedding in Spokane, WA. Not long after, they moved to Hanover, Germany. This year, Casey and I had the chance to visit them in Germany and even attended the opening day of Oktoberfest in Munich! It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I’ll always treasure. Every time I get to hang out with Howard is special, and I look forward to many more great moments together in the future.

Justin and I met through Kevin in high school. I have great memories of high school hangouts. We have enjoyed countless hours of twilight golf at Creekside and many visits to Del Rio Country Club. The cabin trips to Sequoyah Country Club were peak lifetime experiences that I will treasure forever. Justin and I share a unique bond over our sense of humor, and the realism we bring to the golf course. In 2016, I had the pleasure of attending Justin and Michelle's wedding. My time visiting Modesto during school breaks has always been made much better by them. When I was living in Modesto throughout COVID, Justin’s garage gym workouts followed by trips to Panda Express became a classic evening tradition that I cherish. Justin's parents and family have always made me feel loved and welcome every time I see them.

Coincidentally, Kevin and I were on the same Crusaderball tee ball team when we were very young. But we truly became friends in our freshman year of high school at Modesto Christian. We grew up just a few blocks apart, and Kevin seemed to be the first of us to get his license. I have great memories of driving around Modesto in his Toyota Tacoma, attending high school football tailgates, hanging out at Walmart, and spending hours playing Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare and Rock Band in his parents' living room. I had the honor of being a groomsman at Kevin and Lauren’s wedding in 2013. They make an incredible couple, and it’s been a privilege to watch them build their family over the years. I always jump at the chance to hang out with them. Whether it’s playing Among Us, Mario Party, pool volleyball, golf, or pickleball, each moment is a treasured memory. And the food over the years has been nothing short of exceptional.