Stephanie and Margie met in Singles ministry at church. Margie, the moment she met Steph thought, "this girl is so cool, I have to be friends with her." And so it was, the start of a beautiful friendship. Stephanie (also affectionately known as Bus or Busse) and Margie love spending time together. After several months of friendship, Busse moved in with Margie. Many have joked that Connor is Margie's second spouse because "You are already married to Stephanie." :) Always a favorite, Steph and Margie occasionally declare "Bus and Gun Day" which is a bestie day including errands and adventures. Margie loves everything about Bus, but if she had to choose a few things, it would be her amazing sense of humor, her excellent listening skills, her ability to kick Margie into action, her carefree nature, and her ability to introduce Margie to new foods.

Erin and Margie met in Birmingham on Bumble BFF! On their first friendship date, Margie knew she had found someone special who shared her love of animals and family. After being friends for several months, Erin moved in with Margie. These were happy golden days of fostering animals, game nights, lake days, and coffee runs. Erin has since moved to Florida, but Margie and Erin stay in touch with visits, phone calls, and texts. Margie has loved Erin's advice and encouragement through the wedding planning process as Erin is also engaged. Margie's favorite things about Erin are her authenticity, her love for animals, her "can do" attitude, her sense of humor, and her warm and kind heart.

Lauren and Margie met in Birmingham at church in the singles ministry. They bonded of their love of country music, live events, Jesus, and taco nights. In February of 2023, Lauren moved in with Margie. From rodeos to rafting to concerts (oh so many concerts) to soccer games to game nights... Margie and Lauren are always on the go together. And when they're not, you'll find them on the couch watching The Office or Seinfield with a foster kitten or a Rover dog nearby. Margie's favorite things about Lauren are her "let's go" attitude, her love for country music, her trustworthiness, her loyalty, and her ability to make almost any situation fun.

Anna and Margie met when Margie was 14 and attended Adventures in Music Camp at Samford. Margie likes to describe Anna one of the quietest people in the room, but also usually the wisest. Never quick to speak or make a choice, Anna is methodical and an amazing problem solver. She is often the calm, cool, and collected one, and is sure to be so on wedding day. Though Anna now lives in New York, Margie and Anna's friendship has stood the test of time to last 15 years, and many more to come. Margie's favorite things about Anna are her quiet but gentle nature, her incredible listening skills, her decisiveness even under pressure, her ability to tackle any challenge, and her competitive spirit.

Ashlyn and Margie met on Ashlyn's wedding day shortly after Connor and Margie started dating. Like she was then, Ashlyn always appears polished and classy. Margie has so enjoyed getting to know Ashlyn over these last several months and considers it a privilege to truly call her a friend and, soon, a sister. Margie's favorite things about Ashlyn are her quiet and caring nature, her positivity, her excellent planning skills, her ability to always give the perfect gift, and her encouragement and advice on all things wedding planning.

Laurie and Margie grew up in the same rural area and grew up around each other. However, it was not until they both moved to Birmingham and reconnected that their friendship blossomed. Their shared experience of small town to bigger city gives them a unique bond. From church shopping to beach trips to plays to taco nights, Laurie's always getting roped into Margie's adventures. Margie's favorite things about Laurie are her excellent listening skills, her dancing eyes when she laughs, her love of small town life and southern culture, and her always encouraging words.

Olivianna (affectionately known as Olive) and Margie met when Olive came to interview for a position at Fox 6 News. After an introduction and some general questions, Olivianna asked "So, do you have a good church? I need a good faith community if I move here." Margie responded "Girl, we are going to be friends!" And so it was. Olivianna did take the job and as Margie and Olive worked together, their friendship deepened. Olive also photographed and helped execute the proposal. Margie's favorite things about Olivianna are her playful spirit, her deep love for Jesus and God's word, her ability to be vulnerable even in difficult situations, and her passion for people and hospitality.

Jeri Beth and Margie met as tiny tots due to being first cousins. Growing up, Jeri Beth and Margie loved to play dress up, cops and robbers, board games, or go for bike rides during long lazy summers in Camden at Margie's house. Jeri Beth has always been the thoughtful peacemaker of the cousin tribe. Jeri Beth also went wedding dress shopping with Margie and her patience is appreciated (LOL). Margie's favorite things about Jeri Beth are her analytic and problem -solving mind, her fantastic listening skills, all the childhood and now adulthood memories they share, and her deep love for the Lord.

Mary Pate and Margie met shortly after Mary Pate's birth. Being first cousins, they grew up around each other, especially in summertime when Mary Pate would come to Camden. The youngest in those days, Mary Pate was last but not least. Her fearless and determined spirit led she and Margie into a few calamities, but none they weren't hearty enough to get out of. :) Margie has especially enjoyed sharing this season of life with Mary Pate as both are a bride to be. Margie's favorite things about Mary Pate are her quick wit, good-natured teasing, fearless zest for life, incredible baking skills, and her passion for everything she does.

Heather and Margie met at Freshmen orientation in college. They sat together and, unbeknownst to the other, thought, "I don't think I will be friends with this girl." However, as the semester went on and they became study buddies, Margie realized that Heather was indeed just who she should be friends with. Heather excelled in all of her classes, was always down for an adventure, was superb at time management, and also had a natural gift for tutoring. Heather and Margie became inseparable in college and their friendship continues to be a blessing over a decade later. Margie's favorite things about Heather are her love for country living, her ability to laugh at herself and lighten any situation, and her supportive and encouraging nature.

Debby, also affectionately known as "Debry", and Margie met in the singles ministry at church. Margie was drawn to Debby immediately as she is an excellent listener and they share the same obsession of dogs. Despite being in medical school, Debby makes time to support her friends always. Debby attended many a dress appointment and has been a lifeline through the wedding planning process. She brings a northern flavor to Margie's southern life and the two are a perfect blend. Margie's favorite things about Deb are her passion for healthcare, her nourishing laughter, her love of the Lord and His word, her need for all things sparkly, and her ability to put others at ease.

My father is many things to me: Dad, Encourager, Disciplinarian, Wise One, and Jokester, just to name a few. I am very lucky that Best Friend can also go on that list. The truth is, I never had much of a choice. My father decided for me well before I knew what was happening and then proceeded to bring me along to any hunting/fishing/game or work adventure he could think of for the rest of my life. I have been standing beside my dad for many of the best days of my life; there is no way I wouldn't have him standing beside me on my wedding day.

Anyone who knows Zach knows that a bored Zach is a dangerous Zach, but it can also be when he is at his best. All my favorite Zach memories are times when he decided to take something boring and turn it into an adventure. From a charter bus going to a church ski trip in middle school, to a Friday night in Auburn during college, to a slow weekend in Birmingham, Zach will find a way to inject energy and fun into any situation. I have known Zach since 8th grade and lived with him for about seven years out of a decade. My life is immeasurably more fun because of it.

Wu and I met in college and became fast friends. After a semester of board games and evenings eating pie at the Bean, Wu started coming to my family's house around the holidays. It did not take long for Wu to move from friend to family. It has been such a blessing to watch Wu grow from someone new to the states and wanting to practice his English to a Phd grad!

One of the best things about old friends is seeing all the ways someone changes over the years, as well as seeing all the ways they stay the same. Will and I are not the same people we were in elementary, middle, or high school. We aren't even the same people we were in college, but no matter what life throws at us, the friendship never changes. Will has never met someone he can't make a friend and never been in a situation he cant turn into a party. I am so lucky to have him as my Groomsman.

Hudson and I didn't meet until a little later in college, but it was truly friendship at first laugh. When Hudson and I both think something is funny, no one is going to stop us from wearing that joke out. Getting to be with Hudson while he became a husband and then a father has been a joy. The Whites are family. I am blessed to have Hudson as a groomsman.

Wilson and I met in college during a spring break mission trip. I remember thinking “Wilson is a fun guy, I would like to hang out with him more…." Just a few weeks later, he said he had to go home before the end of the semester to work on his family fish farm! The start of the next fall Wilson and I became fast friends, doing bible studies together or playing board games. Wilson is an engineer at heart. He will imagine how things work or any fun hypothetical you can think of.

Andrew and I met in college but did not become close until he moved in with me after college. His two and a half years living with Zach and I were some of the best times I have ever had. Andrew is always curious, always learning. There is nothing as fun as talking to Andrew about whatever new topic he has decided to dig into. Andrew inspires me to always be learning and to find joy in it along the way.

I actually met Richmond before Margie. While I was at Auburn, Richmond was a couple years ahead of me. We both attended First Baptist Opelika. I remember Richmond always shaking your hand, knowing your name, and making everyone around him feel heard and appreciated. At the time I thought, “It would be fun to be friends with that guy”, but Richmond already had more social obligations than I could count, and the opportunity passed. Little did I know that I would fall in love with Richmond’s sister and Richmond would be back in my life. I look forward to getting to grow with Richmond as friend and family. I am blessed to have Richmond standing by me as a groomsman.

Stephen and my lives ran in parallel, but never crossed until college. I still laugh at the number times we must have been at Momma G’s on Fridays without actually talking to each other. We finally met in college and it became clear that Stephen is the smartest and funniest person in most rooms. After college, Stephen and I grew closer when he got a job working for BioHorizons, where I work. Work is immeasurably better knowing that Stephen is there to share a laugh, talk about music, or talk through a hard situation.

Ginny and Margie met shortly after Ginny's arrival on earth. Margie is Ginny's aunt by relation, playmate by choice. There's no one else Margie would chose to scatter flowers for her special day. Margie's favorite things to do with Ginny are play house, build towers, or take pictures. Ginny is very excited about which dress she will wear for the wedding, and Margie is pretty excited about that too!

I have known Joe since 4th grade. His family moved the same summer my family did so we got to be the new kids at the same time. By the time we got to middle school, we also shared a bus route. There is an almost unlimited amount of stories I could say about Joe, but probably the most important is that I got to see God grab a hold of Joe’s life and it was never the same. Joe cannot help but share what Jesus has done and is doing in his life. When Margie and I talked about what we wanted out of our wedding ceremony, one of the most important things was making sure the gospel was shared. I can think of no one who is better suited for that than Joe!