Sam and I first met over 20 years ago when our dad's brought us to 'Bring Your Kid to Work Day" at the NYPD. We ended up playing softball together, traveling upstate, and creating and maintaining a lifelong friendship while thousands of miles apart.

Allie and I met while in college at Tennessee Tech. We weren't the biggest fans of each other until a mutual friend (Ben Layne) setup Allie, Mallory, and myself on a blind date. The three of us have been best friends ever since!

I also met Mallory while in school at Tennessee Tech, we were initially in rivalry sororities but studying the same major. We crossed paths quite a bit but it wasn't until we went on the blind date did we really create that lasting sisterhood bond!

Kanami is Kodai's sister and we first met when she came to San Diego to visit while we were on a port call. Neither of knew at that point that we'd be sisters one day!

Daycee Duncan I met Daycee in drumline at Midwestern State University, and we instantly hit it off. Me, him, and Garrison hung out daily during my year there, playing video games, getting food, and playing percussion together, forming a bond we still have today.

Kaito and I are 3 years apart in age, and grew up together. We were just far enough apart to be in different schools and hockey leagues growing up, and had different friends. But after high school, Kaito lived with me in Hawaii for a year, and since then we’ve been as close as brothers who live thousands of miles apart can be.

Garrison was in the drumline trio at MSU with Daycee and myself, before joining the Army. Afterward, he was stationed on the island at the same time as me in Hawaii, and we spent lots of time together when I wasn’t on deployments. Although we haven’t been able to see eachother much since then, the unique friendship we created is strong enough to survive across the country.

Erik is Deanna’s older brother, and we first met when he came to visit her in Hawaii. We got along right away and shared similar interests and our sense of humor. As Deanna's only sibling, she has always looked up to him and followed in his footsteps.

Danlee is Daycee's (Kodai's best man) younger brother, and the 3 of them have been close ever since Kodai and Daycee met. No matter what time it is or how far apart they are, Kodai and Danlee are always there for each other, and just a phone call away.

Ben and Deanna became good friends during their first semester at Tennessee Tech. Ben was also the reason that Deanna met and became best friends with Mallory and Allie (bridesmaids). The amount of memories and laughs these two have shared is insurmountable.

Deanna met Justin when she and Allie became friends. Justin was Allie's boyfriend (now married) and instantly became like a big brother to Deanna. He loved to terrify her by fireman carrying her, or hiding and scaring her while in a cave. Like a big brother, he also is very protective and always keeps Deanna out of trouble (especially in college).

Melvin is Kodai's older half brother that was recently reunited with his family. Although Kodai was already moved away from home when he first met Melvin and his family, they've only grown closer as Melvin, his wife Amy, and their two sons Aiden and Orion transition into a new chapter of their lives with more family around.

Sammy and I go back to PRE-SCHOOL, about 24 years ago. We went all the way through high school together but grew apart during the late college years. We reconnected while I was on a port call in San Diego, which is where she was living at the time. It was an immediate reconnection and as if there was no lost time!

Taylor and I met while I was in my graduate school program at University of Kentucky. We were working at the same restaurant together. After boot camp, we took a cross-country roadtrip together from Atlanta to San Fransico. The trip was one of a lifetime, making so many memories and really growing in our friendship.

Kodai and Kaitlyn have been friends for years and introduced me to Kaitlyn when I first traveled to Texas. We immediately hit it off! She has and continues to be the behind the scenes influence to Kodai. She helped Kodai pick out my engagement ring and kept the proposal locked in vault from me! Kaitlyn and I become closer every day and her friendship continues to prove to be invaluble.