Evan and I technically met more than once — Loyola New Orleans was a small world, and we had plenty of mutual friends (thanks, Kieran!). We “knew of” each other but didn’t actually click until a New Year’s Eve in New Orleans around 2014. I had just been kicked out of The Metropolitan (long story), ended up back at the hotel, and the only other person there was Evan. Somehow, we ended up with a friend’s lost ID and spent the night “looking” for him — which really just meant laughing, talking, and pretending to search while he was the one actually searching for us. After that night, life took us in different directions, and we lost touch. Fast forward a few years later to 2018: I had just moved to San Francisco when I got a mystery text — “It’s Evan!!” Cue momentary panic (which Evan?), followed by relief when she said “from Loyola!” We met for drinks to catch up, and it felt like no time had passed. Since then, there have been countless adventures, laughs, and the occasional fiasco — all under our unspoken motto: “I’m down if you are.”

I met Evan on the first day of 6th grade in Ms. Johnson’s homeroom. We saw something in each other, a spark of mischief and well-meaning judgy-ness, and immediately knew we would be best friends. Aside from the one time we had a fight for two days in high school, and I developed a lifelong appreciation for emo music, we have always supported each other – even when we lived far apart. From our Katrina exile when we both picked up accents, to our various adventures in NOLA, Paris, SF and Oakland, Chicago, Seattle, and C.d.MX there have been so many adventures together. I cannot wait for the adventures to come, and I am so glad my mother approved of Jon. You two make a beautiful couple!

Evan and I met at a mutual friend’s party and instantly clicked. We spent that night laughing together and bonding over both being in the city, which forged our friendship to this day. Since that party, we’ve shared countless memorable and milestone moments together. Up next, celebrating her and Jon!

Claire and Evan met on their very first day as interns at the World Wildlife Fund during college. They bonded while sitting through a very long, and very boring, onboarding, and soon began grabbing lunch together and exploring Washington, D.C. outside of work. Over the years, they reunited in New Orleans for Mardi Gras and Chicago. Eventually Claire moved to San Francisco to attend law school at UC Berkeley, bringing them back to the same city once again. Nearly 15 years later, they’re still close friends. Evan loves Claire and her cat, Allister, even if his enthusiastic cuddling once nearly suffocated her in her sleep.

Evan met Gabrielle at Loyola University, when Gabrielle was a freshman looking for new friendships. Luckily, she looked in all the right places...one such place? Somewhere very unlikely, dark, small, seemingly uninviting… Evan's car's trunk! One fateful day she crammed in the car to be carted to more new friends’ houses, and Gabrielle and Evan have been giggling about the joy of girlhood and college ever since. Gabrielle is grateful that Evan took the time and care to make her feel included and have a classic college freshman year. Friends for life included. She can't wait to gossip with Evan about each new phase of life-especially this one!

Karley and Evan met thanks to Heidi, Karley’s former boss and an excellent matchmaker. One night on a party trolley in Chicago, Evan was doing what she does best—making friends with everyone nearby, including Heidi. During their conversation, Heidi mentioned she knew someone Evan should meet. As it turns out, she had been telling Karley the same thing. A little skeptical but open to the idea, Karley and Evan agreed to meet up in San Francisco. Karley was expecting a guy… but instead met Evan. The rest is history. To this day we’re still not sure whether Heidi thought we’d click because of our personalities or our shared racial background—but whatever her reasoning, we’re grateful she made the introduction.

Evan loves to tell the story that I ghosted her after the first time we met and hung out with our mutual friend. Truth is… I saved her number under the simple name of “Evan” with no other descriptor. So when she texted me I thought it was some random guy, so I never texted back. Then when we saw each other again there had to be a conversation as to why IM the rude one. Which is not not wrong. Twas a silly mix up! Cut to many many years and tears together later. I’ll never make that mistake again.