Erika is my older sister, biggest supporter, and very first best friend. A lot of who I am as a person comes from following the footsteps of my big sister's adventurous nature and fearlessness. I truly have no idea where I would be or who I would be without her influence. She is so tough and so inspiring. I've always wanted to be just like her!! <3

Hannah and I met in the fall of 2015 at the University of Central Arkansas. We were sorority sisters, and by now we have been friends for nearly a decade! We have been by each other's sides through all of the highs and lows that come with being a twenty-something-year-old. I feel so blessed to be apart of her life- especially because she and her husband Justin have a brand new baby boy, Lochlan. <3

Meeting in the fall of 2015, Sarah and I both pledged Sigma Kappa at the University of Central Arkansas. Though Sarah moved to Dallas several years back, she and I have remained close and visit one another several times a year. Sarah is sassy, fashionable, and literally as tough as it gets. My favorite thing to do with Sarah is to get in a good workout and then go to an expensive dinner. I can always depend on her honesty.

Caroline and I met in 2012 as freshmen at Monticello High School. She and I pride ourselves in remaining best friends while living over a thousand miles away from each other. Unfortunately, Caroline and I are rarely able to see one another more than once a year, but we talk on the phone just about every week day-- sometimes for hours! I can always count on Caroline to listen without judgement.

Livia and I met during the summer of 2017 while working a seasonal job at the Colorado Mountain Ranch. Livia, me, and four other girls named ourselves the "girl gang", and we climbed six of Colorado's 14,000 ft mountains that summer. Since the summer of 2017, Liv and I have been able to meet up several times- usually to summit a difficult peak, or experience the beauty and solitude of the mountains.

Kate, another member of the girl gang, and I also met working at the Colorado Mountain Ranch. I was drawn to Kate because of her silliness, knowledge of the wilderness, and her enthusiasm to experience the world around her. The girl gang got back together this past July in Montana-- and it was a magical experience to say the least. Kate truly feels like sunshine <3

Marge daddy-- another girl I can't live without. Also a member of the girl gang that met at the Colorado Mountain Ranch, Marge is the type of woman you want with you in the woods (or at the mall-- her sense of style is impeccable). She has excellent instincts, gives incredible advice, and she is somehow tough and sensitive at the same time.

Final member of the girl gang, Raye Lynn, keeps me on my toes. In the most literal way possible, I fell in love with Raye Lynn the moment I met her! I thought she was SO COOL (still do). At the Colorado Mountain Ranch as seasonal workers, she and I were the only two true southerners being from Arkansas and Texas. Since that summer, Raye Lynn has built a life for herself in Montana where she graciously hosts us girls and takes us backpacking.

Kasey and I met December 2022 through a mutual friend, her boyfriend JP. Since then, she, JP, Will, and I have pretty much been inseparable. There have been countless nights spent collaborating dinners and then remaining at the table for hours playing farkle. She and I share a love of thrifting, hiking, and mostly talking. I am so very glad that she and I met.

Kaylie Clay is technically my first cousin but she feels much more like a younger sister. Since we were babies, we have always been told that our resemblance is striking. From beach trips to music festivals, Kaylie and I have made an effort to be apart of one another's lives despite always having lived over a thousand miles apart. Kaylie is my twin, my fashionista, my diva girl, & the little sister I never knew I needed <3

Jeremiah and I became friends in middle school and since then we have never stopped keeping in touch with one another. We were on the same sports teams and we were always cutting up; always laughing and having fun. Jeremiah and I share so many stories and special moments I could publish a 500 page book about it. He has never let me down, Jeremiah was the first friend of mine to be there for me when my dad passed away in 2014. Just as I was his best man in 2019, he will be mine in 2025.

Cj and I met one another in the late spring of 2020. We were both working the same summer job out of Arkansas and we became friends quickly and bonded throughout that summer. Cj and I have taught each other a great deal about life, working, mentality, and future plans. Since we met in 2020, I do not believe we have gone longer than 50 days without calling each other to catch up. He is one of my greatest friends in this world, I hold him in high regard!

We tragically lost Josiah Williamson on December 14th, 2024, just six months before the wedding. Josiah and William had been best friends for over a decade-- had shared childhoods together-- and had been roommates three separate times. He made a huge impact on our lives, and he is very dearly missed. Josiah will not be forgotten.

John Connor Robertson and I went to school together from kindergarten through senior year. We have been friends for many years and we share numerous friends in common. John and I grew up in a very similar way and we understand one another very easily. We have shared unforgettable moments together. Through duck hunts, dinners, road trips, and more. John has always been there for me and that is something I will never forget!

Jacob and I have always been in each other's lives. I cannot recall any school without Jacob Long there. We always had friends in common and we became friends ourselves in grade school. Jacob and I were both funny growing up, I think that is what drew us together. My most vivid memories of Jacob are ones we shared on the football field; He was not only a leader but an example of iron will and getting mentally focused for a game. Jacob is a great friend of mine.

Luke and I have been friends since we were six years of age. One of my first ever sleep-overs was at Luke’s parents house in the 2000’s. Luke and I have always shared a love for sports; we competed against each other on the baseball field, we were on the same basketball teams, same football teams, and we were on the golf team together for a short while too. Luke Vaden is one of the strongest men I know. He is a man of grit and compassion.

Jes and I met when we were 13 years old and in the 7th grade. Jes and I instantly became fast friends. We shared a bond over cars very early on even though we have interests in different styles of vehicles. Growing up, we were together constantly; I stayed the night over at Jes’s parent’s house on the regular. Through the time, Jes’s own parents became like parents to me as well. He has taught me a great deal; he has rock solid ethics, if he says he is going to do something, he does it. Jes has been such a loyal friend to me, I feel honored to know him!

Dylan and I have known each other since we were four years old. We were always paired closely together due to our last names; in sports, seating charts, our lockers, etc. Growing up together, Dylan and I always shared similar interests and we were both headstrong about our opinions. On December 31st, 2019, Dylan offered me a job that would end up changing my life for the better. Since 2019, Dylan and I have grown closer and we talk frequently. He is a great friend to me and I hold him in great respect.

Matthew and I met in May of 2021 in Laurel, Maryland, while working the same summer job. While we did not become close over that summer of 21, we bonded through the winter and duck season 2021-2022. Since then, Matthew and I talk frequently and we roomed together during the summer of 22. Matthew is such a genuine person, we both have taught each other many things about life and work ethic.

Jp is someone who has always been in my life. Growing up, my Dad would tell me stories about Jp’s dad and him throughout the years. At the same time, Jp’s dad was telling him those same stories. From one of my earliest memories, Jp and I built a pitcher’s mound at the beach in Florida. We connected over old music, the St. Louis Cardinals, and those stories from our dads. I will always have Jp’s back.

Grant and I met each other in the beginning of March of 2022. I did not know it at the time but Grant and I would end up rooming together that summer. We bonded over philosophy, books, movies, travel, culture, emotional intelligence, and more. We have a great deal in common and we are almost never serious with one another. In all seriousness, Grant is a renaissance man and I have a considerable amount of respect for him.

JP and I met when we were in 8th grade at Monticello Middle School. Since then, so much has changed! One thing that hasn't changed; however, is that JP is a goof ball and a nicknamer at his core. He is actually the person who gave me the nickname "Jstratt", which subsequently became apart of my identity. JP and I reconnected after both having moved to Little Rock after college- he has been my best friend since then. I was thrilled to introduce JP and Will-- who now are incredibly close. He introduced me to his girlfriend Kasey, who is now, two years later, one of my very best friends and a bridesmaid. I feel so lucky that William and I have them to play board games with and collaborate on home-cooked dinners.