Sarah's example and fearless love for God has shone through since the first day I met her in college in 2005. We were put in the same room at Oakland University in Michigan where we both played softball. Our lives were way different then, but since, we have grown to be best friends and sisters - and her family has become my family. She is the link between me and Oregon, my relationship with Christ, her family and yes - even Joel! I am forever blessed and changed by her friendship and am so honored that she is my Matron of Honor.

Micah and I have so much fun together! Our friendship started through a love for Chipotle and chips (so basically food). And though this love still remains, it has grown into a deeper sister hood through family vacations, winning at Dutch Blitz (most games in general), snowboarding/skiing, getting to be auntie to her two kids, and sharing worlds! Micah is genuinely thoughtful, creative, an amazing hostess to both Joel and I, and has been there for me through some hard moments in life. I am so honored to have her as my bridesmaid and in my life!

Rachel is one of the most persistent and faithful people I know! Her diligence and "older-sister" like example to me has been so special. She has been my inspiration for running and staying healthy, but also cooking, home-making and baking treats... a well-balanced individual, I'd say. We've grown closer living in the same town the past few years, and I will miss her. It's an honor to have her as my bridesmaid and for being in my life!

I met Christine in the sixth grade and our friendship is so special! She is such a gem and a genuine, true and authentic friend. We have traveled together to Mexico, Peru (where we climbed Machu Picchu), and more recently she visited Joel and I in Seattle! I am so thankful she is involved in my life and that I get to hear her beautiful a cappella singing on YouTube. Christine is also a genius and a bilingual instructional coach for a charter school in California. It means so much that she is my bridesmaid and in my life!

I have known Meghan since age 12 and it is so special to me that she is my bridesmaid! Our friendship sparked in our teen years as her Dad (and our coach) drove us around the country playing traveling softball together. We have so many special memories - all of them include laughing - Disneyland, watching and falling asleep to movies together, eating Mexican food, random adventures, building fires, dancing, and more recently - our bond in Faith. Meghan is a dear friend to me, I value our long distance friendship and I am so thankful she is standing by my side!

Growing up, I always wanted to be like Paul. He was the smartest, the funniest, and the most over-achieving. I would often try to deliver his jokes to my friends, even though I didn't even understand most of the jokes myself! Paul has always had my back, and that hasn't changed as we've grown up. He graciously invited me to move in with him after I returned from the east coast, and we've been roommates ever since. I was lucky enough to sit in the "front row" as he campaigned like crazy last year and was elected state representative. I'm so proud of him and so lucky to have an older brother like Paul.

Peter (often referred to as "@Peeitauer" — pronounced "Pee-Tar") is my other, very lovable, one-of-a-kind brother. Some people might call him stubborn, but I believe he just knows what he likes, what he doesn't like, and he's not quick to budge on either! Peter and I have had some amazing times together — hundreds of rounds of golf (I'm pretty sure I've beaten him more than half the time), sporting events, trips to Vegas, Florida, and Phoenix (an unforgettable weekend which, sadly, ended in a Russell Wilson interception from the one yard line). We have so many more good times ahead. I'm proud to have Peter as a brother and a friend.

When I was in middle school (7th grade, I think), Derek, then a junior in high school, would often come down to our hallway and collect money for various sports betting pools, like March Madness. It was a clever ploy — anytime me or one of my middle school friends would win the pool, Derek would claim his money was confiscated by the principal! Little did I know, he and I would grow up to become the best of friends. He took me under his wing my freshman year at Western Washington University and has been looking out for me since. We've been to at least 40 Seahawks games the past 10 years (including the SAD! 2014 Super Bowl), countless Mariners games, and so many other good times. Pretty much everything Derek likes, I like — it's great! Even though I can't seem to beat him in fantasy sports pools, I'm so lucky to have Derek in my life.

I met Johnny during our sophomore year at Seattle Christian. He had just transferred to SCS (mostly just to play basketball 😝) and was instantly the most popular kid in our class. I honestly thought he was "out of my league" at first, but we eventually bonded through golf and our love for Seattle sports, especially the Sonics (#BBOS). After college, I lived with Johnny for a year and a half before moving to Washington, D.C. Unquestionably, the best memory I have with him is watching from MetLife Stadium as the Seahawks destroyed the Broncos for the team's first Super Bowl victory on February 2, 2014. Together, we started a great tradition — a summer weekend golf trip to the Wildhorse Resort in Pendleton, Oregon. This summer will be year number nine. Johnny and his fiancé Kelly are beating Caitlin and me to the punch — getting married two weeks before us. Happy for them and honored to have John be a part of our special day.

I be-friended Ross in 4th grade at Seattle Christian, at first, because I thought he was going to play professional baseball. He came up a bit short, but we became good friends anyway. People get annoyed when Ross and I are hanging out in social settings — all we try to do is weave in any one of our inside jokes (many of which date back 15-20 years). Though Ross and I have mostly lived in different states since high school, we've always kept in touch. I'm glad he's finally back in Seattle and lucky to have him be a part of our wedding.

Eric, or "Bubs," was always the coolest of my brother Peter's friends. Growing up, I loved getting the opportunity to hang out with him! After high school, I spent many summer days and nights hanging out with Bubs at his condo in Kent. We struck up quite a bond over golf, Seattle sports (his Twitter bio simply reads, "Bring the Sonics back"), and poker superstar Phil Hellmuth. Bubs is all grown up now with an amazing wife, Carla, and their two kids, C.J. and Cobie. He's a strong man of God, and I'm proud to call him my friend.