Where to begin? Jack and I have been inseparable since we first met in the 6th grade at Walden. We first bonded over shared interests in sports and video games, however our relationship really began to flourish once the basketball season started. Our shared competitive nature and all out effort garnered a mutual respect from the very beginning. Our friendship is one of the main reasons I decided to stay at Walden for high school. One of my favorite memories from high school was spending basically the entire summer of 2017 at Jack’s house - he and I never ran out of adventures to have. At the end of that summer I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Jack missed as much school as I did because he was right there by my side in the hospital. Jack has been by my side for every single important moment of my life, and my wedding is no different. I have known who my best man would be for over a decade, and I am incredibly grateful for that. Although not by blood, he and I are brothers and we always will be. Our bond has endured almost 15 years. We have learned life lessons, together. Experienced heartbreak, together. Gone on amazing adventures, together. Experienced horrible tragedies, together. But the key is that it was all, together. At this point, we have lived in different cities for 6 years, yet every time we’re together it feels like nothing has changed. I am so incredibly honored to call Jack my best friend, and my best man.

Kylie and I first met on a recruiting trip to Alabama for rowing, where her luggage got lost—but we both committed to Alabama anyway. After requesting to live with non-rowers, we were paired as roommates. Once I realized Kylie didn’t hate me but was just not a morning person, the rest was history. We lived together all four years of college and shared so many adventures, from summers at her family’s lake house to little trips away from practice and school. What I’ve always admired about Kylie is how level-headed and supportive she is. If you know me, you know I can be a bit of a hothead, but Kylie was always the friend who could calm me down and talk things through. My college experience is filled with memories of Kylie—from early morning practices and football games to weekend regattas, nights out, and those extra-special nights in. Kylie has always been the kind of friend who makes you feel understood, no matter what. She listens without judgment, offers advice when needed, and is always ready to celebrate the big and small wins in life. She has a way of making everyone around her feel at ease and genuinely cared for. She was there for it all, always ready with her support, a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen, and a joke to make me laugh. Kylie is a true friend—someone I can always turn to and who I know will always be in my corner. I am so thrilled to have her as my Maid of Honor.

Josh and I met the beginning of freshman year at Alabama when he sat next to me at orientation. He told me later that year the only reason he sat next to me was because I was wearing a Donovan Mitchell jersey, which he figured was obscure enough that I must know basketball. We spent that entire day together, ditching the orientation activities to go play basketball at the rec center. It seemed like meeting one another was what each of us needed; I remember feeling very relieved to know I had met someone I would be best friends with. Josh and I ended up being roommates the next 3 years, which were some of the best of my life. Josh and I are similar in so many different ways it truly is uncanny, however, coming from different backgrounds we helped expose each other to new ideas. I have always appreciated Josh’s ability to approach any conversation logically, we had many great late night conversations as a result. Josh’s adventurous side has consistently gotten me out of my comfort zone. One of my favorite examples was when we got stranded in the woods on a trip to Tennessee. Josh and I walked for a few miles to find help and stumbled upon a pristine red Jeep with a tow winch. One door knock and a brief conversation later we were riding in the back with Pa and Brandon who subsequently rescued our truck from the ditch. Things just seem to work out when you’re around Josh, and our friendship has been no different. I am honored to have him beside me.

Sarah and I were both on the rowing team at Alabama, but we became really close during our sophomore year of college. She would often come over to our apartment, where we’d share perfectly undercooked brownies, watch silly shows, and laugh until our stomachs hurt. We lived together for the last two years of college, and those good times evolved into traditions like Survivor nights, monthly trips to Trader Joe’s, football tailgates, and, of course, even more laughter. Some of my favorite memories with Sarah were the moments right before bed. We’d wrap up our evenings watching TV and hanging out, say our goodnights, and then somehow end up sitting on the stairs of our house, chatting the night away. Conversations with Sarah never got old—we could always find something new to ramble on about and laugh over. What I’ve always loved about Sarah is her effortless ability to laugh and make others laugh along with her. She has this incredible way of finding joy in the little things and sharing that joy with everyone around her. Sarah is also someone I can always count on to lift me up with her wise words and warm presence. I couldn’t be more thrilled to have Sarah in my life and standing by my side on such an important day.

Kane and I met at Alabama freshman year in an engineering study group. Both he and I did not stick with the engineering path but we were both grateful for having gone through it as we gained a lifelong friendship. Kane is the life of any party, he truly has never met a stranger. We were roommates for 3 years and there was not a dull moment. I often reflect on how special it was to be able to go right across the hall and have Kane there. Some of the best times with Kane came during Covid as we constantly found ways to have fun around the house. Some of my favorite memories with Kane came on our trip to Europe. Hearing his southern drawl discuss the local cuisine was enough to make anyone’s day, however the funniest example came when we were eating pizza in Italy and he goes “I swear this isn’t better than Dominos…” Kane is one of the funniest, most authentic people I’ve ever met and I am so honored to have him by my side.

As my cousin, I’ve known Nicole my whole life. Some of my earliest and fondest memories are of being so excited to visit her house and spend time with her and her siblings. We would play teacher together for hours, a simple childhood game that became even more special when we both decided to make teaching our careers. Over the years, Nicole and I have grown even closer, and our relationship has only deepened as we’ve navigated adulthood. Some things, however, never change—like the fact that every time I come home, one of the things I look forward to most is spending time with her. Many of my favorite memories with Nicole can be summed up by a drive and a chat. Her trusty Toyota Tacoma has taken us on countless adventures—to Mr. Frostie’s for ice cream, poke dates, and Kate Sessions Park trips. Each of these outings were filled with endless hours of talking, laughing, and creating memories that I’ll cherish forever. Nicole has always been a source of joy, comfort, and laughter in my life. Her warmth, sense of humor, and unwavering support mean the world to me, and I couldn’t be happier to have her standing beside me on my wedding day.

Erik and I were matched up as random roommates freshman year at Alabama. We initially bonded over both being computer science majors (that quickly changed for me, but Erik ended up sticking it out). We also bonded over being from out of state (Illinois and Kentucky) and not knowing anyone at Alabama. Erik is the ultimate “yes-man” - despite his initially quiet demeanor, he is always down to go on new adventures and meet new people. I’ve always been grateful to Erik for this as it helped me try new things and meet new people with one of my best friends by my side. One of my favorite adventures with Erik was going skydiving in Las Vegas. Out of all of us he was certainly the least-thrilled to do it, however he stuck it out and we made an incredible memory. Erik and I were roommates for all 4 years of college, leading to more great stories than I could tell (and a few broken bones). We both now live in Dallas and have continued the adventures together. I am honored to have Erik by my side.

Another cousin of mine, Julia, and I have grown up together, and some of my favorite childhood memories were visiting her or having playdates at our grandmother’s house. From a young age, Julia and I discovered we shared something big in common: our competitiveness. Shocking, I know! But despite being two of the most competitive people I know, we never let it come between us. No matter who won, we were always able to set it aside and genuinely be happy for each other. Some of my favorite memories with Julia as adults involve our holiday tradition of playing Monopoly Deal whenever we both come home. What starts as an intense game filled with stolen properties, strategic backstabs, and eventual bankruptcies always ends in the biggest laughs and the best conversations. Julia has always been someone I can count on for love, support, and countless good times. I couldn’t be happier to have her standing beside me on my wedding day.

Travis and I met for the first time at a Juventus vs FC Barcelona match in Dallas. Travis had been one of Peyton’s fellow rowing coaches and one of her best friends so I knew I would like him, but I never would have predicted how instrumental he has become in our lives. Travis is so quick witted and knowledgeable about all things, every conversation with him is full of hilarious inside jokes and deep insights. Travis is a fantastic friend - he is always willing to go above and beyond to help those he cares about. One of my favorite memories with Travis was when we decided to do a blind light beer taste test. Despite Travis’s vow to never mix beers (aka only drinking Busch Light), he put that aside and we had a blast. Travis’s obscure knowledge-base comes in very handy on trivia every Monday night, which are some of my favorite times with him. I am honored to have Travis by my side.

Ari was my first friend in college. When we found out that another California girl was going to Alabama for rowing, we immediately got in touch. We spent the summer before college wondering about going to school in the South, speculating about our new teammates, and sharing what we were most looking forward to about college. Some of my favorite memories with Ari are how we could talk like we were speaking a language only we understood. Our jokes were funny to just us, and we could keep them going until everyone else was thoroughly annoyed. We’d spend hours sitting in each other’s rooms, talking about everything and nothing, and it never got old. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of watching Ari grow into the incredible person she is today, and I couldn’t be prouder of my friend. I also couldn’t be more honored to have her standing by my side on my wedding day.

Cristian and I met during a round of golf with a mutual friend shortly after I moved to Dallas. At the time, I didn’t have many friends in the city yet, so meeting Cristian was relieving. Much like Kane, Cristian is also the life of the party and has never met a stranger. He didn’t skip a beat in introducing me to all of his old high school and college buddies through rounds of golf and games of poker. Fittingly, my favorite memories with Cristian have come on the golf course. He and I are very similar skill levels (although he’s only beaten me once) so it always makes for great times. My favorite example was when he holed out for eagle from about 90 yards. After we had all calmed down, I remember him saying “I’m just glad my best bud Jonah was here to witness that” which made me realize how close we had become. I am honored to have Cristian by my side.

Shelby is the newest addition to my life, but that doesn’t make her any less special. We first “met” while she was interviewing for a teaching position at my school. After she got the job, I reached out to her, and we started chatting about her move to Dallas and finding a place to live. Our friendship really took off once she moved here and we began spending time together. Even though I see Shelby every day at school, I never get tired of talking to her or being around her. She’s so easy to be with and truly one of the kindest, most caring people I know. We share a similar sense of humor that often leaves us laughing for minutes on end. Shelby has brought so much joy and positivity into my life in such a short time. I know I’ve made a lifelong friend in Shelby, and I am so happy to have her standing by my side on my wedding day.