Even though Caleb and I both are from Charleston AND are homeschooled, we never met before starting as freshman at Clemson in Fall 2022. We met during our first semester as part of the Clemson Navigators, and we have shared many sweet memories together including intramural frisbee championships, Clemson football games, and serving as student interns for the Clemson Navs. Caleb is always ready to engage in deep conversations, and it is his witty and intentional thoughts that challenge and encourage me through our friendship.

Jasmine was such a quick and close friend that I can’t even tell when we officially became friends! We both met through the Navigators Bible study at the start of college, and her curiosity and thoughtfulness stood out to me immediately. Jasmine and I have an extremely similar sense of humor, making our rally of stupid jokes back and forth deadly to productivity. Aside from jokes, Jasmine is a very caring person and is always looking for ways to serve others. We constantly challenge each other, sit with each other through tears and rejoice in each other’s successes.

Ben and I met the first week that we were in Clemson during freshman year, and I honestly did not know if we would be good friends at first. He is pretty goofy and blunt, so I was uncertain about whether we would connect well. But as we talked more and hung out, I got to see that he is thoughtful, incredibly kind, and very loyal. Ben has been a support and encouragement to me through my time at Clemson, and I cherish our friendship because of its combination of both integrity and joviality.

Emily and I met during our freshman year of high school at a church youth group event, where we found out we went to the same high school and had the same lunch hour! God really lined things up! Throughout high school, we developed a sweet friendship as we went to youth group together and took architecture and interior design courses. Emily has been a voice of reason when things are crazy and is someone I can obsess over crafts and designs with.

Alex… ah, Alex is a guy who always wears his beliefs on his sleeve. He is brutally honest yet ever ready to sacrifice his own needs to bless someone else. Alex and I met as part of the Clemson Navigators, and we have been roommates for the past year. He pursues relationships with a deep intentionality, and he is always willing to give up time to talk with those around him. If you want to hear him nerd out, just ask him about his bikes.

When I first met Kendall, I was actually incredibly intimidated by her, and rumor is she thought I was weird. But we got multiple meals together freshman year and got to know each other. We have been close friends (and roommates) ever since! Kendall is an outdoors person, always looking for the next time she can get to the mountains to hike or rock climb. She is a bundle of calm joy, and she has cheered me on through long, late nights and new experiences.

Though we are brothers and we are only 17 months apart in age, Josiah and I could not be more different in our personalities and interests. Our mom often jokes that if all her children were ranked in similarity, Josiah and I would be on opposite ends of the spectrum. But despite the differences that we have, Josiah and I are lifelong brothers. We spent a lot of time together during our school years, and it has been a new challenge to figure out how to remain connected while I have been away at Clemson. I am thankful for our relationship because Josiah is always ready to offer his opinion, and he has helped me learn to put myself in other people’s shoes and see things from their perspective.

Grace was my bible study leader for the first half of college, and she started discipling me three years ago. When I first met her, we were both a little awkward and wanted to be calm and collected, but as our friendship grew, it became clear that we are two goofballs. Let's just say there have been multiple instances when I was unexpectedly sprayed with whipped cream. But Grace is very disciplined and has taught me so much about living a life for God. She has loved me so well and encouraged me at every stage of life. And our (my) dancing hugs are among my favorites, and she can’t help but laugh.