If you don't have that cousin that is your absolute ride-or-die, your first real best friend who you're tied to forever, then I'm sorry. But if you do have that, that's Marcella for me. The distance between her house in Pennsylvania and mine in Texas was nothing when we could email back and forth all day, planning when the perfect time to log on to Club Penguin was. Marcella is my "bestie cuzzie", who I've always been able to count on to call me on my bullsh*t, and who never fails to make me double over in laughter as we reminisce on things like the Pirates Cove at Waldameer or Splash Lagoon or having the most unhinged sleepovers with Erin and Maria when I'd come to visit. IYKYK.

Sterling has been my best friend since our freshman year of high school. Even though she transferred schools mid-way through high school, and I ended up moving to Florida for college, we remained best friends for the last 12 years. Sterling is someone that I know I can always count on to look out for me, who has known and loved me through multiple versions of myself, and who never fails to crack just the right stupid joke to make me die laughing. Sterling is truly one of the funniest people you will ever meet. We became friends bonding over feeling like we didn't belong in high school, and continued on as friends as we bonded over our shared love of being creative. Sterling is also an amazing photographer. Hire her.

Being that she's my older sister, Grace has known me longer than any of my other bridesmaids, and was the first person who I was ever a bridesmaid for! From doing the "Monster Spray Dance" when we were kids and I was scared at bedtime, to (lovingly) lecturing me about my boyfriends in college, Grace has always looked out for me (and turns out she was right that those boyfriends weren't "the one" haha). I'm very grateful to have my big sister continuing to watch out for me, and to stand with me on my wedding day!

I met Natalie in 2017 when my brother brought her to St. Augustine to hang when they were dating. We bonded pretty instantly, which was really exciting because she ended up becoming my sister! I was so honored to be one of Natalie's bridesmaids when she married Ian. Countless wine nights and New Girl marathons later, Natalie has easily become someone I know I can count on to listen whenever I need to get something off my chest. She is the ultimate hype woman, and I'm thrilled for her to bring that energy to the wedding! GAVE ME BRIDESMAID, GOT YOU BRIDESMAID (What's all that clanging?!)

Emmalee and I became best friends during our freshman year of high school. We both finally found someone else who was just as loud, chaotic, and high energy as ourselves! Even though Em ended up moving and transferring high schools, we kept in touch throughout the years through social media and text. We both finally ended up back in Austin and reconnected in person in 2021. Since then, Em has continued to be the same amazing, supportive, chaotic, loud, wonderful friend she has always been, offering nothing but the best advice while always lovingly calling me out on my bullsh*t. I'll also add that Gabe was considering asking Em to be a groomsman, but I got her first ;)

I first met Zara in 2020 when she was 5 years old at a pickup football game her big brother Gabe was playing in. Gabe and I were freshly dating, and he'd asked me to take pictures of him playing football, casually mentioning that his mom and little siblings would be there too (so I could meet them for the first time...no pressure). I let Zara take some pictures on my polaroid camera, and gave her and Zayne some snacks, and from then on we were besties. Zara is 8 now and such a cool kid. We love a lot of the same things! We both love dogs, anything with sparkles, and of course Taylor Swift. Some of our favorite things to do together include playing hide and seek, walking their dogs, singing along to Taylor Swift, and harassing her big brothers. She loves to show me her latest artwork and stories any time I come over (and they're pretty darn good, too). I have a few older sisters already, but I've never had a younger sister. I'm so excited that in September, I not only get a husband, but a little sister (and a little brother) as well!

Dylan and I met in the police academy back in June of 2023. He was instantly someone who I clicked with had a blast with. Shortly after meeting each other, he offered me a room in his home as he thought it would be beneficial to each of us to hold each other accountable and grow together during the academy. Since moving in with him, he’s been nothing but a leader, a role model, a brother. He’s shown me what’s it’s like to be a man, and more importantly how to father a daughter. He’s someone I look up to dearly and someone I can go into battle with any day of the week. We constantly feed off each other’s meathead energy and compete daily to better each other.

Austin and I met in the 6th grade, by me telling him that’d I’d kick him to the moon and back, him giving me a weird look and us going our separate ways. We didn’t talk for years or even really know each other, but as life went on we grew closer on Xbox through mutual friends. I payed him a visit in Florida at the time, post HS and we grew even closer. I think I somehow convinced him to move to Texas after he was curious about moving out of his parents house. Since he’s moved here, the fun, memories and good times we’ve had have been too many to count. Austin is someone I can call, make a random sound to, hang up the phone call and just laugh about it after. He’s someone that has my back, who loves me and who has supported me since we have gotten close and our relationship is only getting stronger. Aus if you see this, I’ll still kick you to the moon and back!

Kristian and I also met in the Police academy. Kristian and I spent most our time in the academy, talking about food, which is why we got along so well. We could be in the middle of class, defensive tactics, getting punished by the instructors or on the range, and food was always the topic. Kristian may be a smaller guy, however he’s got the heart of a lion. He is a father of 2, a husband, and a hard worker, which he showed in the academy. More than anything, he’s got a heart of gold, and he’s one of my brothers. Love you bubba!

Conor and I met in our first semester of college, where I was fresh out of Long Island and he had long hair. We knew of each other but didn’t really speak. A few years later we connected as he was in Austin Police Department’s academy, and I was interested. Fate has both of us ready to enter the following academy for reasons together. A week before the new academy started we both were removed from the process. We both applied with Leander and went through the police academy together. We suffered, trained and studied together, and relied on each other to survive. Conor and I now work at Leander Police Department and would take a bullet for each other. Conor has been an amazing friend; pushing me to grow; teaching me about guns and other things. I have had a blast with him so far, and I can’t wait to see what the futures holds for our brotherhood. Love ya Casey!

Ian is an awesome person, and I'm looking forward to calling him my brother. He's an incredibly smart man, who is always looking to improve. He's inspired me to get more into guns and jujitsu, things that will help me drastically in my career. I don't have many memories with Ian yet, but I am looking forward to spending some more time with him in the future.

I was gifted with my younger brother, Zayne in 2013 who I love to death. Zayne has extremely similar interests as I did when I was his age. As he grew up, I was able to play with him and educate him on all the stuff I was interested in when I was his age. We both loved dinosaurs, drawing, video games, nerf guns and legos. He’s always showing me something new he created or a drawing that he came up with. We started wrestling each other when he was young as well, with my hope to make him a tougher kid. I’ve tried my best to teach him all the mistakes I made when I was younger and he’s learned well from them. We play football, soccer, wrestle, video games, lazer tag and a bunch more things when we are together. He’s a really great kid and the sky is the limit for him. Zayney, I can’t wait to see the young man you are continuing to become, and watch you grow. Love ya kid!