Amanda and Kendra have been best friends since meeting after junior high -- ask Amanda about her penguin shirt ;) Through many years of softball and musical movies, their bond continued to grow.

Cousins by chance, friends by choice. Adam was even kind enough to do our engagement photos!

Matthew's cousin, Brad and Matthew remain great friends as well! He is also a smart cousin, as he is a Cardinals fan like Kendra :)

#wombmates ... enough said ;) Katie and Kendra didn't always see eye to eye, but were able to not murder each other as roommates once they "grew up." Their love of dogs, Mexican food, and sappy rom-coms made for many great nights in together. They were both sad to see Kendra move for school (and take her dog Garth away)!

Another smart cousin in the family - he is also a fellow St. Louis Cardinals fan! He and Kendra love to give Matthew some good-natured ribbing.

The little sister that everyone loved to torment in high school --- now a beautiful young woman.

Victoria and Kendra met at Monmouth College and solidified their friendship over the course of a couple of once-in-a-lifetime trips to the Great American West and the Galapagos Islands--- as well as many trips to the Bijou Pub :)

Andy has always been a great friend, and Andy's daughter has always loved Matthew as well.

One of Matthew's partners in crime since high school, and is a fellow Marine. Oorah! The many tales of their "adventures" slightly terrify Kendra when she thinks about their future children being anything like dad ;)

Stephanie started at Mercy a few months before Kendra did. They bonded over long weekend nights at work through their mutual love of reading and all tear-jerker movies.