Jacki and Laura were brought together by their alma mater, Florida State University. From nights spent cramming for exams and planning their futures to the most lavish girl's trips and living out their wildest dreams, Jacki has always been an essential part of Laura's support system, right behind her to encourage her to push forward and claim the life they dreamed up on college apartment couches together. There is nowhere better for her to stand than right behind Laura as she does just that!

Hannah and Laura's friendship dates back to senior year of high school. Over the last 10 years, Hannah and Laura have learned how to navigate motherhood/Godmotherhood together, embracing all of the victories and defeats the journey has brought alongside each other. Beach days, music video recreations, and Italian Ice dates with the kids have become their favorite things to look forward to. Hannah, Laura, and the Ely kids have been inseparable from the moment they connected and the Ely family remains a very special family in Laura's life.

Katie and Laura are childhood friends who were brought together by middle school choir. Still bound by their love of music and travel, Katie and Laura make it a priority to share these things several times a year. From Denver to Charleston to Charlotte to Miami, Katie is along for whatever wild ride Laura takes her on! Two fiercely supportive individuals, the pair have remained pillars of empowerment in each other's lives for well over the last decade, always the first to welcome the other with the celebration or validation needed. Laura can always count on Katie to celebrate each milestone and discovery, no matter how miniscule.

Best friends for nearly 20 years, Tara and Laura first connected back in the 3rd grade as classmates. Through (quite literally) every phase of life, Tara has been a part of Laura's celebrations, grievances, and everything in between. Laura often jokes that she's lived 1,000 lifetimes in her 26 years, and Tara has been a part of just about all of them. From childhood sleepovers spent creating dance routines for their parents to adult sleepovers spent doing the same things, talent show co-performers and American Idol super-fans to college graduations and wedding days, Tara remains an irreplaceable fixture in Laura's life.

Liv and Laura first connected back in high school through mutual friends. From day one and over the last 10 years, Liv has been Laura's RIDE OR DIE. No matter what obstacle Laura may have been confronted with, Liv was climbing ahead of her with a hand outstretched so she was never left behind. The life of the party, Liv adds an extraordinary aura to even the most mundane life has to offer. From friend group theme songs to vlogging their every adventure, Liv is the glue that holds her people together. No matter the time of day, Liv is always a phone call and a flight away from catching Laura's back in real time. She is one of a kind!

Teenage besties, Emily and Laura connected in high school through mutual friends and family. Fellow fashionista's and car karaoke superstars, the pair have always found excitement in everything. Emily and Laura have spent the last decade encouraging each other to push their limits and become their best selves physically, academically, and emotionally, and having her next to Laura to celebrate her marriage is the pinnacle of all of their hard work. Whenever Laura needs some positivity, Emily is always there with a new song, affirmation, or workout to try. Her free spirit keeps Laura grounded!

Two student athletes, Karrington and Laura grew close in high school connecting through mutual friends and their shared sport of swimming. The duo was quickly drawn to one another and spent much of their time dancing, goofing around, and being girls together! Over the last 10 years Karrington has remained a beacon of joy in Laura's life, frequently sharing her incredible humor and unwavering encouragement no matter the distance. Karrington and Laura have remained steadfast supports in each other's journeys through academia, the workforce, and LIFE. Laura can't imagine her team without Karrington!

Tatyana and Laura gravitated towards each other as part of one of their high school choir ensembles. Bonding over their love of music and their hatred of rehearsals, the pair clicked almost immediately and remained attached at the hip. Never afraid to tell it EXACTLY how it is, Tat's authenticity continuously encourages Laura to embrace vulnerability and stay true to herself through the process. Tat's wisdom through the years has remained a guiding force for Laura, keeping her on the path she was destined to travel while providing all the love necessary to get her there. No matter the distance, Tat will always show up at 110%!

Charlie and Rydge first met on a fateful night at Florida State University when they bonded over their shared love of the words “all you can drink.” Charlie and Rydge quickly became inseparable and were roommates for two years at FSU before Rydge left Charlie for Colorado to start his life with Laura. While Charlie and Laura are besties now, there’s a non-zero chance he shows up in his own wedding dress on October 5 th and steals the show…

Kyle and Rydge also met at Florida State University and quickly became friends as they pledged the Chi Phi fraternity together in the fall of 2016. Similar to Laura and Jacki, Rydge and Kyle also spent many nights cramming for their exams and planning their futures with lavish girls’ trips and living out their wildest dreams (meeting up for a football game once a year and being able to afford comfort plus seats on the flight). Kyle always brings positive energy and a good vibe to any room he walks into, and Rydge and Laura couldn’t throw this wedding without him.

Rydge and Connor also met at Florida State University (starting to sense a theme here?) when Connor joined the Chi Phi fraternity in 2017. Connor and Rydge bonded through their shared misery and trauma from rooting for underachieving sports teams which, unfortunately, dictates their mood on a weekly basis. Connor also moved to Denver following his graduation from Florida State University and has been a great friend to enjoy everything that Colorado has to offer with.

Would you believe that Rydge and JP also met at Florida State University? JP was one of the first people Rydge met at Florida State University and they’ve remained friends as they both moved to Denver following graduation. JP is always the first one to send a text in the group chat to get the boys out of the house and enjoy all the fun Colorado has to offer. There’s never a dull moment with JP around, and the first person to decipher JP’s tattoo gets a free shot on the groom!

Bryan and Rydge met at, you guessed it, the University of Colorado Law School! From the first time Rydge and Bryan met at a law school welcome event, Rydge could tell that Bryan had also gone to Florida State University based on his south Florida outfit and haircut (you’ll know him when you see him). Though they didn’t know each other at FSU due to their significant age gap, Rydge has been very grateful for Bryan’s wisdom and outlook on life as they navigate their legal careers together.

Nick and Rydge also met at the University of Colorado Law School and couldn’t help but become friends as their intractable connection from attending Florida State University for undergrad was too evident to ignore. From the first time they locked eyes at the world-famous Dark Horse, they both knew “that’s a guy I can watch sports with for 12 straight hours.” Nick and Rydge enjoy evening walks down the Cherry Creek path, stopping to enjoy rich cultural experiences at Rheinhaus and Celtic on Market.

Lawson and Rydge have known each other since they were eleven years old, growing up playing AAU basketball together in Casper, Wyoming. Though they both moved away during their high school years, Lawson was one of the first people Rydge connected with when he moved to Colorado in 2020, and they’ve continued to be friends ever since. Lawson and Rydge have been through a lot together, including both becoming engaged this past year; so, be sure to congratulate Lawson and his fiancé Anna on their engagement when you see them!

Not one to ruin the theme, Alex and Rydge also attended Florida State University together. But, they first met when Laura brought Rydge home to South Carolina to meet her family for the first time in winter of 2016. From the first time they met, Rydge and Alex have bonded through making jokes at Laura’s expense and the memorable dinners Rydge has become infamous for on family vacations. As one of three people to have lived with Laura for 17 years, Rydge thanks him for his service and looks forward to joining the club.