Mark - one of the "Bethel guys" - and Jason met freshman year living on the same floor in the dorm and started a friendship through going to the lake, nerf wars, and many meals in the dining center. Mark was a great roommate sophomore year and is competitive, enjoys an adventure and is a very loyal friend. He is a man of God with common sense and has a lot of wisdom. Jason most appreciates Mark always making himself available to listen and spend time together. One of Jason's favorite memories with Mark was galavanting in the mountains in Bavaria and Mark sticking his head in a glacial fed stream!

Sophie and Mandy met through Cru bible study in their dorm during their freshman year of college. They began their friendship going on walks after luxurious dinners together in the dining hall and watching the bachelor/bachelorette in Sophie's dorm room because she had a TV. Since then they've lived together for 4 years, 2 of them in bunk beds. They have rollerbladed to Izzy's numerous times, met a handful of celebrities, attended countless concerts, and explored several states together, often doing these things in matching outfits. Now, Sophie is living in Southern Minnesota doing a rotation for med school. One of Mandy's favorite memories with Sophie is their late night wine and dance parties in high heels, just the two of them in their apartment.

Sam - a "Bethel guy" - and Jason's friendship really started growing while living together sophomore year between bible study, time up at the cabin, and shooting hoops. Sam is patient and incredibly hard working while still being easy going and spending plenty of time in the boat at the lake. Jason most appreciates how Sam always is bringing people together to experience life and adventures. One of Jason's favorite memories with Sam is all the hours spent tearing apart and renovating Sam and Shelby's new house!

Makella and Mandy have been friends (sort of) since the 8th grade. Mandy wasn't very fond of Makella for the first year of knowing each other because of some silly middle school drama, but soon after they became great friends and have continued their friendship through many life stages together. Makella currently works as a reliability engineer. The girls now enjoy spending time together by going out and trying new restaurants. One of Mandy's favorite memories with Makella is when they'd spend a good amount of time together in high school but then would go home and skype for most of the evening as well, playing computer games against each other.

Joy and Mandy have known each other since 8th or 9th grade when they met at their church youth group. But it was around 10th grade that their friendship grew as they spent more and more time together. Joy's dad also owns an ice cream shop and made several of Mandy's birthday cakes throughout the years. Joy has often been a source of truth and wisdom for Mandy to turn to, and her gentle spirit makes talking to her easy. Joy is currently in grad school pursuing her PharmD. One of Mandy's favorite memories with Joy is bleaching pieces of their hair together and then dying it a bright and fun color.

Cory - also a "Bethel guy" - is just one heck of a genuine guy. From honors classes freshmen year to late night theological conversations, he has been a constant source of encouragement since the start of the friendship. Disc golf games, burly man retreat, broom ball matches, and pull ups on bridges in Germany epitomizes Cory's strength and the joy he always intentionally creates in life. Jason most appreciates Cory's willingness to ask the tough questions, constant support and heart for Christ. One of Jason's favorite memories with Cory is traveling different places together including Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Indianapolis, and Europe!

Christine and Mandy have been friends since Mandy's 8th grade year (Christine's 7th grade year). They met through youth group as well. Christine has always been the kind and generous one, always having a bag of candy to share in her bag, so you can imagine she was quite popular. Since then, Christine, Joy, and Mandy have become a solid trio. The three of them are often found eating pho and eggrolls together at their go-to restaurant spot. Christine now works as a Pediatric Nurse. One of Mandy's favorite memories with Christine is when she also bleached and dyed her hair with Joy and Mandy, but it was hair that had been cut off by the hairdresser earlier that day, thinking it would be made into a clip in.

John - the tallest "Bethel guy" - has given Jason an excuse to travel to maintain their friendship over the years with a few trips to Bolivar, MO and Norman, OK, as well as Stuttgart, Germany. "Sundays" seem to be a connection for them because it is a day for church and John's wide scriptural knowledge has provided solid counsel and being an avid Packer fan, they have watched a few games together! Jason most appreciates John's ability to create community and includes others where ever he goes and the a advice he offers from his experience and knowledge. One of Jason's favorite memories with John is "booting" a security car at Bethel and attending John and Simone's wedding in Germany!

Philo and Mandy met their sophomore year of college through Laura (Mandy's freshman year roommate and Philo's roommate at the time). They were both in nursing school and really bonded over the struggle and intensity of it. After long, long hours of studying together in Northrop, they eventually graduated and continued to spend a lot of time studying for the NCLEX at Panera Bread and Chick-Fil-A (food is a good incentive). Now that both are working as RNs, they get to actually enjoy time together and are frequently challenging each other in their walks with God. Philo currently works as a Postpartum Nurse. One of Mandy's favorite memories with Philo is when they tried to work out early in the morning together on Bagel Tuesdays at Planet Fitness.

Ken - one of the "FFA guys" - acutally drove Jason a little crazy when they first met. As an extroverted, rule breaker he seemed the opposite of Jason, but in the end their friendship grew after spending more time together and realizing how they could compliment one another. Ken loves to try new things and gain experiences and is always inviting other to join in his experiences. Jason most appreciates Ken's perspective and how he always pushes those around him to grow and take risks. One of Jason's favorite memories with Ken is visiting his home in New York and helping to milk cows!

Rachel and Mandy both think they met for the first time in October 2016 when Jason and Rachel (Jason's sister) ran the Twin Cities Marathon where Mandy was there supporting Brandon, their mutual friend. Rachel and Mandy bonded over nursing, as Rachel was working as an RN and Mandy in her last year of nursing school. Months later, Mandy asked Jason for Rachel's contact to talk nursing, but it may or may not have been an excuse to contact Jason. After Jason and Mandy reconnected a year and a half later, Rachel and Mandy began spending more time together with Jacob, Rachel's husband, and Jason. Rachel is currently finishing up her Nurse Midwifery degree while working as a labor and delivery nurse. One of Mandy's favorite memory with Rachel is when they walked around downtown, waiting to get rush tickets at the Orpheum to see Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory that night.

Seth - another one of the "FFA guys" - and Jason's first memorable interaction was Seth opening the door of a slowly moving van and throwing up about 9 years ago. While Jason does not get motion sick like Seth, they do share a love for fly fishing, quiet time in the mountains, quality family time, and even had the pleasure of working together at the same company. Seth loves to travel and spend time on his family ranch. Jason most appreciates Seth's ability to help people approach challenges from a different perspective. One of Jason's favorite memories with Seth is fly fishing on various trips!

Amanda and Mandy have known each other since the summer before 8th grade, when they both were trying out for the Mounds View tennis team. They became close very quickly and became partners for several extracurricular activities, such as orchestra stand partners, speech, and ping pong. They actually ended up getting 3rd place at the State Girls Ping Pong Tournament as doubles partners! Amanda now lives in New York, working as a merchandise finance associate. Fun fact: Amanda got to be a balloon handler at a Macys's Thanksgiving Parade. One of Mandy's favorite memories with Amanda is the cringey speech meets that they attended and did very poorly at, but simply enjoyed the time together being silly.

Pat - rounding out the "Bethel guys" - breathes life into our group. While he may have been primarily fueled on candy and sugary soda during one phase of life, Pat is always upbeat and encouraging. Pat goes with the flow including with his hair, but possess strong perseverance and sticks things out. Jason most appreciates Pat's sense of humor and storytelling plus sharing workout tips. One of Jason's favorite memories with Pat is playing Settlers of Catan late into the night and travelling to Germany!

Ryan - another one of the "FFA guys" - and Jason's relationship goes back the furthest on the FFA team, all the way to when they were preparing for FFA office. They quickly connected on their faith and excitement about facilitating. Ryan has heart for students and has a ton of patience. Jason most appreciates Ryan's willingness to serve others. One of Jason's favorite memories with Ryan is connecting every year at National FFA Convention for the last nine years in a row!

Mari and Mandy also became friends the summer before 8th grade, right after Mandy moved to the Twin Cities. Mari was Mandy's first friend in the cities after Mandy's dad called the High School tennis coach (who happens to be Mari's dad) and set them up for a tennis play date. As the school year started, Mari welcomed Mandy to the rest of her friend group and they have been in each others' lives ever since! Now, Mandy and Jason regularly go on double dates with Mari and her husband, Trevor, in addition to seeing them at church. Mari is currently in grad school to pursue her Master's in Teaching while also teaching science at a Charter School. One of Mandy's favorite memories with Mari is when they got to compete as a doubles team at High School Girls Tennis Sectionals.

Cain - the final "FFA guy" - is definitely a southern boy and not a fan of snow like Jason! While they come from different geographic locations they align in their faith and excitement for agricultural economics. Despite never living very close to one another in the last few year, it seems their lives overlapped with Jason stopping at their place four times a year while driving out to school and living on the east coast and traveling together. Jason most appreciates Cain's willingness to share about his life, offer grounded thoughts and advice and be available to connect.One of Jason's favorite memories with Cain is officiating Cain and Whitney's wedding!

Ivy is Mandy's favorite (and only) niece. Mandy and her parents frequently fly to D.C., where Mandy's brother, Ronny, lives with his wife Calinda and their little girl Ivy. Ivy speaks 3 languages (English, Mandarin, and Cantonese), is very curious and observant, and loves tigers. However, one of the things Ivy enjoys doing the most is dancing. One of Mandy's favorite memories with Ivy is on their most recent family cruise around the dinner table when Ivy made sure that everyone at the table was clapping and singing row, row, row your boat while waiting for the meals to arrive.

Emma - Jason's only niece, lives with her parents, Adam and Kathi, in Rochester, MN. She loves everything princess and Disney especially her favorite - Ariel from the Little Mermaid. Emma is pretty shy around people, particularly at first, but we are told she is a nonstop talker at home. Since Jason has been back in Minnesota, Emma now actually knows how he is, but her favorite is soon to be aunt "Mamby" who even helped her get her nails done! One of Jason's favorite memories with Emma is all the cute pictures mom sends and her crazy facial expressions!