Abby and I met in 2014 when we both visited Penn State for a graduate prospective student gathering. We soon became roommates and bonded over our mutual love of good food, Texas, and her adorable Australian Shepherd Kirby. Neither of us can deny a well-seasoned, medium-rare steak with jalapeno poppers (which we affectionately call "Texas salad"). Since both of us think with our stomachs, it's no wonder most of our fond memories together involve food! No matter what mood I am in, Abby never fails to make me laugh and offer a dozen or two hugs. She is truly one of the most loyal people I know, and we've been there for each other through thick and thin since the day we met. Everyone knows that things are just bigger in Texas, and Abby has a Texas-sized heart to prove it.

When Shelby joined the graduate department during my second year at PSU, we instantly clicked over fashion and fitness. Her closet rivals that of Miranda Priestly's - if you replace the pumps with booties and the coats with blazers. When it comes to walks, she can hike anywhere, whether it's in Houston's Montrose district or out in the Pennsylvania wilderness. She has unconventional ways of eating food like preferring her steak medium and biting a whole orange without separating it into slices. Another niche talent of hers is inventing nicknames for people. Garrett is now affectionately called Carrot. A unicorn of sorts, Shelby is intelligent, stylish, well-spoken, down-to-earth, and most importantly a complete weirdo.

Beth (or "Weth") and I met the same way Abby and I did. We became the Three Musketeers and were basically inseparable during my time in graduate school. I could always count on Beth to remind me to eat a balanced meal of ice cream and vegetables, since those were her primary food groups. We both share a love for the outdoors, dancing to random songs, and eating whatever dessert is on the table. Although Beth is a vegetarian, she has thankfully welcomed poultry into her diet, which is step one in our plans to make her a true Texan and graduate to eating steak. At one point, I even tried vegan chorizo because of her...something I would have never ever EVER dreamed of eating, which goes to show how lovable and influential she really is.

Angela and I go way back to freshman year at Rice University a decade ago. We quickly became inseparable after the first day of orientation playing pass the orange and Wah! I gravitated towards her bubbly and extroverted personality and her loud giggles that you could hear a mile away. We would talk and gossip for hours about nothing and everything, and she was always game for a late night trip to Teahouse down the road. It's something that we both look forward to on our reunions even now! She has traveled all around the world, so ask her where she has been and I guarantee she will have tons of pictures to show. If you're curious about our days together at Rice, she is the go-to person for embarrassing and hilarious stories!

Like many of my closest friends, Victoria and I met during graduate school. A group of us would frequently hang out at one another's apartments making tacos, salsa, and steak. That's when I first learned that she has an enviable talent for making anything taste good and anyone feel welcome. We bonded during a geoscience field trip to West Texas and our friendship has grown ever since. Victoria can teach you how to "dress" a beer and knows all the lyrics to every Selena song. She brings the life to any party, and I'm lucky to have her by my side for the most important day of my life.

Jen and I have had our fair share of adventures together. The beauty of Jen is that she never turns down an opportunity to have a good time. Ever since we met at PSU, our list of shenanigans has grown. From climbing Mount Nittany to driving three hours to Pittsburgh and back for a Blind Pilot concert and roaming through Times Square at 3 AM, there's never a dull moment with her. We both share an eclectic taste for music and love trips to coffee shops with the best mochas. Jen is a loyal friend, a fierce runner, and the ultimate road trip companion. Ask her about my visit to New York and you'll see!

Maelyn is nine years old, going into fourth grade. Her favorite color is robin's egg blue. Rocky road ice cream is her favorite dessert, and Star Wars is her favorite movie. She is an inquisitive, fun-loving girl who loves to spend time with friends and family.

Lucy is six years old, going into first grade. Her favorite color is red, and her favorite breakfast food is an egg sandwich. An interesting fact about her is that she can do the splits! When she's not spending time with friends and family, you can find her petting all the dogs in her neighborhood.