Hannah and I met in our freshmen year of college and became fast friends. She, quite literally, has watched my relationship with Nathan from day one (she met Nathan on our first date!). Hannah is my style icon, co-host, charcuterie aficionado, and my voice of reason.

Tanner was probably the first friend I made in college. We met during the first week of school due to my other friends saying I was hipster because I wore Vans shoes… Tanner and I share one collective mind.

Kelsey is my dearest and oldest friend, but is really more like my sister. It’s been her and me since age 4, when she decided to become my friend after she found out I also liked to wear camis. She has seen me through the highs and lows of childhood, including every bad haircut, fandom obsession, and fashion decision and she’s still here!

Elliot and I grew up together from a very early age. I probably stayed over at his home every single weekend, playing Runescape and creating awful home videos with his Dad’s camcorder. Elliot and I were successful at creating Chaos Chao in Sonic Adventure 2 at a young age.

Emma makes life more colorful and fun. A natural performer from day one, Emma was always down for a household production of whatever musical we were into at the time (her role as Edna in our version of Hairspray! is iconic) and knew just how to rile a laugh out of people. I can always trust in Emma to go for a drive with the windows down, to laugh with me until we cry, and to be honest with me.

Tyler and I bonded over our love for random video games and also Naruto. Tyler was one of the first people to go to a Vandy Smash Tournament with me and we would spend long long nights of camaraderie following said tournaments. I’ll never forget seeing the Sunrise thinking they were car headlights. Tyler and I watch people play Mario Party for fun.

Gio can effortlessly light up a room with their radiance and wit. It’s hard to believe that they barely spoke when we were little because their personality is just so exuberant. They are a gifted artist with a variety of mediums, and I love seeing life through their eyes and their creations. I can always count on Gio to commit to the bit, to listen intently, and to watch Angus, Thongs & Perfect Snogging even though we’ve seen it a million times

David and I met our freshman year through the wonderful game of Super Smash Brothers (Specifically the Wii U version). We would spend countless hours playing this game with our friends and have played over 10,000+ matches (I wish this was an exaggeration, it’s extremely literal). David and I as a duo can be known as “Team Whiskey.”

I first met Angela our sophomore year at recruitment for our sorority. From then on, our lives have been intertwined in so many ways. Angela and I are almost the same person. We match each others’ energies effortlessly and I can always count on Ang for a carpool, coffee run, cozy hangs, or just a good time.

Zach and I met in middle school at our local church in Illinois. We were probably the most consistent attendees of Studio 78, and Monday Night Live, our youth groups. Zach and I are Rock Band aficionados.

Jordan magically entered my life all thanks to a Facebook post that Hannah and I sent out looking for a new roommate. Since then, she has so seamlessly melded into my world that it feels like Jordan has been here all along. She is a safe landing place, a jet-setter, a documentarian of life, and gives the best hugs.

David and I bonded over our love to play music. Across the long time of us knowing one another, we’ve played in many groups together, such as: Corso, Kites, Shout Hamburger, Say No More, Studio 78 and MNL worship teams, and more. David and I experienced the greatest high five of all time nearly 10 years ago, and we’re still talking about it.

Stef is the bonus blessing that I got when Nathan came into my life. She possesses the talent of making anybody feel like a somebody, with her inviting personality and contagious spirit. She hypes up those around her, she makes the little moments feel like magic, and she loves a theme almost as much as I do. Stef makes life more fun, and I am so lucky to gain her as a sister.