Although Kirsten was initially a little disappointed to share attention at age 1.5 with another Weagle *ugh*, she quickly became a lifelong best friend. She has been a constant source of support, love, and adventure. Leading the way down ski slopes, navigating the perils of junior high, and embarking on 50k hikes that to Kirsten are "just an average walk," she has always been the fearless leader of this sibling duo. Determined, strong, and undeniably the brains of the operation, Kirsten is the best older sister a girl could ask for.

From July 10th to December 28th, 1995, six long months passed without Claire. Growing up just three doors down from Claire meant a childhood filled with dance parties, post-school "Friends" viewing sessions, weekly lemonade stands, and endless fun. In the innocence of being five, Claire was affectionately referred to as "my sister from another mister." Though we now understand that this phrasing is probably not appropriate, she will always hold the title of the best little sister. From family trips to Costa Rica, attempting to keep pace with her on the ski slopes and in the swimming pool, to pleading, "Can Claire PLEASE stay over tonight?!" she remains a lifelong best friend.

Caitlin showed up to our dance class at age four in her sparkly tutu, and I instantly knew we "HAD" to be friends. Throughout elementary school, we had the time of our lives. Whether we were spending way too much time on the monkey bars, forming an exclusive gymnastics club at the end of the field, or inevitably getting in trouble for sitting on our backpacks on the bus, we always knew how to have a good time. Fortunately, our friendship only strengthened through junior high and became forever bonded over the trauma of tackling our grade nine science fair project together, with the grand idea to build a windmill. Caitlin emerged as the athletic leader of the group, dominating the basketball court, soccer field, volleyball court, and track whenever she wasn’t hanging out with the crew. Through thick and thin, you can always count on Caitlin to provide honesty, support, and unconditional love.

Candice quickly became a part of the crew when we met at our hip hop class at age four. She embodies quiet confidence within the group. Throughout elementary school and junior high, it was rare to find Candice without Rachael by her side. Before each school year, a little prayer was whispered in the hopes of sharing a classroom, as it would undoubtedly make the year SO much better. Into adulthood, Candice has remained the epitome of loyalty. She exudes patience, forgiveness, remarkable intelligence, and is an all- around amazing person.

Delainey joined the crew in grade primary to round out the “Fab Four” with Candice, and Caitlin. Although we typically got separated in class for too much talking, Delainey was a constant best friend through school. She was always there to tell the most hilarious jokes, help you get ready for your *first* high school party (see above), and get you through the tougher times. When she moved away at the end of high school, there was always a feeling that a part of the crew was missing. Now living in England with her husband, Paul, we always know that although she is an ocean away, she will always be an invaluable part of the fab four, no matter what the distance.

Referred to as Kat, Kathy-ryn, or bestie, Kathryn and I stopped being scared of each other in grade 10, and have been inseparable ever since. Growing up as piano competitors at the local festivals, Kathryn made sure to always win with class, style and the most impressive talent. Tackling high school (& IB) without Kathryn would have surely been impossible. Kat will always be there for a listening ear, pep talk and best bear hug. Kathryn could not be more kind, insanely humble and the type of friend that you just know will be lifelong.

Eric’s eldest sister, Erin, paved the way for both he and Meg to follow in her footsteps. Having nearly an identical sense of humour to Eric, they have spent countless hours belly laughing… usually at the expense of their father. Erin was also the vessel who along with Thomas graciously brought Eric’s niece Allie into the world. Eric and Rachael’s first date, when they were “just friends” also was conveniently at Erin and Thomas’ wedding in 2018, making this a full circle moment.

Eric’s closest in age sister, Meg unfortunately had to be demoted to the rank of middle child, when the Gates family was absolutely blessed with the birth of Eric. That being said, Meg has acted as much more than a middle sibling and more so a role model for Eric as he followed in her footsteps to UNB. She has obviously set a great example for him as in his first year chemistry lecture, the Prof (a prof Meg wouldn’t have had for 4 years) asked if he was related to her. Meg was also tasked with keeping an eye out for her little brother while she was in grade 12 and he was in grade 9 at HHS. Rachael and Eric are also eternally grateful for Meg fielding countless annoying over-concerned cat questions when it comes to Rachael and Eric’s feline child, Carole.

Kieran has been one of Eric’s best friends since he can remember. From lighting model rockets off to countless backyard rink hockey games to endless adventures in the back-woods, many of their core childhood memories were spent together. It just made it that much easier for them to form those memories as they lived right next door to each other. Believe it or not there were enough trips back and forth that they, along with their siblings, had a path worn down between the two homes in Hampton. Having never had a brother, Kieran really fit the mold for Eric, playing all of the same sports and enjoying nearly all of the same activities, the two were nearly inseparable in their early years up on the ridge in Hampton. PS- The stories Kieran could tell you about Eric growing up are probably far too detrimental to their current careers. If you want one that won’t tarnish your impression of either of these fine gentlemen, ask Kieran if he’s ever gotten lost skiing at Sugarloaf.

Eric and Drew met through their involvement with Global Brigades in 2016. When Drew moved to Fredericton to continue his engineering degree at UNB, their friendship continued to grow. It was through Drew that Eric got introduced to his degenerate roommates Cam and Chris at 660 Graham Ave. Drew and Eric share countless similar interests and spent many evenings at Head Hall, where Drew would sneak Eric into the nice study areas and computer labs reserved for engineering students. Even though Drew has moved to Newfoundland, they still remain great friends and always try to meet up wherever they are near each other. PS- feel free to ask Drew if he has any idea how to ring the bell on top of LBR at UNB.

Eric and Cam were first connected when Cam moved in to 660 at UNB Fredericton. It’s still astonishing to them that they did not meet prior to this as they both had overlap in their friend groups in the SJ area. However, they quickly made up for it with adventures towing each other behind cars/snowmobiles skiing, fishing, and volunteer trips to Honduras. Cam really fits in great with the Gates family and has joined them on four trips to Smuggs and even employed Eric’s Dad for a week in the summer (but not according to the CRA) when he hired him to build his deck. Even though they were in different provinces for 5 years, Cam and Eric’s friendship instantly went back to the Fredericton days once Eric moved back East. PS- if you want an excellent story ask Cam what navigation he used to get from MTL to Vermont after a Mumford and Sons concert in the middle of the night.

Eric and Chris got acquainted through the house at 660 and Global Brigades. They both share a love for outdoor activities and tech and more recently have both become quite the scotch enthusiasts. They regularly send each other small bottles of whatever they have in their cabinets, so the other person can try it for the first time. Once Eric had moved to Ottawa, they still regularly kept in touch and lamented about the grad school woes as Chris had started his Master of Engineering. Chris was able to visit Smuggs with Eric and his family, which helped form so many amazing memories. Now that they are both on the East Coast, they have been able to get together a few times with Chris visiting Eric during his bachelor-era before Rachael had moved to PEI. PS- if you want a great story ask Chris if he has ever returned a bottle of scotch to a quaint Mom and Pop liquor store in VT.

Eric and André met while doing their PhDs at uOttawa. André has a deep love for the outdoors and fishing, so they both hit it off instantly. André and Eric had countless memorable fishing trips and outdoor excursions which was the icing on the cake to Eric’s time in Ottawa. André is truly a salt of the earth guy and one of the kindest people Eric has met, so he helped balance the group dynamic between Eric, Nick and Mike. Although they haven’t moved yet, one of Eric’s greatest goals is to convince André and his fiancée, Camille, to move East (Maritimers, feel free to lend a helping hand with this during the wedding weekend). PS- If you want to start a rife between the four uOttawa guys, when they are all together feel free to ask Nick and Mike how many splake they caught in November 2021.

Eric and Mike met when they both started their PhDs at the same time in September 2018. As the new kids on the floor of MRN2 they bonded quickly. During their time in Ottawa Mike was instrumental in Eric achieving one of the greatest feats in the capital… being able to make it up the Pink Lake hill on a bicycle. Mike was one of the hardest working scientists Eric has seen in a chem lab, so having him as a friend helped push himself both in the lab and on the bike! Having parted ways after their PhDs with Mike now in Boston, they still regularly keep in touch due to their love of music and twitter memes. PS- If you want to be impressed, ask Mike what university he is now working at.

Eric met Nick, the last of the uOttawa quadruple, when he started his PhD in a lab on the same floor as Eric. They instantly became great friends over their love of football and endless bickering. One of the weirdest memories Eric and Nick have together, is sitting in Eric and Rachael’s apartment in Ottawa watching the CTV coverage of when the Ottawa police finally forced the freedom convoy out of the city. Nick being an extremely wise and smart friend really gave Eric a great person to ask for advice for anything from science to cars to housing. Although they are now a few provinces away from each other, they still talk often about the current news in the NFL and science. PS- Feel free to ask Nick why he had to trade in his Toyota Tacoma for a Nissan Altima.