God knew exactly what he was doing when he put Kendra beside me in physics my first period class and my first year in high school. August of 2007. I truly would not have survived without her, and I’m pretty sure she wouldn’t have passed without me. Throughout high school and my college years, we were literally inseparable. She was and still is my best friend, my confidant, my partner in crime, my human jukebox, my soul sister… for the last 17 years. From the laughter and through the tears, we have way too many memories to count! But summer of 2012 always takes the cake. From starting off our friendship by eating cat food (don’t ask), I will cherish these memories forever. Our drive-bys, many adventures in the blue cavalier, jamming to 3 Doors Down while winding the country backroads, the rabies scare as we were trying to sneak back inside, and our trip to Florida, just to name a few. She has seen me at my best and loved me through my worst. My best friend.

Carlene.. my bestie for the restie that I never knew I needed. The one who I can always count on when I need someone most. The one who always keeps me laughing. The one who has helped me see the light through some really dark times. Carl and I met during the first round of COVID while working at the hospital together and have been BFFLs ever since! She has stood beside me through some of the hardest days of my life and has kept me standing while we tried everything we knew how to keep patients alive. From our crazy adventure taking 3 very young, loud children to hibachi, to decorating for her daughter’s birthday while she is sick on the couch, to convincing NPs to ultrasound my leg because I’m 100% sure I had a DVT, she keeps my life full of excitement and adventure. She has accepted me as part of her fun crazy family at this point and I wouldn’t have it any other way!

Sophomore year of high school for me brought Andrew, a/k/a Quigley/Quigs, and I together. Our bus got to school earlier than most of the others and his locker was across the hall from mine. He was a freshman and I recognized him as the new kid from hockey try outs. I was going into my fourth year of playing hockey for the school and Quigs was in his first after transferring over. He was still young and innocent and I felt the need to protect him from the many personalities of the locker room. Going on our 18th year of friendship, I probably corrupted him more than protected him, but I had good intentions. Through high school and college, every minute of free time was spent in the Quigley’s basement, playing Xbox and winning money from his uncles by beating them in Bubble Hockey. Despite living in Florida, he makes my hour long commute at the end of the day feel much quicker through our talks of golf and hockey. I’m lucky to say I truly have two best friends.

Mrs. Shaub is to blame for all of this. Matt, a/k/a Smedick/Smeds, got placed next to “the quiet red head, Timmy” to help him stay out of trouble. Through elementary school, junior high, and high school we were inseparable. Not having a sibling, Smeds has always been the brother I never had. We played baseball together, hockey together, our families vacationed together, he was my ride or die. Once summer hit, we made the most of every summer day, playing wiffle ball, and swimming while listening to Eminem, Nelly, 60s music, and classic rock. Through high school we shared our late night cruises in the Cavalier with Yung Joc, T-Pain, and Lil Bow Wow blasting away. 28 years later and we are still best buds to this day.

What do you do when all your golf partners (Smeds and Quigs) move away? Find a new one! Nate started off as my coworker who trained me, but quickly forcing golf onto him and sharing a love of sports, beers (sours and hazy IPAs) business/accounting, and most importantly, Microsoft excel, he quickly became my new golf partner and buddy. Monday nights all summer long we can be found topping drives 50 yards down the fairway or piping a 200+ yard approach shot tight to the pin, with literally nothing in between. Nate has become a great mentor to me and has helped me grow a lot personally and professionally while also being a great friend.