Rachel and I have been friends for over three years now. We met in the amazing dorm of Decker my freshman year at Gardner-Webb and quickly became close friends, deciding to become roommates my sophomore year (her senior year). From late-night roommate talks which ended up in Rachel falling asleep most of the time, road trips with car jams, taking trips on her motorcycle, our families adopting each of us into the family, late-night texts when we both are wide awake, and antiquing adventures, this one has become one of my closest friends. She has been a big part of Tanner and I's journey and I can't wait to have her stand by my side!

Christian and I have been friends since elementary school when we attended VBS at my church together and his dad became our interim pastor. Growing up, he has been my best friend for many years so it is only fitting to make him my best man as well. We really became close in middle school when we played on the golf team together and when it came time to go to college, it was a no brainer that we would room together. I remember several times before Sarah and I were dating when Sarah, me, Christian, and Megan would go on double dates that “weren’t double dates.” He has been there as Sarah and I’s relationship has grown and we are excited to have him as a part of this big day.

Though I have only known Parrish for a couple years, it feels like a lot longer. As soon as we started getting to know each other my second year at Caswell (his first) we knew we would be friends. I remember one night early on in the hallway of the men’s hall of the staff house we started talking one night and before we knew it, we had been talking for an hour. We continued to talk and keep in touch after Caswell and just like Christian, he has been a big part of Sarah and I’s relationship. I remember the night I decided to propose to Sarah, I called Parrish into the room and he was the first person I told

Aubree and I did not start as friends when we first met, as we both were not very fond of each other. Through time though, we became some of the closest friends. We are practically the same person when it comes to our love for adventuring to abandoned places, exploring new areas, breaking out of escape rooms, watching true-crime documentaries, dancing together, investigating paranormal activities, and all things Southwestern. I am so thankful for such a fun and adventurous friend and I am so excited for her to be a part of Tanner and I's Big Day!

Growing up an only child, I never knew what it was like to have a brother or sister. I am so happy that I will get to call Samuel my brother in law in just a few short months. In the past few years I’ve seen Samuel mature and grow up and I’ve really enjoyed hanging out with him. I look forward to more hunting trips in the future and throwing apples at road signs in the back of a truck.

Kayleigh and I became friends through living together in Decker and having classes together. We also did not start off liking each other but that soon changed when we started having inside jokes and having deep, life talks. From couch-talks of pouring our feelings out to each other, making memes that only each other thought were funny, having continuous caf lunch dates for three consecutive years, creating videos of interesting dance moves, and finally being able to make a full car with her, her Tanner, my Tanner, and I, she has become one of my closest friends. I am excited to have her be a part of our wedding and I am looking forward to her wedding soon too!

Leslea and I became close friends in an unexpected way. We both went on a D.C. trip with the education department at Gardner-Webb my sophomore year (her junior year) and we quickly bonded on this trip. I knew on this trip that we would be life-long friends. From bonding over the struggle of being education majors, having dinner dates that end up in conversations lasting for hours, walking through stores dreaming about designing our houses, and having double dates with her now fiance (yaaay!), this girl has become one of my closest go-to friends. I am so thankful that she will get to stand with me on this Big Day and I am looking forward to her wedding coming soon!

I don’t really know how Jon Marc became my friend. He just kinda showed up and bam, new friend. Regardless, it’s been awesome getting to know him and growing closer to him as he quickly became Christian and I’s honorary third roommate. He’s the person who converted me to Xbox, he’s my favorite almost Canadian, and he’s a great friend. One early memory I have of Jon Marc was when we went on a winter retreat with Gardner-Webb and we froze together in a little cabin at Camp Mundo Vista.

I’ve known Kevin for a while through Christian, but we didn’t become that close until I went to college. Sarah has been close to his now fiancé, Leslea, so that also brought us closer together. Kevin was another honorary roommate of mine along with Jon Marc, especially considering the room was his before it was ours. There were many times when we would all hang out in the room and break the “no more than 5 people in a room” rule. I’ve really valued Kevin’s friendship and look forward to having him as a part of this special time.

Amanda and I have been friends for eight years now and first became friends in seventh grade. Going through middle and high school together, we were each other's go-to and were constantly laughing about something. Our friendship is still strong after being at different colleges and we pick up right where we left off when we see each other. From getting lost on road trips together (with Amanda navigating and her being the one to find our way back), going antiquing, running a business together, crafting together, having countless sleepovers (anywhere from a house, a tent, or tree house), and being adopted daughters in each other's families, this girl has been the longest and strongest friendship I've had. Can't wait to have her by my side!!