Maggie has been my best girl since we were 5 years old (that's 23 years!!!) She started out as my favorite bike riding pal, lake tubing buddy, then turned to my favorite basketball, volleyball and soccer teammate. Before long, she became my high-school side-kick, then my fellow tiger at Mizzou. Now we are living within a few blocks from each other, just as we did at the beginning of our friendship and I wouldn't have it any other way. She's the friend that has been there through it all, my constant, my favorite laugh, my side-kick, my sister. I can't wait to have her stand by me on Sean and my big day!

Kayla has shared 16 years of friendship and sisterhood with me! She has always been a voice of good reason, a source for deep belly laughs, and a constant light in my life. We have shared so many memories together including hours in our parents' houses in high school, to a full year with her by my side when we roomed together in Lathrop freshman year at Mizzou. She knows me better than I know myself, and still loves me. I am so grateful for her and her friendship and can't wait to have standing with me as I say my vows to Sean!

Kaitlin has shared ~12 years of laughs, friendship, and memories with me. From our high school days, to the summer we spent at the lake, to my most treasured time of our friendship, post-college. She is one of the funniest people I have ever met and always knows how to cheer me up. She is gifted with wisdom, faith, and joy which she generously pours into me. Kaitlin is the girl I can turn to for anything, and know she will be there. I am so grateful to her and for her and am honored to have her with me on our special day!

Hannah is the biggest ray of sunshine in my life! This girl knows how to make me feel my most confident, secure, and beloved. She has spent 16 years by my side and has remained a constant. Her family has become mine, and mine has become hers. We have spent our awkward middle school days together, shared many nights babysitting and ordering pizza, going to high school dances as each other's dates, and navigating adulthood by each other's side. She is selfless, hilarious, wise beyond her years, and made of nothing but love. She is a treasured gift to me and everyone she meets. I can't wait to have her with me on the day I become Sean's wife!

Brother from another mother. Cory and I started out as enemies in the 5th grade after he ripped my shirt during football, but we have unwavering best friends ever since. Before Sofia, Cory was the person with whom I had walked step in step. We learned to navigate the world together in our youth and have taught each other lessons along the way. There is no one else in the world who I can say has been there for it all. I am eternally grateful for his loyalty, sense of fellowship, and his natural ability to make friends/family one in the same.

My favorite person in the world to hold philosophical discussions, analyze the state of the world, and share ambitions for the future; all while yelling at the video game screen simultaneously. Wes is the person who will undoubtedly be there in the hard times, as well as the easy. We have pulled each other out of dark days and shared some of the most fun times of our lives. I will still be looking forward to this even when I am married. We should all strive to be a friend like Wes, incredibly honest and benevolent.

Before Sofia, Daylen was the yin to my yang. He and I just operate on the same wavelength. He has an infectious personality that just makes you feel like he's your friend, even after you have just met. We have spent countless hours playing basketball, watching Friends, eating food and really just figuring out our late teens/early 20's together. We ended up at separate colleges, but with a friend like him, you never feel that separated. This holds true even now across state lines. Thanks to Daylen's example; I strive to be inviting, spontaneous and courageous when interacting with the world around me.

Chris and I go all the way back to 5th grade, just like Cory. We always shared a love for all things sports. We have now grown older and, surprisingly, are not professional athletes. So now we share in the love/hate of medicine. Confiding in an old, close friend rearding the hardships of medical training is a rare gift. I am grateful to have Chris remain a close friend, despite the sacrifices he has made to complete his training as a physician. Chris' friendship has always served as personal inspiration for a commitment to excellence, integrity and humility.