Emma and I first met in high school, where we spent years singing in choir together and bonding over our shared love of creativity, math, and science. She is, without a doubt, one of the most adventurous and courageous people I know. Emma is the kind of person who puts herself out there, takes risks, and ends up living the coolest stories because of it. She has an infectious personality, the best smile in the world, and is always down for an adventure. I loved growing up with her, but I have loved even more getting to watch her become the incredible person she is today. She makes me so proud through her work in engineering and her commitment to making the world a better place. Some of my favorite memories with Emma include our choir shenanigans, our trip through Europe (having the time of our lives in Berlin, England, France, & Scotland!!). She makes every trip, every adventure, and every memory better just by being there.

I met Chloe in college through Jesse, her now-husband, but it was truly love at first sight for me too. She instantly filled my life with adventure, joy, nights of playing True American with the gang, and piggy-back rides home from our beloved McNally’s Pub. College would not have been the same without her, and now she’s a bonafide lawyer off to start her clerkship in Laredo. I’m so grateful for the annual reunions and Beer Olympics that keep our college family together, and even more grateful to have Chloe standing by my side.

Lizzie, lovingly known as Dr. Lizzo, is the kind of person who can somehow give life-changing advice, make you laugh until you cry, and give you an unsolicited wedgie all in the same night. We met through Chloe back in college, and over the years she has become one of the people I look up to most. She is a brilliant physician, a trusted mentor, and the first person I called when I got my MCAT score back. Her pep talks are legendary, the kind that leave you feeling like you just walked out of a football locker room ready to win the whole game. Whether we are drinking Naturdays by the water, playing True American, taking old-fashioned family photos, or getting ramen with her amazing family on a snowy St. Louis night, Lizzie makes every moment better. I am so grateful to have Dr. Lizzo by my side on my wedding day.

Morgan, also known as Morg-Dorg, and I became friends our freshman year of college, later became roommates, and life was instantly more fun with her in it. From slip-and-slide flip cup parties to working together at BreadCo, I have always loved the way Morgan turns ordinary moments into the best memories. She is intelligent, creative, hilarious, and always down to build something, try something, or turn any day into a full-blown adventure. We had the best time with our many shenanigans, taking spring break trips together, and playing beer pong as one giant person morphed together with her on my shoulders. She even turned Halloween into one of my favorite holidays. I love visiting her now in Madison and seeing all the amazing things she is doing in food science. Morgan is wildly talented, has the best taste, and I am so proud of everything she has accomplished and continues to accomplish.

I met Erin aka Er-Bud (read: Airbud) in college through her now-husband, Jacob, and I have loved every second of getting to know her over the years and how effortlessly fun and wildly creative she is. Some of my favorite memories with her are late-night talks at the lake house, thrifting and shopping together on trips, playing bocce ball, listening to Meow Mix while tanning on a boat, or simply sitting on a porch while she shares her endless wisdom. Er-bud has the best style of anyone I know, makes the most beautiful jewelry, and is truly a ride-or-die friend. I feel so lucky to have met her and even luckier to have her by my side.