Katie and Colee first met when they were 4 year olds.. quickly becoming a pact on the 'Groovy Green Glitter Girls' soccer team where Katie's mom, Jeanne, coached the girls. To a championship, I'm sure ;) What started as wearing green glitter on the soccer field moved to Colee going to Katie's basketball games after sleepovers, and then finally ended in the two of us playing together on the good ol' Lakeville South bball team. When Winona didn't work out, Colee of course had to follow her bestie to the U of MN. Now living less than 10 minutes from one another, life could not be more of a childhood dream. Within all those years of memories, one of the best they shared was in London when they studied abroad together, and where Katie met her now husband, Jack (who is one of Alex, and of course Colee's, favorite people). There is no way to express Colee's appreciation of her friendship with Katie, as she has been the ~sister she has never had~ for almost 30 years now, and hopefully for forever to go! :)

Amy is part middle school, but mostly high school friend who has only grown into one of Colee's best friends throughout the years. Amy is one of the most thoughtful, intentional, and selfless people in my life. She has been one of those who has understood, seen, and supported me for who I am; especially navigating any mental health related business. Amy has a heart of true GOLD, and I don't know how, but she just shows up when there is a need - without even being asked. Amy and her husband Quentin continually open their family up to Alex and me (aka loving on their 2 sweet babies), and it is always a question who has more fun when we all play together :) Amy continues to be a bright light in Colee's life, reminding her there are many beautiful powers above herself that are always carrying her/us through any hard time(es).

Baylee has been another 'bestie from day 1' to Colee for 25+ years. The first memories of making homemade VHS videos together will forever last in Colee's heart. Baylee has not only been a best friend to Colee throughout the years but a mom/doctor during all of our high school, college, and throughout all of the years following. Baylee has such a natural and nurturing persona, and it doesn't help that she is one of the smartest people you will ever meet. You know someone is a big deal when you go to college parties and people ask "wait, are you BAYLEE's roommate?!" All jokes aside, Baylee has always been someone who has made everything look easy, yet be beyond generous in her intentions and the way she gives to the world around her. I could not imagine life without her.

Jamie and I are 364 days apart, sharing life mems since true day 1. Every week after Sunday school, we spent hours playing house, making chalk roads (..that sometimes ended in feuds hehe), jumping on her bed and jamming to Shania Twain, and I experienced my very first concert.. Britney Spears.. with Jamie and Auntie Jodi. Jamie and her family first took me to the horse races, and we shared pulltab excitement as kids.. later becoming some of my and Alex's favorite things together. Jamie is someone who I can confide in and 100% will never, ever feel judged or shamed. She makes being a mama look easy, and it is the greatest joy to watch her bring her sweet babies to all the places and things we ourselves used to do together as little cousins

Tori is another cousin who is only one year older. Growing up right across Lakeville, we have shared a lifelong of memories together as well. From days at Kamp Dels in her camper, where I first learned 'some old people can take their teeth out' aka what dentures were, to traveling to North Dakota to spend college game day with her, some of the most undivided and intentional times I have had have been shared with her. Tori has always been someone who has made everything she does look easy. From beauty to brains - to insanely deep connections with friends to professional success, Tori is someone I have looked up to somewhat quietly since birth, and will continue to forever into the future

Oh hayls. Where to begin. One day when sitting at the good old front desk at The Knoll apartments in Dinkytown, in walks Hayley, tearful and radiating sadness. Of course me, loving any opportunity to ~talk about feelings~ asked her if she was ok. From there, the connections from neighboring high schools to our dads crossing paths in their work lives just deepened one of the most genuine relationships I have had. Hayls is someone who is not afraid to be herself and stay home on NYE in college to knit vs go out with everyone else, yet she is also ~down for anything.~ Hayley has guided me through some of the most difficult times in my life, and she is the brightest light that I am incredibly lucky to call a best friend

Claire is a person who TRULY is not like anyone else you will ever, ever meet. I have no idea how me, a person who hates talking to strangers, ended up striking up a conversation with her on a random train to France, but I guess it's a testament to the person she is, and what she brings out in others. Claire and I quickly became attached while studying abroad together, and thank the good lord she happened to also go to the U, so we could continue that friendship on when coming home. Not only that, but it once again continued into Milwaukee, when I was roomies with Jenner, who ends up marrying Claire in the sweetest of love stories. Claire has been such a wonderful reminder in my life that we shouldn't take life too seriously all the time, and we should take the trip or do things 'out of what picture life says you need to follow' that embody our passions and help us to be the real versions of ourselves.

Well Abby is another person you TRULY will never be able to compare to anyone else in this world. Abby is my (and pretty much everyone else she meets) spirit animal. She is electric, positive, deeply caring and analytical, sensitive and in tune to those around her, SO FRICKEN FUNNY, and about 1543867 other things there is not enough room to include. I have never left a time with Abby without be incredibly filled up, and that is the sweetest embodiment of a human. Despite her bach party being many years ago, I probably think about it daily due to the fact that the memories are truly indescribable for the weekend, and that is Abby to a T. From being neighboring high school to U of MN to study abroad (and back) friends, my life will never be better than when around Abby

Maddie Pearson. The Donkey to my Shrek in the way that she keeps me going through all life's journeys, and her dancing and singing move mountains. What started out as coworkers, moved to friends, progressed to besties, and now considered work wives.. Maddie is my life hero/angel that I never knew I needed. For many more hours a day than I get to spend with Alex, Maddie is my other second half. She listens and problem solves with me as an unpaid therapist, she helps me grow like a teacher, she encourages me much like a coach, yet it is within all of the other undefinable things that I am my best me because of her. She just gets me, and I just wish everyone in the world had someone like that, too.

Baily and I share Mendele cousins as husbands. For as different as the of of them are, Baily and I have always seemed to "understand" since the start. Alex and Trevor spend 50% of their time on the phone together, so basically Baily and I are together half of our lives whether we like it or not (thankfully, she's pretty incredible so it has been more than a blessing). When not on the phone, Baily and I have spent countless hours together at the bowling alley, fishing, playing bingo, talking about our love for helping others (especially kiddos), bouncing wedding ideas off of eachother (aka me basically asking for help bc she gets married the wedding before and has 110% of it already figured out), and/or figuring out ways to fight the Sunday Scaries. What a bonus to turn a friend into family forever!

Back in middle school, our Lakeville soccer club heard we "had to welcome" some players from neighboring Farmington. Little did I know, one of those would share more in common than many. Blonde hair that got our own parents mixed up on the field, the same midfield position, a love for the gophys and science, strong feelings towards both Winona and the pudder from Erbs and Gerbs, and dads who consider their classic cars part of the family. Kelli has helped push me out of my comfort zone with intramural soccer games 2+ hours past my bedtime (and halfway across the state) and with joining a co-ed softball team/sport I have never once before played (despite soccer motor memory that left me with shin bruises from "catching" with my legs instead of my glove). Kelli makes life easy, and reminds me everything will be ok. Her friendship is so valued!

Jess and I met eachother before the age of 5. From going to birthday parties together due to a shared neighbor and daycare friend, to experiencing all that high school is at Lakeville South, to hating our lives together at Winona State (aka late nights of eating rice krispy bars and slim jims, binge watching One Tree Hill, and figuring out our escape plans), later sharing memories of wedding dress shopping, Jess has been there for and through it all. Far more important than any of that, Jess deserves her own appreciation speech for being the one to bring Alex and me together!! What was supposed to be me wing womaning' for her, ended with a husband for me.. how could she ever not be one of both of our favorite people in the world!!