Caroline and I met our freshman year in AOII and eventually became roommates for our last two years of college in Toll House! We have gotten to experience so much of life together, both throughout college & post-grad. It has been such a joy to grow alongside her over the past five years, and our friendship only gets better with time! She has been a constant, steady presence in my life and has taught me what it looks like to show up and serve others well. She is deeply genuine and intentional, always remembering the tiniest details about my life and cheering me on through anything life throws my way. I am so lucky to have her!

Riley and I have been friends for almost 10 years now! We met in class our freshman year of high school and eventually became close through our theatre program. We have been inseparable ever since! Even while navigating long-distance friendship from Tennessee to California for a couple of years, our friendship never wavered. I have always felt right at home when Riley is around — we could go on a walk in Collegedale for hours on end, and it still would never feel like enough time. Riley is honest, deeply loyal, and loves me so well. Her friendship refreshes my soul!!!

Brooke and I met freshman year of college through AOII and a theatre class! I was immediately drawn to her infectious joy — the kind that could only come from walking closely with the Lord. One of my favorite things about our friendship is how we can go from being all giggles one minute to having the deepest conversations the next. Brooke is everyone’s biggest cheerleader, one of the most selfless people I know, and such a safe place to land. She is truly an angel on earth, and I am so blessed to have her in my life!

Sarah and I also met our freshman year in AOII & quickly became the best of friends. She immediately drew me in with her joyful, spunky personality! There is truly never a dull moment when Sarah is around — she is all things fun. But honestly, that isn’t even my favorite thing about her. I have never had another friend who speaks truth into my life quite like Sarah does, and I am better because of it. She is fiercely loyal, deeply loving, & I am so thankful the Lord gave me a friend like her!

Caroline and I became friends while living in the AOII house sophomore year, and after one walk at Lakeshore Park, I just knew we were going to be friends for a long, long time! We became especially close as roommates in Toll House, and even though life has gotten busy and we don’t get to see each other as often, we always pick right back up where we left off. Caroline brings pure light into my life and is as genuine as they come. She just gets me like no one else, and I like to think God made us two only children friends so we could both finally have a sister in each other!

Baylee and I became fast friends through YoungLife when she was placed at Gibbs High as my co-leader! Doing ministry alongside her for two years was one of the sweetest and most formative seasons of my life, filled with lots of laughs, tears, and conversations about how God was moving in our lives. Baylee has always filled my cup with so much wisdom and pointed me back to the Father. I look up to her in so many ways and admire the way she speaks truth with kindness, gives so generously, and is always the best listening ear. She is someone I hold very close to my heart!

I met Nicholas 25 years ago in a hospital. Sure, it was at my birth, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t special. He may be my older brother, but growing up, he was much more than that. He was a role model I looked up to and continue to look up to today. He always pushes me to be a better man, and does so not by saying it, but showing it. I am not the man I am today without his leadership, guidance, and God fearing heart.

Out of all of my friends, I’ve probably known Joey the longest (20 years). We became friends back in kindergarten, and that friendship was solidified in speech therapy where we indulged in candy after saying words like “car,” and “rabbit”. Joey is as consistent and steadfast as they come, and having the privilege of walking towards Christ with him has propelled me on my faith journey exponentially. Our friendship is the definition of "iron sharpens iron".

I met Reed in sixth grade, and our friendship continued all the way through high school and into college, despite going to different Universities. After graduating, we jumped on the opportunity to move in together back in Nashville, where we have gotten to experience the weird, and often uncomfortable, transition into adulthood from college. He is supportive, generous, and one of the most fun guys to be around. I am grateful that I have gotten to grow in this season of life with him.

The first real interaction I had with Jason was at a formal in Charleston sophomore year of college. We both sat side by side in the hotel room with terrible sunburns. We started having deep conversation (partly to distract us from the pain we were in), and those deep conversations have continued ever since. Jason’s heart for others is so genuine that it inspires me to love others better, and his intentionality is contagious. I'm grateful to know him (and now have him in Nashville).

I met Josh during pledgeship freshman year of college. We then lived together in a couple different places (shoutout Fox Lake). In fact, I was actually with Josh when I saw Christin on the Jumbotron for the first time. Josh is incredibly sincere and empathetic. He’s a friend I know I can always count on and hold me accountable, and I'm thankful for our friendship.

John and I first met in sixth grade, and he quickly became one of the funniest guys I know. We shared a bedroom in 3 different places over the course of 4 years at UT, and have more stories than I can count. Having the opportunity to pursue Christ in college alongside my roommate did more for my faith journey than I ever could have imagined, and his consistent friendship through it all has been a blessing.