Lauren is my younger sister by 1.5 years. We grew up together and attended school side-by-side from elementary to Texas A&M University, where she graduated in 2019 right after I did. Lauren has always been a valued and celebrated connection in all of her relationships. She is compassionate, empathetic, generous, charismatic and adventurous. Everyone who has had the pleasure of her friendship can testify that she has brought them goodness and light. Lauren exemplifies true leadership and grace, and as my most trusted advisor for over 26 years, Maid of Honor could not be a more fitting title for her.

Emily is my younger sister by 4.5 years. Resilient, wise, unstoppable and endlessly good-natured, she's blazed a trail of experience and success through her early adulthood life at commendable speed. She's hardworking and dedicated to her career, but she always makes time for her friends and family. Emily's shining moxie and infectious humor give her lovable qualities of dependability and kindness. She's universally adored and a must-have attendee at every party. Her tight closeness with her three sisters all throughout childhood and early adulthood despite distance, work and differing ages is a testament to her reliability as a steadfast connection.

Andrea is my youngest sister at an age difference of 10 years. Inquisitive, clever, fierce and brave, Andrea may have spent years as the designated baby of the family, but she has become a formidable young woman. My youngest sister is bold, luxurious and stylish beyond any of the other children in the family. She is a paragon of independence, adaptability and fearlessness. She and I have always enjoyed a unique closeness despite our 10-year age gap, and imparted valuable lessons onto each other from our different stages in life in the mutual spirit of endless discovery. We will always share a bond in seeking insight and meaning.

Sam has been one of my closest and most trusted friends for over 20 years, although the Corpus and Cavazos families have known each other longer. We met in 1st grade and have been inseparable in spirit and heart ever since. From playing together in elementary, to friendly competition in middle school and high school, to attending TAMU side by side and sharing a duplex in College Station, Sam has always been a gentle voice of guidance and reason for me when we were away from home. Her empathy, practicality and easygoing nature allow for unfettered honesty and connection. Our friendship has stood many tests, and remains unshakeable and as strong as when it was only based on childlike wonder and laughter.

Vic has been one of my closest and most trusted friends for over 20 years. Vic and I are perhaps the most alike in our literary interests and romanticism, and have shared personal compositions between ourselves and with Sam over the years throughout adolescence and early adulthood. We understand each other on a level guarded from many others, and bare our deepest emotions to each other without fear of misunderstanding. I see Vic as my platonic soulmate, and will always value the creative freedom and unabashed dreaming that we have cultivated and shared since 1st grade.

Ty is one of my closest and most trusted friends. With Sam and Vic, the four of us make an inseparable and mutually devoted group of friends. Ty is a lovely, emotionally attuned darling with a bottomless well of compassion and understanding in her heart. She is always present for the people she loves, judgement-free, a patient listener and a wise and experienced guide through life's challenges. Ty and I share several interests, values and perspectives that make our friendship unique and steadfast as it is valuable. Everywhere that Ty goes is made peaceful, accepting and light-hearted by her glowing presence.