The second of five sisters and my first best friend, Lily has always been my built-in adventure partner. From backpacking trips to raising our three younger sisters together, she’s been there through every chapter — book in hand and heart wide open. She’s the calm in the chaos, the voice of reason on the trail, and the person who knows me best.

The third of five and a middle child to be reckoned with, Joelle has never failed to crack a joke or coax a smile from even the grumpiest face. From high-stakes Monopoly negotiations to paddle-board wars that somehow always ended in laughter, she’s been one of my greatest supporters. She’s the sister who shows up loud with love, who cheers me on even when I don’t know I need it, and who reminds me that life is meant to be lived playfully. Joelle has walked beside me through every season — steady, hilarious, and fiercely loyal — and I couldn’t imagine this day without her.

The second youngest and the sister who would fight anyone for me if I so much as hinted at it — she’d just ask, “Where, when, how many?” while taping up her knuckles. Stubborn and steadfast in the best ways, Ainsley is admirable in her persistence and fierce in her perseverance. She challenges me, pushes me, and believes in me with a conviction that sometimes outmatches my own. She’s the spark that keeps me sharp, the fighter who stands beside me, and the heart that reminds me I’m capable of more. Having her with me on this day means having strength, loyalty, and love all in one.

The favorite child—though no one wants to admit it—Gwen has always been one of the greatest joys of our family and the most beloved sister. From always being silly to somehow uniting all of us in every way, Gwen brings light and happiness wherever she goes. As the youngest of five sisters, she’s truly one of a kind. Whether she’s competing in the Special Olympics or serving at Mass, Gwen constantly makes everyone around her smile. She truly brings so much joy to our family, and we are so lucky to have her.

The kind of friend you meet once and somehow instantly know they’re going to be in your life forever, I met Alex sophomore year of college on a climbing trip. Somewhere between the chaos, chalk dust, and exhaustion, she pinned a goldfish to her harness—and when we ended up laugh-crying on a hard outdoor route, I knew I had found my person. Since then, Alex has been beside me through every kind of adventure: a 40-mile backpacking trip into the Spanish Peaks, laughing about being filthy and peeing in the woods; wild climbing trips that turned into the best stories; and winter cabin weekends with no food but plenty of memories. Alex has a way of making even the hardest moments feel lighter. She pushes me to my limits while keeping me grounded in the present, reminding me to laugh, breathe, and keep going. Having her by my side on this day feels like having courage, joy, and a lifetime of adventure standing with me.

The kind of friend who can turn even the most mundane moments into the best memories, I met Mackenzie during the summer of 2023 while working at a fly shop in Craig, Montana. We were the only two female employees, and it didn’t take long before we became a team—surviving long days behind the counter, organizing flies, cleaning the shop, and laughing our way through it all. Mackenzie has a rare gift: she can talk to absolutely anyone with confidence, charm, and just the right amount of humor… even when she had no idea what she was talking about. My favorite Mackenzie moment will always be fly fishing on the Missouri River—watching her cast like a natural, fully in her element, only for her to reel in and realize she never tied a fly on the entire time. She is pure joy in human form, and having her by my side on this day feels like having laughter, light, and friendship all in one.

I met Catherine freshman year, and from the very beginning she stood out—strong, outgoing, and effortlessly kind. She was always someone I loved stopping to talk to, but it wasn’t until junior year that we truly became close. We bonded through hard coursework, late-night study sessions, and a shared faith that turned into one of the most meaningful friendships in my life. Somewhere between studying together, going on retreats, and having long beautiful conversations, Catherine became one of my safest places. By senior year we were roommates, and life with Catherine was the best kind of spontaneous—coffee runs, ski trips, rock climbing, and nonstop laughter woven into ordinary days. Catherine knows me deeply and isn’t afraid to tell me when I’m wrong (or being silly), and that honesty is one of the many ways she loves so well. One of my favorite memories will always be a weekend at my family’s cabin with Catherine, her now-husband, and my soon-to-be husband—cooking dinner, laughing until it hurt, and reminiscing on all the adventures we’ve shared. Having her by my side on this day means having faith, joy, and true friendship all in one.

We’re adding another sister to the bunch! Zoey has been such an incredible woman, and it has been so much fun getting to know her and welcoming her into our family. She challenges Zack in the best ways—and she also keeps him humble by lovingly roasting him whenever he deserves it (which is often). Zoey is strong in her faith, strong in her character, and honestly just strong in every sense of the word. It has been amazing to watch her tackle impressive feats, from weightlifting and bodybuilding to the hardest challenge of all: becoming my sixth sister. Zoey is exceptionally smart, genuinely kind, and full of warmth. I’m so honored to be joining her family, and even more excited to have her standing with me on this day.