Lauren and Kyle

My sister has always been there for me. She’s been my loudest cheerleader, fiercest protector, loyal advocate and loving friend. Growing up, I followed Nicole around wherever she went—I was the annoying little sister that wanted to be just like her big sis. We would have sleepovers together in our brother’s old bunk beds, put on endless dance shows for our parents and do our high pitch squeal-while-clapping-our-hands routine (and yes, we still do this) when something exciting happened. Since Nicole was the “angel” child growing up, I inevitably played the “rebel” role (which was hardly true, but it's fun to think so). Nicole was sweet, non-confrontational, musically talented and never wanted to kiss a boy until her wedding day. While I, on the other hand, was a bit stubborn, opinionated, bossy, liked rough sports, and wanted to kiss every boy I saw (but don’t worry, I didn’t). We were so different, which caused us to drift apart for many years. Despite that, she never stopped pursuing a relationship with me and praying for my relationship with God. Nicole consistently gives of herself and lives a self-less life in so many ways. When we were younger, she held me when our family suddenly fell apart, wrapped her arms around me when our brother died, and since then has listened endlessly when my heart was broken. Her heart to serve and pray for others, comfort the hurting and love the unlovable is truly a witness of God’s love to me and all those in her life. Over the past few years, I have grown closer to Nicole than ever before—and I can now honestly say that she is not only my sister but my best friend. God showed me His kindness when He made me Nicole's little sister. He knew the type of sister I needed, and gave me so much more than that-- a sister I couldn't live without.

It all started in Junior High small group. Paige was vivacious, lovable, fun, dramatic, beautiful and ALL the boys swooned after her. 20 years later, nothing much has changed (except that only one boy has her attention, her hubby Jed). Starting in 7th grade, we had the best church small group leaders (one of them was Kyle's cousin—small world) whom cultivated life-long friendships like this one. Paige and I have shared some of the most fun experiences in high school together— from cheering on Friday night football to youth group camps to sneaking out of our houses at night and navigating the high school "party scene." (Side note: Paige was the first person I ever sipped alcohol with...just us two in her basement like total losers. Lol.) Aside from all the fun we've shared, I will always be thankful to Paige and her parents for letting me come over and weep on their stairs for hours during one of the worst seasons of my family life. Paige was my support, encouragement, and the best friend anyone could ever ask for. We both moved out to Cali after high school and continued making crazy fun memories where she first met Jed (and for the record, I was the first one to say they were going to get married even before they started dating!). To this day, though miles separate us, Paige continues to be a friend I love and cherish, who gives me grace when life gets so busy, and makes it feel like no time has passed every time we get to visit. She is a stunning person and friend—inside and out—and I'm lucky to have her in my life.

My oldest and most constant friend in my life is Kerstin aka "Kiki." We were in a self-professed girl "biker" gang called "The Fab 5" in our elementary years—wreaking havoc on the streets of Barrington with our cool bikes and rollerblades. Kerstin lived right up the hill behind my house, so she was at my house a lot and has always been part of our family—like a third daughter to my mom. Kerstin has consistently cared so deeply for people and has loved my family so well during some of our most painful moments—something I'm forever grateful for. As you get to know Kerstin, you'll realize that she beats to her own drum and doesn't care what others think. I have always admired that about her. (In fact, she once let me give her a spontaneous "bob" haircut with a pair of dull scissors. Thank goodness she's still my friend after that! Lol.) Kiki is hilarious with her endearing quirkiness—you can't NOT laugh when you are around her. Memories like our crazy camping trips to Door County and hitch hiking in Arizona remind me that Kerstin is a one-of-a-kind friend who makes life just so much brighter when she’s around. We have shared almost every major life milestone with each other—from awkward years of blue eye shadow in Junior High (see left pic), driving around town in our VW beetles, working together as janitors at my church, celebrating our 21st birthdays in Vegas (yikes!) to watching Kerstin walk down the aisle and have her first baby. Kerstin has been consistently there for me and my most loyal friend. I’m so thankful God chose us as neighbors over 20 years ago.

Bonnie is one of those people that has an innate ability to make everyone feel like her best friend. She has a magnetic personality that draws people close to her, and she doesn't waste the opportunity to then tell you about Jesus...and then tell you about clean living:) When I first met Bonnie, I sat at her table at a Saturday morning women's church group where she brought the table Glazed & Infused donuts. I immediately knew we would be friends. In true hospitable Bonnie-fashion, she quickly started inviting me to other womens groups, dinner, coffee, etc., where I got to know and love her heart for people and the Lord, and her go-getter, bold personality as a mom, wife and savvy business woman. Every time I leave my chats with Bonnie, I'm continually reminded of my worth and my identity in Christ—a message I needed to hear as she walked with me through a very tough season of life. She knocked sense into me when I didn't have the strength to make hard decisions and coached me to listen to the Holy Spirit. And if you know Bonnie, you know that she doesn't sugarcoat anything which is one of her most endearing qualities and one of the reasons she is such a life-giving friend. She also is one of the most authentic people I've ever met—she courageously shares her struggles openly, doesn't ever pretend to be someone she's not and stays true to the woman God made her to be—and I truly admire her for that. Bonnie is another answer to prayer for me. A friend that makes me laugh so hard, challenges me with her blunt yet kind spirit, and inspires me to be a God-honoring future wife and mom. I'm so excited to walk married life beside her in the coming years!

On Day One of my very first job out of college in California, I was nervous and didn't know what I was getting myself into, but I should’ve known God had an exact plan for me—and that plan was sitting in the cubicle right next to me when I arrived. Aly was the energetic, welcoming co-worker/supervisor that trained me (and put up with my endless questions and ideas). I knew she was going to be someone special in my life when she started sharing her faith with me in the first few days of knowing her. She also immediately made me feel like I belonged, like I was part of the team and valued. We bonded over our love of celebrating nearly everything in life, so needless to say, we had a ton of fun together too. She loved to bake. I loved to eat. She loved to nurture. I needed nurturing (since I was far from family). I loved to be silly and fun. She was always up for the next adventure. Like I said, God had a plan for me at that job:) I learned so much from Aly those first couple years of my career about work ethic, creativity and business culture, but what changed my life is everything I learned from her since then. Throughout the past decade, we’ve been through many seasons of life together, and through it all, Aly has taught me most about being a good friend. A loyal friend. A trust worthy friend. And an accountable friend. I know that Aly will always challenge me to grow in my knowledge and relationship with God, remind me to whom I belong, and bring out the crazy, silly, fun person God has made me to be. Aly has played a big role in preparing me to be a Godly wife, and I'm so glad the wedding day is almost here.

I was immediately drawn to Bethany because of our like-minded approach on sharing our opinions...regardless if others want to hear it;) Bethany is my most opinionated and out-spoken friend, and I love her dearly for that. She uses her voice to stand up for injustices, talk boldly about Jesus and speak truth into her family and friends lives. We first met on the blue "OooWee" team at SLAM (inner city youth ministry) where the fierce competitors inside of us battled to ensure victory at every game of dodge ball and steal the flag...for the kids, of course. While we built our friendship, we found ourselves in similar dating situations where we couldn't be the person and personality God had created us to be—strong, bold, fun, silly, redeemed and joyful women of God. As we both struggled to find our voice in our dating relationships, God worked through our friendship to help one another navigate what God wanted for our lives. Once again, Bethany was an answer to prayer when I asked for amazing Christian friends in Chicago. When Bethany first told me she was moving to Washington D.C. a few years later, I was, of course, heart broken, but I knew that our friendship was not over—she's the kind of friend you want for life. I think we would both agree that we became even closer after her move—between our phone dates, marathon training, many visits back and forth, inaugural balls, boy breakups and funny dating stories, God has kept us close...and I'm so thankful for that. In less than 6 months, both of us will stand next to each other as we marry men that we've prayed and hoped for through many tears and laughter. This is just the beginning of so many more milestones together.

When I first met Katie on a co-ed church kickball team, we were both in a season of life where God was completely wrecking us—in the best way. We both were surrendering more towards God and away from living double lives (the "prayer by day and party by night" double life). I had been praying for God to bring fun Chicago Christian friends into my life that would challenge me and help me grow in faith. Katie was one of those answers to prayer. I continued to cross paths with Katie at church, kickball and SLAM (inner city youth ministry)—and we began a lifelong friendship. We've walked with each other through some of the most tough decisions, encouraged one another when we were fearful of the future, and have been a safe place to vent for each other. Also, Katie is one of those friends that you get uncontrollable giggles with at the worst times possible over the stupidest stuff—those kinds of friends are keepers. Our shared wanderlust and need for spontaneous fun in our lives led us on a trip of a lifetime to Thailand and Tokyo that involved robot dancing in the street with local Japanese teenagers, a crazy tour guide named "Sexy Billy" and a bout tour that we probably should've died on. Katie is one of the most fun and authentic people I know, and walking life with her has been an adventure and such a blessing. She is one of the most tender-hearted people with an unmatched drive and passion for life and success. We push each other to be better friends, daughters, sisters, coworkers and leaders. I'm so thankful that God brought her into my life and answered my prayers.

God's creativity in weaving together our life stories amazes me, and the story of Kaitlin, Kyle and me is a testament to that. Here's what I mean: I knew Kaitlin Tofilon (maiden name) from our Fremd High School church house group—she was 2 years older than me and much cooler than I was. Every Monday before school, Fremd high schoolers from youth group would meet at her house for cinnamon rolls and prayer (and let's be honest, I got up that early for Mrs. Tofilon's (Charlotte) cinnamon rolls). I was never friends with Kaitlin, in fact, I'm not even sure she knew my name (see above comment about not being as cool). Kaitlin and I had alot of mutual friends from church including her sister-in-law, Vanessa, who was my small group leader in high school— one of the most impactful people in my life. After Fremd years, we remained "Facebook friends." Fast forward 12+ years, and I meet this amazing man (an only child growing up) who tells me about a cousin he considers a "sister" named Kaitlin...Tofilon/Sternberg. Wait, what? I'm pretty sure my jaw dropped. I realized at that moment that God 's orchestration of my marriage started long before I even met Kyle. (And for the record, I'll forever blame Kaitlin and Vanessa for not introducing me to their HOT cousin earlier in life;) ) As I got to know Kyle more, I saw the sibling-like bond that he had with Kaitlin—ever since they were little, they were inseparable. I've heard they would have hour long pillow fights, and they would play ninjas until their parents would separate them. As I continue to build my own friendship with Kaitlin, it's no surprise why Kyle loves her so much—and I couldn’t walk down the aisle without her by OUR side.