Hal and Laurie met in a creative writing class at Winthrop University. He submitted a story about sex to workshop, and it inspired Laurie to do the same, cementing their bond as they became the bad boys of the class. Since then, they have kept in touch, kindred spirits to the end, with the occasional meetup to destroy each other at air hockey (Hal is currently in the lead). Hal was the first person Laurie thought of after the proposal; he's always been there, through thick and thin. In thanks, Laurie will be putting him in a kilt.

(Dr.) Savannah and Laurie met through Thomas when Laurie joined their D&D group, and they quickly dominated with their combined prowess and penchant for destruction. Between cat pics and venting about life, Savannah and Laurie have become great friends, with Savannah being a wonderful, trusted support as Laurie slowly loses her mind in wedding planning. DM knows what trouble they'll get up to next, but it definitely should involve adding more enemies to Savannah's kill list — in character, that is.

Lauren and Laurie solidified their friendship when she and her now-husband Collin — Thomas' best friend and man — all celebrated in 2023 their nuptials in Las Vegas, sealed with $10 dollar ankle tattoos for them each the morning after. Lauren is a brilliant lawyer, wonderful partner, and a dazzling friend, and the two couples will surely end up neighbors and one day grow old together (then die on a double date, as per the legally binding contract).

Jenna and Laurie have known each other all their lives — comes with the territory of being the only girl cousins in the Hilburn family tree. As such, they've always stuck together. When Jenna got married, Laurie was happy to be her bridesmaid, and watching Jenna's journey into motherhood has been a joy (bet Ben and Evie are somewhere *right now* causing chaos). Now, Jenna joins Laurie's bridal party, the two supporting each other once again into this new phase of life.

Collin is Thomas' oldest friend, the two being close since they were 12 years old. They were workout partners and group project standards in high school, then later rock climbing partners in college. They've made a great effort to stay in touch through all of Thomas' travels and the complexities of adulthood.

Daniel was Thomas' random roommate in their freshman year of college at Oklahoma State and they basically stayed roommates throughout their four years of undergrad. Daniel introduced Thomas to many video games, movies, and leadership roles in student organizations on campus.

Thomas became friends with Tyler in their freshman year of college after fellow groomsman Daniel said, "Let's be friends with the guy who wears the Yoda backpack." Tyler and Thomas would go on to play significant roles in each other's lives, with Thomas officiating Tyler's wedding and Tyler providing some home space throughout Thomas' years of vagabond travels.

Rance and Thomas also met their freshman year at Oklahoma State through Best Man Collin (whom Rance knows as Tony). Rance and Thomas have stayed in touch since college through their shared love of Dungeons and Dragons, hosting games for each other and their friends online almost every week for the past 6 years.