Jordan is Sydney’s twin sister and life-long built-in friend. From dance class to Girl Scouts to marching band, Sydney and Jordan spent most of their childhood side by side. They could always count on each other, but their relationship took on new depth when they went to separate colleges and began to see each other not just as sisters, but as chosen friends. Though Jordan lives in Minnesota and Sydney now lives in Michigan, they talk every day and remain closely connected.

One of Sydney’s favorite memories is flying to Michigan in October of their freshman year to surprise Jordan with a visit. Sydney still remembers how happy she felt seeing that Jordan had found such a wonderful circle of friends. She feels lucky to be part of that circle today, and even luckier to call Jordan her sister.

Faith and Sydney met through mutual friends in high school, but their friendship truly took off when they were assigned seats next to each other in senior-year history class. What started as a random seating chart decision quickly turned into constant laughter, inside jokes, shared playlists, and (with apologies to their teacher) many classroom distractions.

During summers home from college, they picked up right where they left off. Faith and Sydney could often be found watching movies (ask them about Narnia!), playing Lego Harry Potter to 100% completion, and making the most of every minute together. Faith is still one of the people who makes Sydney laugh the hardest, and she is grateful for her every single day.

Madeleine was Sydney’s first real friend in college: her assigned section leader in the Minnesota Color Guard. Madeleine and Sydney bonded instantly at guard camp, and only grew closer after. Since Sydney’s freshman dorm was far away from the football stadium, Madeleine offered up her sofa, saving Sydney from the pre-dawn commute. Before long, Madeleine’s apartment quickly became a spot to hang out, work on homework, and feel like Sydney had a home away from home.

Madeleine has also been there for some of Sydney’s more memorable rookie moments. On Sydney’s first day of marching band Spat Camp, she forgot all of her underwear and socks at home. Madeleine helped coordinate a hand off with Sydney’s parents (thank you, Mom!) and even lent Sydney a pair of her own socks when the band had to run through the soaking rain. Since that day, Madeleine has continued to be a steady and loving presence in Sydney’s life. 

CJ and Sydney met during Sydney’s sophomore year of college, when CJ joined the color guard. They became fast friends through marching band, but their friendship truly deepened the following year as COVID restrictions eased and it became easier to spend time together outside of rehearsal.

By Sydney’s senior year, they decided to move into an apartment together. Their friendship survived thin walls, unreliable WiFi, and the realities of sharing one bathroom. Sydney still misses seeing CJ’s face every morning before class and is so grateful for the season of life they shared under the same roof.

Kari and Sydney met in Ann Arbor after both moved to Michigan to follow their partners in the University of Michigan Chemical Engineering PhD program. While their similar circumstances first brought them together, Sydney quickly came to admire Kari’s openness, thoughtful listening, and the genuine care she brings to every interaction.

At a party one evening, Kari mentioned she wanted to learn how to knit. Sydney had recently picked the hobby back up, and before long, knitting lessons turned into regular reality TV nights and an easy, steady friendship. Kari and Sydney even share the same undergraduate major, one more layer of common ground in a friendship already full of it. Sydney is so thankful that a shared leap to a new state turned into such a meaningful friendship.