Amy VanBurren | Maid of Honor

Amy and Natalie met in middle school and have been best friends ever since. They went through every teenage milestone together—graduating middle school, starting high school, and spending countless nights at Amy’s parents’ house. High School mornings at Amy's often began with buttered toast and the two of them walking to school arm in arm, laughing about everything and nothing. After school, they could usually be found at the skate park—watching the boys skateboard while running around the playground without a care in the world.

Amy’s family quickly became Natalie’s second family. So many evenings were spent around their dinner table, with Amy’s dad gently teasing Natalie to eat meat again during her vegetarian phase, and both girls trying (and often failing) to keep quiet while Amy’s mom slept before her night shift. Natalie will always cherish those moments—especially the simple ones, like standing in the laundry room, ironing Amy’s mom’s shirts and talking about life.

Even as the years passed and life took them to different states, their friendship never wavered. They visit each other multiple times a year, their families remain intertwined, and no matter how much time passes, they always pick up right where they left off.

Danielle Flynn | Matron Of Honor

Danielle and Natalie first met in preschool, but growing up in different cities meant they eventually went to separate elementary schools. Even so, Natalie never forgot about her childhood friend. Years later, when Facebook came along, Natalie searched for Danielle—and found her. They reconnected online, reminiscing about the good old days, though life kept them from meeting in person.

That changed one night at a house party, when they unexpectedly ran into each other and instantly recognized one another. From that moment on, they were inseparable—even though they attended rival high schools. They’d visit each other under the guise of being “friends from out of town,” spending school days together like they’d never missed a beat.

Eventually, they both moved to San Diego, became roommates, and even went to college together. Over the years, life took them in different directions—at one point, living in entirely different countries, thousands of miles apart—but their bond never wavered. No matter the distance, Danielle has always remained one of Natalie’s closest and lifelong best friends.

Kayla Hillman | Bridesmaid

Natalie and Kayla became best friends in high school when Natalie joined the color guard team. Kayla was the hilarious one—the life of the party on the team, and the one with all the inside jokes and an energy that drew everyone in.

From the moment they met, the two clicked instantly and were inseparable. Natalie was one of the few girls on the team with a car, and Kayla was one of the few with a pool—so after practices, the two could always be found either cruising around town for Del Taco runs or hanging out at Kayla’s house, eating, tanning by the pool, and blasting “American Boy” by Estelle and Kanye West.

After high school, they even worked together at the local bar, turning every shift into a mix of laughter, chaos, and inside jokes. 

Even as life took them through different cities, states, and chapters, their bond never faded. Kayla isn’t just a best friend—she’s become part of Natalie and Chris’s extended family, a core member of their desert crew, and truly, family for life.

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Kristina Wheeler | Bridesmaid

Kristina and Natalie met in college in San Diego and instantly clicked. They quickly realized how much they had in common—both loved to dance, spend time outdoors, share a similar sense of humor (and opinions on dating!), and most memorably, a mutual love of rum.

After about a year of friendship, Natalie, Kristina, and a group of girls decided to move into a house within walking distance of SDSU. That home became the backdrop for countless memories—rotating roommates, endless laughter, and stories that will be told for years to come.

After college, Kristina and Natalie moved to Pacific Beach together and continued to be roommates for many years. They experienced so many important life moments side by side—graduating college, landing their first jobs, big city moves, and the sweetest chapter of all: becoming dog moms. Now, their fur babies are best friends too!

Kristina was Natalie’s last roommate before moving in with Chris, and those years were filled with laughter, late-night talks, and countless after-work dinners with Chris at their place. Eventually, Kristina lovingly started referring to Natalie and Chris as “Mom and Dad”—a perfect reflection of the warmth, humor, and closeness they all share. Natalie will always cherish those memories and the friendship that made those final single years so special.

Ryleigh Hunter | Bridesmaid

Ryleigh and Natalie always thought they met in middle school. They clicked instantly and became best friends right away—basically attached at the hip from that moment on.

But a few years later, while Natalie was in high school flipping through an old family photo album, she found something surprising—a picture labeled “First slumber party with Ryleigh.” There they were, tiny little kids in pajamas, side by side— Ryleigh looked exactly the same in that photo as she did back then!

Turns out, they had actually been best friends long before middle school. Neither of them remembered it, but somehow life brought them back to each other—a full-circle friendship that was clearly meant to be.

Over the years, their bond has only grown stronger. Natalie and Ryleigh became next-door neighbors in Pacific Beach, sharing countless memories, sunsets, and early morning bike rides by the ocean.

Ryleigh has been there for Natalie through some of the toughest moments in her life. She’s shared her heart, her home, and her family—becoming more than just a best friend. She’s truly become her sister.