Name: Kate Haenchen

Age: 26

Hometown: San Antonio, TX

Currently Lives: Lubbock, TX

What she’s up to: Kate is currently in the process of getting her doctorate in Interior Design while also working at Texas Tech University like a boss

10 things Kate can’t live without

Why I love her: Kate and I met on the first day of college at 8am in Architectural Delineation class.. which was a 4 hour long class. We also met again that night at Rush, so obviously we knew we were going to be life long friends. We’ve been best friends ever since! We suffered through Interior Design school together and spent our last free summer after college traveling together. We speak a language no one understands and color code every aspect of our lives with sharpies and highlighters. Also, if it wasn’t for Kate taking classes from Derek at Apple first, Catharine would have never met him.

Name: Crystal-FRESH Hernandez-Barrios

Age: 28

Hometown: Houston, TX

Currently Lives: Houston, TX

What she’s up to: Crystal is in the process of getting her Masters in Architecture at the University of Houston, while also working as a Project Manager at Tejas Interior Renovations, Inc.

10 things Crystal-FRESH can’t live without

Why I love her: Crystal and I also met through Derek on Halloween a few years ago when she was dressed as Lisa Simpson and painted yellow from head to toe. I still had no idea what she really looked like until we met up the next morning for coffee. Although they have never lived in the same city, whenever they are together it’s like no time has passed and they can pick up right where they left off. Also, she’s always there to get me through my work day via Facebook chat.

Name: Lauren Diliberto

Age: 33

Hometown: Houston, TX

Currently Lives: San Antonio, TX

What she’s up to: Lauren is currently working as an Architectural Intern for Don B. McDonald, while also planning a wedding of her own!

10 things Lauren can’t live without

Why I love her: We also met through Derek and hit it off immediately. She is fun loving and knows how to sport red lipstick with the best of them. Lauren has always been there with a hug, or a firm kick in the pants pep talk.. really whichever you need, she’s there to dose it out. We’re actually next door neighbors and Bikram yoga buddies, whenever the guys go out and ride their bicycles.

Name: Arlene Meyer

Age: 26

Hometown: Schertz, TX

Currently Lives: Austin, TX

What she’s up to: Arlene is currently finishing up nursing school while also working as an RN at St. David’s Medical Center

10 things Arlene can’t live without

Why I love her: Arlene and I also met in Interior Design school. Although we had already had a few classes together, we really bonded Junior Year while traveling to San Francisco together. We’ve had lots of crazy game nights, bubblegum chewing contests, inside jokes, and slumber parties. Arlene has always been there to give me her honest opinion with out sugar coating anything, which is why I love her so very much. She has now forgone Interior Design to pursue nursing and I’ve never seen anyone more in their element.

Name: Jessica Bristow

Age: 24

Hometown: San Antonio, TX

Currently Lives: New York, NY

What she’s up to: Jessica is currently finishing up her Masters in Architecture while working as an Architectural Intern in the big apple!

10 things Jessica can’t live without

Why I love her: Jessica and I met at work the summer that I first moved to San Antonio. She was always there interning during summer and winter breaks when not in school and we became work BFFs instantly. Lots of nights were spent venting about our crazy co-workers at the Flying Saucer, coffee dates with cockroaches, and movies in the park with homemade “picnics”. She doesn’t work with me anymore, but we’ve always kept in touch. We even almost sat next to Tony Parker together in a VIP lounge. Now if that’s not bonding I don’t know what is.