As we are both beginners, I'm sure there are a ton of very bad plays made on both sides in this game, but I would appreciate any advice anyone could give. We have found in the past that about 4 handicap stones tends to give us a close game.

This was a pretty slow game (45 minutes each side, and I added time for my friend a couple times so they wouldn't feel rushed) and it felt like a close game.

I've removed the chat, and replaced it with my thoughts as I played many of the moves.

Continue to play. Try to finish 100 games as quickly as you can (9x9, 13x13, or 19x19 all OK).
Post a game here for review every once in a while. Good luck!

Thank you very much for the review!