Hmmm. Y'all better get together on your story. You say that "theory" is a higher standard that is not met by evolution while your buddies say that evolution is 'just a theory' indicating that 'theory' is a low standard of judgement. Which is it?
In this case it appears both definitions apply. One can understand evolution as having little scientific basis whether the word "theory" means "guess" or "scientific certitude." Hence "Theory of Evolution" is a misnomer, and, under common use of the word "theory," it is little more than one mental construct among many as a way of explaining reality.
In short, it's your story. You can tell it any way you want to. Just don't expect the rest of the world to call it "science." I don't expect the rest of the world to consider the biblical text of Genesis to be "science," either. But I certainly would consider its words to be worthy of consideration where matters beyond science are concerned.