You know that friend that you have that seems like they've been their all you life, so much so that "sister" feels like an understatement? That's Yesi. We've been there for each other's ups, downs, highlights, and embarrassing moments all the same. You know what else she's taught me? Mexican cooking. I'm a true Mexican-in-training.

Being a professional photographer for over 7 years, and being our only choice for family photos (seriously, go check out Amanda Ratliff Photography), she had to be here. Beyond her professional skills, she's also been one of my best friends for countless years, and still puts up with me!

A person who started out as a coworker that I could bond with over the dumb and crazy things our kids would do, Shelly has been a rock and a very close friend for me in our personal and professional lives. We can talk for hours and lose track of time in an instant. We always pick up right where we left off regardless of our busy lives and she's always there when I needed. She's very quick witted and smart as a whip. You want a Movie Quote challenger? You've met your match.

Never has anyone brought me in to their family as quickly as Janeth did. What started out as my boyfriend's best friend's wife quickly became a very close friend. She has a huge and welcoming heart, and Janeth - I promise I'll figure out this line dancing thing eventually.... I know you keep trying!

If I make this a long, drawn out mushy gushy thing, it'll embarrass him... So let's continue. A guy that started out as my strongest competition for a role that I felt was mine for the taking, I'll never forget the feeling of leaving work that day watching his smiling, content self walking out knowing he had the role. Fast forward a bit, Forrest took my family in and welcomed us into his family. My folks may be half a country away, but I've now got an extended family right here thanks to him.

Oh Ryan... too many stories to count, so many years of laughs and brother moments. Between singing horribly out of tune together, fighting over the Game Boy on the trips to Huntsville, and having to deal with the fact that he was taller than me by the time he hit 5th grade (no, I'm not bitter), the years never changed our relationship. Any time we're back together, it's like we were never apart. Not everyone gets the chance to have a great brother that's always there.

Music, motorcycles, moves, jobs, games - I owe a lot of my life and career changes to Brandon. Had it not been for him taking an opportunity to move to Austin and invite me to come visit, I would not have had the career and the family I have now. Had it not been for the love of music we share, Laura would be forced to listen to me analyze the tones, timbres, harmonies and melodic phrases that make a song truly worth listening to. Since high school, Brandon has been a brother and one of my closest friends that will always be there.