Ashley and I have been best friends since the day she was born, but she is simply my family as well. She's the best party host, and always the first to offer a helping hand. We've shared countless memories through our 37 years- and while I've never won any of our running races, we've have always had each others back, and will continue to grow old and grey together just as we planned when we were little girls.

Lisa and I just "clicked" when we met at the beginning of college and our friendship continues to be closer as the years go on. Her strong will is second to none, with a zest for life that is admirable. She's my best confidant, and world travel partner. There's not many people in this world who will jump off a huge mountain top with you short notice, but if I ever do it again, I know who to call.

Lucy and I have been best friends since kindergarten. From childhood summer days, to family vacations, endless sports games, and late college nights, we've always had the easiest friendship. She's the perfect balance of competitive spirit and relaxed demeanor, and keeps me enjoying the simple things in life.

Annie and I have been friends since the beginning of college. Her fun-loving spirit will light up any room, and our friendship is truly the definition of "laughing until it hurts". We've lived apart most of our adult lives, but always catch up right where we left off, usually to the beat of a country tune and with good glass of wine.

Sarah and I met at the beginning of college. We were sorority sisters, and then lived in the same apartment complex during our post college years. We supported each other's career beginnings (she is the BEST teacher), and looked forward to sharing fun-filled weekends. She is the most patient, the greatest listener, and is always the best example for how to keep it classy while still adding a little flare.

Lauren and I met in middle school. We've shared track meets, late college nights, bartending in a remote Australian gold mining town (Lucy too), and so much more. She is an independent spirit but always knows her way back home. We've supported each other through the hard moments in life, and have laughed our way through the rest.

Janell is my sister-in-law (married to my brother Tyson), and it's been a joy to have her in our family. She's a talented speech therapist, the best cook, always loyal to our OSU Beavers, and has brought the most perfect 3 nephews into my world. I look to her as a source of advice, and am lucky to have a sister who is also a friend.

Michael ("Kuda") and I met at the beginning of middle school. He's been my biology partner, first dance date, powder puff coach, travel and holiday buddy, blazer ticket sharer, and the saver of my smile after a major accident. He has the biggest heart and selfless work this to match. His friendship is forever loyal .

Delaney is Ashley's first daughter. When I was lucky enough to hold her the night she was born, I remember thinking what a perfect and unique person my best friend and her husband had brought into this world. She is so spunky, so loving, every Disney princess' best fan, and is a complete joy to have in my life.

My Father. A veteran of the Navy, he's flown helicopters in Vietnam, served many years as a pastor and worked as an engineer. You wouldn't know details of these endeavors because he's a man of few words (but please ask him when you meet him :) ). He was my coach for numerous sports teams, my shuttle to and from countless practices, and sacrificed what probably felt like years of his life through terrible weather to watch me compete. A humble mentor for my entire life and now I have the honor of having him as my best man.

My Brother.  He specialized in training me to be a much tougher version of myself, either through wedgies as a child or taking batting practice shots to the gut. Our childhood pastimes included highly competitive wiffleball games in our backyard and inventing games/activities that resulted in broken windows and doors in our house. Growing up he was that protective older brother that even let his bratty younger brother tag along with the older kids. We no longer wrestle over the last bowl of Coco Puffs cereal but he's still that person that I can sit with and say nothing at all but I feel restored by that time spent together.

Lifelong friend. John and I met in middle school and quickly became friends through various sports teams. I've always been drawn to John's relentless energy for life experiences. John, Ryan and I shared hours of laughs and getting outside to experience the best that the northwest has to offer through fishing, hiking and biking. He's stayed true to that as an avid fisherman and hunter. Still waiting for that hunting trip, John.

Lifelong friend. One of my first memories of Ryan was of him flicking my ear while he was sitting behind me in an elementary school choir class. I've often described him as a person that you will get to know a lot about from the first moment you meet him. Although our first encounter was memorable for all the wrong reasons, we bonded together over many years of playing sports, carpooling to and from school and many summer adventures from boating, hiking or finding a swimming hole to hang out for the day.

Friend and Boston sports homer. We became friends through work and as Noah was well established in the same group I could tell we could be friends just by the fact that our department meeting had a standing meeting agenda called "Noah's Movie Reviews and Jokes". We've remained friends even though we no longer work together as we regularly discuss, argue and debate over politics, religion and how the AL East is one of the weakest divisions every year. We've attended many country concerts and stayed up late playing board games with friends.

Brother-in-law to be. Brent's laid back but talkative nature has made me feel welcomed from very early on in meeting the Wismer family. We're fortunate enough to live close to one another and can easily meet up for a cold beverage or catch a match at Providence Park. I expect that we'll soon expand our travels to other sporting events in the near future and with his jovial nature and impressive random sports trivia knowledge, I'd expect that to be a regular event for us.

Brother-in-law to be. As a busy father of 3 extremely active boys, and a busy work travel schedule, Tyson and I have had to build our friendship in between his children talking me into another game of basketball, wiffleball, or whatever is the other athletic challenge of the day. It's also been a wonderful time getting to know him through family events but also learning about him as a parent (Janell too) through the sweet nature of his children. As his boys outgrow me, I look forward to spending more time with Tyson for years to come.

Henry is my soon-to-be nephew, and is the youngest of the immediate Wismer family. He does a great job keeping up with his older brothers, with an energy and competitive spirit that makes the whole room smile. He thinks I'm good at basketball, and I'll let him believe that for now.