Paula is Monica's sister. Since they were very little people would always confuse the ages between the two of them because Monica was taller, but younger. Monica and Paula's relationship is a mixture of love, being protective, and sometimes a lot of sass. These two don't look like sisters, but they sure do sound like sisters. Since childhood Monica has looked up to her sister and is always proud to announce, "that's Paula she's my sister", regardless if it's relevant to the conversation or not. The two of them have spent many years playing soccer together (while Monica warmed up the bench), showing heifers together, playing in Portuguese band, becoming teachers, and taking graduate classes together.

Jared is my loyal, loving brother. He has had my back since we were babies, and will always be there for me. People were always surprised to find out that we are brothers due to our different hair colors, but our handsomeness and sheer athletic talent make it easier to see. Jared works as an accountant for the Stanislaus county courts, follows baseball religiously, loves some good Italian food, and kicks serious butt at slowpitch softball.

Levi has been an incredibly loyal friend of mine since high school. We played saxophone together for several years in school, and I had the honor of playing saxophone for his wedding in Mexico 2 years ago. He is currently training to become a fireman in San Francisco, speaks fluent Spanish, and is learning Mandarin. He also loves to beat me in 1 on 1 basketball games and make me feel like a waste of height.

Becky has been Monica's dear friend since college while studying music together. They were in Young Adult Teams of Our Lady (YATOL) together and they worked in Ceres together as elementary music teachers. During work days that they weren't scheduled to teach, Monica and Becky would visit each other and help clean instruments, play duets, or they'd both try to play one instrument at the same time. Since Becky got married and moved back home to Tulare, Monica and Becky stay in touch by calling each other or driving to visit one another.

Robert has also been an incredibly loyal friend to me since high school. Robert even tried to learn saxophone to be more like Levi and I. His main instrument is the bass, which he studied at UOP conservatory of music. Robert works for Universal Music Group and reports to work every day at the Capital Records building in Hollywood. What a bum.

Lysandra and Monica have been friends since a very young age (elementary school). Monica has many fond memories growing up with Lysandra and teaching her how to do different things when she'd come over. As kids, Monica clearly remembers trying to teach Lysandra how to ride a bike and how to hit a ball with a bat. She also remembers running and screaming in the goat pen at Lysandra's dairy and taking rides in the golf cart while dodging calves. Monica will be calling Lysandra a sister-in-law when she ties the knot with her brother Michael in September.

Monica Machado has been a part of Monica's life since middle school. They loved doing scrap booking together and whatever arts and crafts they could get their hands on. In high school Monica Machado would even get second pineapple or peach servings for Monica because she loved them so much and felt too embarrassed to get a second serving herself. Throughout high school both Monica's spent so much time together that Monica was at the Machado house almost on a daily basis. Time there was spent swimming, cutting and gluing paper, dancing to Lady Gaga videos, eating pineapple, and who knows what else.

The Godfather. Nelson is not only a truly wonderful friend, but also my confirmation godfather when I was confirmed in the Catholic Church a few years ago. Nelson is studying to become a counselor at CSU Stanislaus. He and I worked together at In N Out in Turlock for several years, joking, peeling potatoes, and making the best French fry duo in the whole company.

Jessica is the queen of cookie making and putting on wine nights. She met Monica on a YATOL retreat while Monica was attempting to play volleyball. These two have been friends ever since and share memories making cookies together, and Monica going to wine nights with candy in hand. They currently are in Portuguese class together (I'm in it too) and spend their Monday nights reading, writing, and repeating Portuguese words.

Connor is a truly great friend that I met at CSU Stanislaus while studying music. We would always challenge each other to play things higher, faster, and cleaner. We also would challenge each other to drinking multiple trenta sized coffees in a single day. Connor is getting his master's degree in saxophone performance from Hartt conservatory in Hartford, CT. He won't be able to make it to the wedding due to his recent acceptance into the world renowned Glen Miller Orchestra.

Mike has made me feel like a brother since day one. Always offering car help, joking at family gatherings, or showing me a new toy of his, Mike has warmly welcomed me into the Silva family. He works at Hilmar cheese and has a passion for riding dirt bikes and fixing things.

Lizete became Monica's friend through YATOL (Young Adult Teams of Our Lady). They have been on the same team for years. When Monica and I first started dating and Monica was really concerned about my age, Lizete sat down with Monica and really encouraged her to go for it and said it didn't matter if I was younger. Lizete continues to be a part of Monica's life through YATOL, attending Monica's birthday parties, and holding her own crazy birthday parties.

Adam and I became friends in college at Stan State. He and I played in the jazz ensemble there. I also enjoyed the opportunity to play in several of his own bands. The first (and my favorite) was playing a miniature drum set in his folk band on a tour to Oregon. Since then, we have performed and recorded lots of music together, and spent good quality time playing Tekken 4. I kept referring to him as a groomsman at my bachelor party by accident, and as fate would have it, now he IS a groomsman.