Ashley is my niece, friend, planner of fun and always up for doing fun girly things. (I'm a mom of 3 great boys, but I am so very girly!) Since I am a teacher in the inner city I have found Ashley's knowledge of the younger crowd invaluable - helping me stay up to date with teenagers and knowing what is cool and what is not! Ashley has lived in Pasadena, California the last 5 years and I have missed her dearly! I am so thrilled she has moved back to Ohio and lives close again! Ashley has helped with planning the wedding and I am so grateful for her and that she has a part in our special day.

Azizi is a dear friend and neighbor that only lives 3 doors down from my house! We both are "boy" moms and we both have a son named ZANE! The last few years Azizi and I have grown very close. Walking and talking in the neighborhood or sitting on my front porch sharing life. I am so lucky to have such a positive friend full of wisdom and fun that lives so close. She was there in the early days of Dan and I dating and she has been a big Dan fan. Always good to have an honest friend that walks beside you in the journey of life.

Sara is a neighbor that lives 6 houses down. She has been such an encouragement since she moved in almost 10 years ago. Im so grateful for her friendship and her faith that is a constant encouragement to me. I have to mention all the parties Sara has attended at my house. Girls Christmas parties, Cinco de Mayo parties, Easter, Thanksgiving neighborhood Friendsgiving, New Years eve Party, Birthday parties, Halloween parties and many more. Sara has two boys and even though they are much younger than mine we have done a lot together. Taken our boys Strawberry picking, flown kites on the street during Covid, played basketball together and draw chalk drawings. Sara is someone who's faith in God is really beautiful. She never judges and is always so refreshing to talk to. She is such an encouragement and she is always there when I need her. She and her husband Derrick were such an encouragement to me as well. They really are best friends and really love each other. It always gave me hope, if there are a few really healthy relationships like theirs there is hope for us all! Lately, Sara and Derrick have been cooking with her sons and I am invited to try a new dish! I am grateful for Sara's wisdom too. She is such a great friend to walk and talk and get advice how to wisely handle a situation. Im a lucky neighbor!

I met Connie at a group called Celebrate Recovery. A wonderful support group at a church nearby. Connie is sunshine and roses. She is a mentor and a friend and she truly understands when I start speaking in metaphors. She is such a beautiful Jesus lover. You can tell her anything and she will not judge you at all. And if you have something that is deeply bothering you she will faithfully pray. Connie has been a friend that has helped me grow. I can have the deepest conversations with her. She truly is someone you can call and talk about anything. Connie has a beautiful peaceful lake house on Indian Lake that is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. It is a little slice of heaven. She graciously let me take the boys there last summer. It was such a wonderful peaceful time. Alex was still fighting cancer and he was so happy drinking coffee right by the gorgeous lake. Connie has the youngest heart I know. And she LOVES to dance! I am so glad she accepted to be in my wedding.

So I met Wendy at Crossroads Church Mom's Group. She has three girls and I have three boys! Wendy is that friend that really loves your kids. I am so grateful she does. We actually went to the beach with our kids and it was really fun! Wendy and her family love games and we do too! We got really close when our youngest kids Roey and Zane were going into 7th grade. She asked if I wanted to walk at a local park. Our babies were growing up too fast! Wendy is a great walking and talking friend that never judges you. She is the most patient mom I think I have ever met and she loves her kids with all her heart. You dont have to parent long to understand it is really hard sometimes. But having a friend like Wendy, no matter what you tell her, she loves your children just the same. Greatful for such a friend that will prayer for your own kids as fervently and lovingly as she prayers for her own.

So Donna and I go wayyyyyy back, like 30 years. I met her at church when I lived in North Carolina before Alex was born. She and I found ourselves alone in life and very young single moms. Somehow we found love and fun and friendship in one of my darkest times. We both tried to "do things in the right order" as we were taught to, married and then divorced, we found ourselves alone, but then I think God brought us together. Donna's friendship during one of the darkest times in my life, when I was so young, was like sunshine in the dark and brought such friendship, love and hope. Iron sharpens iron and we learned to be good young mommas together. Putting our kids first and rising to the occasion to parent the best we knew how. We have stayed in touch over the years and when we get together it is like no time has passed at all. When I look back in life, I am so grateful God sent me Donna. I sure needed her. Girl friendships can lift you and encourage you and fill you with the courage to do things you never thought you could.