Thank God my brother gave me a sister five years ago! Loren is one of my ultimate role models. Not only is she the smartest and wisest in the room, but also the most fun! Lolo has been there for me during my hardest and best times, keeping me sane, balanced, and/or laughing. One day, I hope to convince her to move back down the street from us again. Perhaps giving our niece and nephew some of their own farm animals or cousins will do the trick!

My middle school buddy turned best friend turned coworker. Working with my best friend for the past couple of years has been the most incredible opportunity. Jesse has always been the hardest worker I know, with a big smile and never complains, no matter the task! He got me into archery hunting and included me in his annual family hunting trip, where I saw him take down his first spike elk this year! He’s a great role model and father in my eyes!

Cousin Chels and I have grown closer with each passing year. She’s the kind of cousin who would (and did!) drive five hours from Arizona to Vegas to celebrate my 21st birthday—and who let my college girlfriends and me crash at her place, only for us to realize she could hang better than us! She's the one I'd want to out fish the boys with, gamble like Grandma Judy in Vegas, and one day navigate motherhood with!

I met this knucklehead in middle school who became a lifelong friend in high school and now a soon-to-be cousin-in-law. We’ve had countless crazy adventures and wild stories together, always filled with laughter and sometimes a little fear. You might recognize him as the lead dancer in our viral dance video from “K-Town Fab 4” or his long, luscious hair. Don’t dare him to chug his beer… because he will!

My absolute day one!!! We have navigated all stages of life together. From preschool to taking the bus together every day, we grew up inseparably just down the road from each other. She is my breath of fresh air, my best advice giver, and someone I admire greatly as a friend, mother, and role model! She is truly my handpicked sister, and I wouldn't be the person I am today without her! A special shout-out to my lifelong childhood best friend, who's been my rock since the beginning.

I never suspected the guy who showed up on a DR300 to join the dirtbike crew for a day of dirt riding in Mattawa would become such a pivotal friend. He’s consistently down for a last-minute round of golf or dirtbike ride. He is a hard worker, a blast to be around, and one of the most selfless people I know. He is always willing to lend a hand. He also has the most hole-in-ones out of anyone I know.

Michelle and I went to high school together, but we didn't become close until it clicked that we were going to the same college in California. We've experienced major transitions in life together, from the culture shock of moving out of state, missing family and our hometown, to no longer being able to skip work like we did classes in college. She's been my church buddy, cocktail hour companion, and afternoon coffee date. To this day, I would still bet on us being business partners to open our dream coffee shop.

A fraternity pledge class brother from WSU, where we lived together at the infamous “Stables” live-out for my senior year. This guy is the spontaneous world traveler who is always planning his next mountain biking, hiking, or scuba diving adventure in some foreign part of the world. Maybe, if we are lucky, he will settle down in the Tri-Cities once he’s satisfied with his world travels!

Jazz crashed my dorm on move-in day with leftover tacos in hand—and that’s how we became best friends! She’s my personal makeup artist, my personal therapist, and the shoulder I’ve leaned on through it all. Jazz is the friend who always has my back, tells it like it is, and molds best with my wild family. She’s the one who’ll make the trek from CA to WA without hesitation—and always inspires me to live life fully. I truly don’t know where I’d be without her!

My brotha from another mother since 1997. We’ve grown up together through so many early phases of life as my dad, Chris, and his mom, Gina, got together when we were young and later married. We’ve shared countless unforgettable memories, whether it was hide and seek with the neighbor boys, Ben and Ty. Or nightly bb wars while trying to sleep, and we even got our first 50cc dirt bikes on Christmas together. I’ve seen this man grow up from someone I frequently wanted to punch in the face for constantly pressing my buttons to a stud firefighter in Denver, I’m proud to call my brother.

Jazzy J and I have been friends since high school. Ever since my sophomore year, she has been my radiant, positive light and my go-to "yes" girl for every spontaneous adventure. From concerts and family sporting events to unforgettable party bus shenanigans, our friendship has consistently brought joy and laughter into my life. She will always feel like family to me!

How often do great neighbors come in pairs? Rarely! The bald neighbor with the cool Camaro has transformed into someone who brings endless laughter into my life. He stands out in a crowd with his contagious laugh and can brighten your mood just by being around him. At times, I’ve treated him like a little brother (sorry, Evan), but it takes more than a few dirtbike maintenance jokes to break his spirit.

Living with Cate and our summer abroad after studying in the Czech Republic was my favorite era! Together, we've traveled to Italy, Ireland, Paris, Portugal, Hungary, and Spain. She's also the only person who could persuade me to go to Coachella and the only other roommate who wanted a dog as badly as I did! Cate is the ultimate hype woman, a trusted sounding board, and the kind of loyal friend everyone wants in their corner. She will show up without being asked, go above and beyond on planning, and never turns down a good time!!!

Mikal’s oldest brother, and definitely the most responsible one of the Sanchez bunch. We met in high school through John, and some of my fondest memories with Levi always involved golfing. Every round was full of an absurd amount of laughter, calling ridiculous golf shots, and rarely executing them. If Levi starts requesting a walk-up song to the tee blocks, you know you’re in for a good time.

Our friendship is built on uncontrollable giggles and spontaneous adventures. She never lets me get into trouble alone! Katherine was always ready for my last-minute road trips in college, whether we were heading to Vegas with the Pikes, visiting Chelsea in Arizona, or seeing Grandma Judy in Palm Desert. Our stories are my favorite to tell!

I'm looking forward to one last visit in Chicago, but I’m counting down the days until she returns to the West Coast!

The middle Brother to Mikal, whom I also met in high school through John, but we spent most of our time together randomly in college when our paths would cross at a party! I always knew he was there when I heard “Is that a samurai?” and we’d proceed with shot gunning or chugging our beer. This animal is a true Coug through and through. He has always opened his doors and welcomed me like family, well before Mikal and I started dating.

Our Nashville Queen! Caitlin and I have been best friends since our sophomore year of college. When we lived in Pacific Beach, she was my morning walking buddy—rain or shine—my card shark, and an enthusiastic Sunday football fan! She is one of the hardest-working women I know and always puts others before herself. Her family and friends welcomed me with open arms, and that’s when I truly felt like San Diego had become my home. I will never forget crashing the family trip and all the memories we created at Mammoth Mountain.

Who started as the neighbor for my first house in Pasco, to a friend who’s always down for garage beers, and any truck, dirt bike, or jet ski repair. This man will always lend a hand and share a laugh! It will likely take us three times as long to fix anything than initially planned, but hey, who wants good times to end so quickly!

OUR DANCING QUEEN! Her laugh is contagious, and her moves are unbeatable! Sharing a room junior year at Mango Deck with Krista was filled with the best controlled chaos! She's the best girls-girl and will chat with you to stay awake from the entire drive from SoCal to Eastern WA! I knew after her 21st birthday wine tasting in Temecula, we would be wine buddies for life! 

Another fraternity pledge class brother, also known as “Swords” or “Swordsy,” held down the Stables live-out name well! Born on Cinco de Mayo, so you can guarantee he loves tequila (not as much as me), and we share a bond stronger than José Cuervo. We worked together in the trenches at Genie, where Swords got to tinker with robots and automation while I tried not to break the powder coating system. There isn’t much that will stop this guy from having a good time or achieving his goals. He didn’t let breaking his hand in the first 45 seconds of a mountain bike ride down Silver Mountain ruin his day!

My beautiful, spunky, and outgoing niece is truly the star of the show and my absolute greatest treasure. I love nothing more than watching Levi and Loren be parents and giving me the greatest gift of a built-in little bestie. She often brings me to joyful tears and makes me smile so much it hurts. Her cuteness will outshine us all, her screaming will make you giggle, the dance floor is all hers, and her smartness will knock your socks off. Team Mikal Mae & Robbie Mae forever.