The saying states that having siblings, especially sisters, are built in playmates and your first friends even if you don't realize it while you are young.  That statement never holds more true from the memories I have with my sisters. 

From a young age, Stephanie and I were always trying to see just how far we could push it.  From trying to convince Dad that we needed to have hot chocolate and french fries at the ski lodge to warm up to driving the Alfa on the way to Florida to jumping into a reggea band in Aruba, she has always had my back and sometimes my math homework (hehehe).  As we have grown older and moved further apart, our bond of sisters and friends has only grown closer as we work through our adult lives.

The role of a big sister is to watch out for you, teach you, and guide you through the ropes of childhood, Jen was all that and more.  Whether we were shopping through the cabinets for a trip, trying to sneak treats from Mom and Dad's marriage encounter meetings, or making sure I could point to something and have it without ever saying a word, Jen has always had my back and embraced my unique style. 

During my time as a travel nurse I encountered many people who have influenced my life, but none like Robin.  Traveling as a New England sports fan is not always easy, but while working at my first travel assignment in Seattle wearing my red sox scrubs, I found my partner in crime for every sox’s game @ Safeco.  From country concerts, trips to white sandy beaches, dance nights with the girls, celebrating happy occasions, and dealing with the inevitable losses that occur in life, she has become a trusted and reliable confidant in my life.  Over the last 5-6 years, Robin, along with her husband Byrce, have become part of my west coast family.   

You always need someone in your life who can enjoy silly things like Minions and the Smurfs, survive a 13 hour road trip maintaining at least 1% of our sanity, appreciate your deep love of shoes, and understand what really matters in life no matter how big or small.  Enter Maggie when 5 years ago she started her role as a nurse practicitioner at the same hospital as I worked.  Over the years, our friendship has grown into something I rely for a confidant, instigator (all in good fun), supportive friend and another important part of my west coast family along with her fiance, Chris. 

Stephen and I met in graduate school and immediately we bonded over the ‘rigors’ of academia and our shared passion for college basketball. Often times we would find ourselves on the opposite side of the Tobacco Road rivalry but nonetheless, we became close friends. Stephen is the kind of friend that I know when I need to turn to someone for advice or help, he will be there for me no questions asked. I also know he’ll have my back on long roadtrips when I’m looking for a co-pilot or a partner in crime.

Rob and I got to know each other as new students at Wamego High in 1996. We were both assigned to the same homeroom and we had a chance to get to know each other over intense rounds of Mac golf. The loud mouthed, trash talking, red haired Southerner and I became great friends and he put up with my growing pains in adjusting to public school.  Without a doubt, it was Rob and his family that made my decision to leave Kansas for college the hardest because of how much I valued the times we had together.

Doug and I became roommates our Junior year at Duke and we developed a terrific dynamic from the start.  From playing retro video games like Intellivision to listening to Blue Oyster Cult and the Talking Heads, Doug was not one to have a dull moment in our room. As my closest friend in college, Doug helped me navigate through the good times and bad and put up with my OCD cleanliness for two years. Doug is also the person I am most thankful for convincing me to move to Seattle, as a visit to him after college helped me decide to move after I finished graduate school.

Bryce and I met through Allison's good friend Robin and our passion for baseball, fantasy football and music meant that we got along right away. We've bonded over rooting for baseball teams with difficult histories in recent years, Seattle and KC, and there is never a shortage of optimism for what each season will bring.  Bryce has become a great friend that I can chat with regarding just about anything. And when I need a partner in crime for hitting the dancefloor, I can always rely on Bryce to tag in and make sure we can keep it lively,