1. My dad is the most amazing person in the world. Every day as a child, I was told how beautiful I was, how proud he was of me, and smart I am. He still tells me those things every time I talk to him or see him. He believed in me before I did. My dad was invested in my education (PTA president many years) and me. He cooked dinner daily and was with us at the table almost every night. He did homework, projects, hair, shopping, everything. Daddy exposed me to everything in his reach; including a lot of outdoor things (I think he wanted a boy, lol). I really learned the value of having an active dad when I went to college and many people didn’t have a dad in their lives. I am grateful and blessed to have such an amazing man as my dad. 
2. My mom taught me what it was to be a loving mother, wife, and lady. As a child she was nurturing and loving; accepting of the person I was growing to be. She was aware of my insecurities and helped me to work through them. My mom taught me about manners, posture, tone and language, and how to dress for my body size. My mom supported my decisions to not play sports but to be in girl scouts, yearbook (in hs), and my 2 year affair with the saxophone. Exposure to the arts at a young age helped to develop my appreciation and understanding of the influence of the arts. My mom is a classy woman who balanced family, work, and herself. I learned, and am still learning, how to balance life from her. As an adult I appreciate her more (as most children do). I call on her for advice and sometimes just to talk. I understand the choices and sacrifices she made for me as child now that I am an adult. Although we are total opposites I love her and would not ask for anyone else.
3. Danielle and I have been friends for 18 years. We met when I moved into her neighborhood when I was 10 years old. Her mom Loretta Ford, made her come down to my house and introduce herself to me, hoping to ease my transition into the new neighborhood. Needless to say we have been friends ever since. She is one of the most caring, supportive, honest people I have ever met. She holds me accountable for my actions; she is my mirror, making me see the truth even when it hurts and my cheerleader. She will cry with you, yell at you, and fight for you. She is trustworthy, loving, caring, and sometimes mean, lol. She is truly one of my best friends, seeing me through every direction the wind blew me. She supported me and never judged. She helped me to love myself. She helped me to believe in myself. She taught me about friendship. Like she has always been to me, she is my supporter, cheerleader, mirror, voice or reason, and sister. I am blessed to have found an awesome friend; people like her are hard to come by.
4. My Aunt Yvette was one of the most fabulous people I have ever met. She was a plus size woman, like I was going to be, and she was “bad”!!! Her hair was always sharp, clothes were fly, makeup on point and she was always in a good mood. She enjoyed life to the max. Concerts, shows, dinner, the beach, camping, nothing stopped her from doing what she wanted to do. She was a big music fan, as I was growing to be, and I loved spending time with her. She was surrounded by loving friends and was always laughing. I learned confidence from her. I learned how to enjoy life and to focus on what made me happy not others. I learned it was ok for me to be plus and fabulous and that plus did not mean frump. She taught me never to let things get in the way from doing what I enjoyed. I miss her. I wish she was here during my college and adult life.
5. Mrs. Ford, Danielle's mom, (from above) is the mom everyone wanted to have as they were growing up. She was cool although we knew there was a line not to cross. She was the mom everyone told their business and secrets too. She was the mom that knew about the abortions, shoplifting, alcohol, boyfriends, sex, school problems etc. She never judged me or any of Danielle’s friends. Mrs. Ford and I became teachers on a team in the school we taught and she is still the same person to me as she was when I was 10 yrs old. When I having a hard time with things I talk to her and she helps me to work it out. Like my mom, she pushes me to be better and to make positive decisions. She had helped me to become the woman I am today.
