Julie and I have been best friends since early college days. She worked in financial aid and I worked in admissions. I convinced her to join my service sorority and then she was my little sister. After college, we were roommates for about 5 years before she met and married her husband, Guy. Julie teaches 4th grade and loves baseball.

Rynn and I were at Texas Wesleyan at the same time but never met. We met on the phone years later when I called her to ask about one of our applicants. She eventually took a job at UNTHSC and we became fast friends. She is my role model for becoming a wife and stepmother (I prefer the term "bonus mom") at this stage of life. Julie and Rynn had a chance to get to know each other last year when James was in the hospital. They're both big sports fans and figured out they have more in common with each other than with me!

Lizzy is James' beautiful 12 (almost 13)-year-old daughter. She is smart, funny,  incredibly artistic, and an awesome bowler. We have a great time together whether we're making pies or getting pedicures. She is a total girly girl with fabulous hair and an earring collection that is starting to rival mine!

Leslie is the middle of three sisters (I'm the baby). She is our family party girl. Whatever is happening, if Leslie is there, we're having fun. She's also the most creative of us with mad skills in sewing, flower arranging, and party planning. She's also the family caretaker and I know, in the past when I've been sick, she's the one I want taking care of me. While it's a little over the top for a 40-something bride to have 5 attendants, I couldn't imagine this day without both of my sisters by my side.

Sharon is my big sister. When she was a teenager, she took me everywhere with her. I was so upset when she left home because our mother wanted me to share a room with Leslie so I wouldn't be scared. She had no idea how scary that idea was to me! Sharon has always felt guilty for leaving me and I've used that to my advantage whenever possible, lol. She will always be my Sissy and I would not be the woman I am today without her.

Eryn is the only daughter of my only niece (not counting the lovely women my nephews have married). She's, in short, a hoot. She loves jewelry, tea parties, tutus, and animals. This picture is a couple of years old but it captures her spirit so well!

Bianca is my Goddaughter and a real Disney princess, if ever there was one. She is spunky and sweet. I don't see her nearly as often as I would like and, as young as she is, she has to be reminded who I am from time to time. The last time her mother whispered "She's your Godmother," you could see that she was thinking "fairy Godmother" as her pretty blue eyes lit up. Bianca and I share a birthday. When the doctor was scheduling her mom, Lori, to be induced, he asked "How's March 24th?" and Lori said, "Um, how's the 25th?" Best. Birthday. Present. Ever.

My dad passed away in 2001 and I miss him every day. The decision on who to have walk me down the aisle was not something I took lightly. In the end, we narrowed it down to two of my nephews, Tony and Todd.

Tony is my nephew that was closest to my father. Dad taught him carpentry and probably a fair amount of ornery-ness. He is very sentimental and one of the best men I know. I know that he will get me down the aisle, but I don't trust that he won't make me cry so...

...there's Todd. I can count on him to snap me out of a crying jag...I hope.

Todd is my nephew but he's really more like a little brother. He was stinking cute as a little boy running around the house in diapers, terrorizing the neighborhood, and waking me up in the morning by sticking his finger up my nose. (Here's hoping that won't happen on the wedding day!)

My Best Man is my father, Rich Johnson.  It’s funny to think that I actually debated picking my father; usually a brother or a best friend is the Best Man.  But, my father is THE definition of what a “Best Man” is.  He has been there for me my whole life.  He has shown me so much about what it means to be a man, father, son and husband.  If I turn out to be half the man he is; my life will have been a HUGE success.

My son Walter… my buddy.  Walter is such a cool little dude.  I don’t think there is a mean bone in his body.  He’s funny, kind hearted, a bit goofy, loving, and he’s a Tank!  I love spending time with him as much as I can, and if I was any good at video games, I’d probably spend a lot more time with him.  He enjoys playing baseball, camping, video games and hitting on the girls at school.

(Isn't this picture awesome?!) I only met Krystal a couple years while working in the IDT Unit.  She’s a very opinionated young woman, and she cracks me up.  It wasn’t long after she started working there that we became friends and she would always come in my office to complain…errh, I mean talk.   I wanted Krystal a part of my wedding because when I was going through hard times, she was one of the two people I could always come and talk to.  The best part is, she always took my side. 

My brother Tom is the older of my two younger brothers.  When I think of my brother Tom, all I can think of is how he has the best chance of ending up like our father.  He loves all his family and would do anything for them.  He’s smart, a hard worker, successful, and he’s an outstanding role model.  His two kids, Nicky and Russell will soon understand how fortunate they are, and I would bet his wife Becky already does.

My youngest brother Jerry has a large family…his wife, Melody, sons Alex and Josh, and daughters, Deja, Alicia, and Camryn.  He definitely has his hands full.  Rather, should I say, Melody has her hands full.  Jerry is as much of a sports nut as I am and we both enjoy going to games together.  Unfortunately, I think Jerry is most like me, sorry Jerry.