I met Alexis in high school through a mutual friend, Amy. We planned to meet before her birthday party started so we could sit together. In true Lex fashion, she was late and burned herself on the fajita plate immediately after being warned it was hot. I knew exactly what I was getting into that day, and we have been best friends since. She has been by my side through it all. We have been best friends for a decade now, and I am lucky to see her every day at work.

I met Garcia when he transferred to my unit in Beaufort, SC. I arrived to work a little early because I knew I was getting new marines, and when I saw Garcia and started briefing him on what he can do to succeed in this unit and in the Marine Corps as if he was a fresh Marine out of boot camp. I later realized he had a green belt so he wasn’t a new Marine, but he sat there and listened to my spiel without saying a word. I took him under my wing because he was a good guy and the rest is history.

I know Jess because I grew up with her husband, Mike! When they began dating, he told me I would love her so I followed her on social media, leading us to quickly become friends. From going to their wedding, forcing her to have a baby shower, and even being there to meet Brooklyn the day she was born I am so honored to be a part of it all. I love getting to love on the sweetest kiddos ever, thanks to you!

Arteaga and I met when he got stationed in Beaufort as a new Marine fresh out of the school house. Having already known Garcia from training, the three of us became the three musketeers of Parris Island. I am thankful for all the memories made taking turns driving to work and too many Waffle House visits to count.

I met Ashlyn at The University of Alabama (Roll Tide Forever)! We met through mutual dog friends, and I fell in love with her dogs as quickly as she fell in love with Scooby. From Wine Wednesdays, being Scooby's trainer, traveling the southeastern United States for dog sports together, and lazy Love Island marathons, I know we will have fun doing anything.

Zack has been in my life for as long as I can remember. From longboard rides in the morning to the bus stop to video games all night, there is nothing but fond memories between us. Now we work together at the ass crack of dawn restocking shelves because we hate talking to people.

Emma and I met on our favorite side of the internet, dog instagram! I followed her sister Olivia for a while, direct messaging back and forth, and one day saw she posted with Emma. I quickly followed Emma and we started direct messaging immediately as well. After Emma moved across the country from Washington to North Carolina she came to visit me so we could meet in person! While visiting me in Alabama she helped me pack up for my move to Florida, and later came to Florida to help me unpack. Grateful for dogstagram bringing me Emma!

Big Dalton and I met when he got transferred from his job to mine. Dalton wasn’t a Military Police Officer out of bootcamp but ended up training and being part of our Fleet Assistance Program (FAP) where he was assigned to my unit for a few months. Dalton and I became friends pretty much immediately. I guided him on how to be a great MP and he excelled. I will never forget the memories made in the middle of the night in Atago Hills.