Siblings and Best Friends

How Wally and I became best friends and siblings:

I met Wally in 2001 at Juline's School of Dance. I was five years old. We would see each other around the dance studio and then late September early October we started rehearsals for The Nutcracker. This is when we started talking and hanging out. He always had fun with the kids during rehearsals and would make it fun. So from the time I was five until I was 13/14 we would really only hang out during Nutcracker time (September/October - December).

One year when we did Nutcracker at Modesto High School, Wally had found my mom and another mom backstage and asked them to help him with his quick change from Party Parent to Rat King. In 2007 when we moved to The Gallo Center for Nutcracker I would help Wally with his quick change. He wouldn't trust anyone else. Because when you have a quick change in a show you don't always have a lot of time and the person who you ask to help you better be ready and know exactly how to help you put your costume on!! It is no joke. I did this for 3 years straight and then for one more year when we were both in Central West Ballet Company together (2012). Back when we did Nutcracker at Modesto High School from 2001 - 2008 (this is when I was apart of it) for the first 2 years for sure I was scared of the Rat King even though I knew Wally was in the costume. Then after that I was ok and we had too much fun backstage. Well really Wally had too much fun and would sometimes get all of us involved. Nutcracker backstage at Gallo was just as fun with him. Sometimes after dress rehearsals and the shows were over when most eveyone went home some of us would goof of and slide down the hallway in our socks. During rehearsals and shows you never know what could happen, it was always new and exciting and crazy!!! :)

When I was 12 years old I gave Wally a letter after a show and I wanted him to know that he has been like a brother to me and the sibling I always wanted and never had. Since that day he has called me his little sister. He said that meant so much to him.

From then on we have done a lot together. He's been there for me and has taught me so much that Dad's teach their little girls but because I grew up without my dad he has been that for me. I joined Central West Ballet Company in July 2011, in January 2012 I turned 16 years old and Wally showed up to dance with cupcakes to celebrate my birthday, then in January 2017, Wally showed up to dance with a cake that had little bottles of hard alcohol in it for my 21st birthday. Also when I turned 21 he took me to BJs and I had my first shot with him. When I turned 22 we celebrated at his place and my cute nephew was there that year. For my 24th he took me out to breakfast. We enjoy celebrating our birthdays together.

The summer of 2014 about a week before I left for Utah State he took me on my first fishing trip and I learned how to fish, I even caught some. Then we brought them back home, skinned them, and then cooked them for dinner. I did not cook them I left that to Wally and his Dad. In 2016 he took me to the shooting range and taught me how to shoot a gun. That was an experience. I had a great time and thankful for all the experiences we have created and continue to create.

Hopefully this summer we will be able to go shooting more and get out on the lake more! I am ready for warmer weather and to enjoy these experiences now with Presley too. Becoming an Auntie in 2017 to Presley has been a dream come true and was only possible because Wally has been a wonderful, loving, caring, protective, encouraging, and supporting Sibling, Friend, and Dad figure in my life and has continued to want me to be apart of his life. His parents are also so so sweet and we love getting to see each other and hang out. Also I have been blessed to have the opportunity to be able to meet his 2 other brothers and his younger sister and have been able to connect with each other at birthday parties and what not. I have definitely gained another family.

We have had ups and downs as siblings as all do but we have never had a fight and we plan on never having one!! They say some people who come into your life at one point they stop being friends and they become family.

If you don't know there is a 16 year age gape between us but we get along with each other.

Now you have met my brother and how we became siblings and friends for life.

Thursday March 5th I went to Wally's to celebrate his Birthday wich was Friday March 6th.

Saturday March 7th, I went to my friend Katie's to celebrate Waylon turning ONE.

Sunday March 8th, Mom and I went to Dublin and then came home just a quick trip.

John 15:13

Proverbs 18:24

Happy Monday and Spring Forward!

Love,

Rhiannon