Once upon a time, I met what I could only describe as a spicy stranger.

That spicy stranger turned out to be Alex. Bold, hilarious, and honest to a fault. She had this fiery side that felt a little like stepping into the sun. But over time, Alex is finding balance between sweet and spicy, and somehow, we discovered we had pretty much the same sense of humor, interests, and even hobbies. Which, for me, is like finding a four-leaf clover in a desert.

I’m a wedding photographer, which means hours of editing—just me, my computer, and Snapple to keep my awake. Enter Alex. We started FaceTiming to pass the time, and next thing I know, half my workday is spent with her on the other end of the line. Sometimes we’d chat endlessly, and other times we’d just sit in comfortable silence until one of us said something ridiculous. It was like having a built-in comedy show, but with the best kind of friend. And the more time we spent together, the more I realized how crazy talented she is. Seriously, Alex can paint, draw, design, and cook like she’s got a magic wand or something. Her food? Don’t get me started—it’s like every meal is a hug for your soul.

So, we did the only logical thing: we decided to start a podcast and sell our art. Because why not turn all those FaceTime chats into something real? We’re basically living out our best friend and creative partner dreams, one episode and one art piece at a time.

The first time I met Holly, I wasn't sure what to expect. She walked into my life quietly, her warm smile and calm demeanor making her presence almost too easy to overlook at first. But it didn’t take long for me to realize how much depth she carried in her subtle ways.

Holly, with her patience and gentle humor, quickly became someone I deeply admired. It wasn’t just her ability to be kind in the most frustrating situations—though that was impressive enough—but it was the way she did it without any hint of effort. She had a calmness about her, a quiet strength that somehow balanced out my more restless energy.

Our bond grew as I started cooking for her. Watching her try new dishes, savoring the flavors with genuine appreciation, became one of my favorite moments. Her delight in something as simple as a shared meal showed me how much joy can come from the little things. Every laugh we shared, every conversation over a plate of food, solidified our friendship.

Now, Holly isn’t just my sister-in-law. She’s my best friend. Life feels fuller, brighter, and all the more balanced with her in it. It’s funny how sometimes the most underrated people turn out to be the ones who make everything better. And for me, that person is Holly.