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Lisa couldn't have gotten where she is today without the two most important people in her life, her mom and dad. Clif and Gigi always knew the right answer to any problem Lisa had and she knew that no matter what she did (good or bad) they would always be there for her. She not only thinks of them as her parents, but now, also her friends.
Gigi is so much fun to be with! She is always optimistic about life and it's catchy. Her laughter and smile can light up a room. Gigi would do anything for her daughters and that makes them feel incredibly safe and loved. Clif and Lisa have really bonded during the past few years. They are business partners as well as father and daughter. Clif has a wonderful perspective on life and Lisa has learned so much from him. Both Clif and Gigi have been an incredible support system for Lisa while she started her own business. Their expertise and foresight have kept Lisa plugging along during some of the rocky first-year experiences. It's hard for Lisa to put into words how much her parents mean to her - there would never be enough room.
Lisa and Becca have been the best of friends since they carpooled together to the U of M, Morris to register for college. From that moment, they've been inseparable. During college, if they weren't hanging out together, people thought something was wrong. When they left college they were worried that their friendship wouldn't be as strong, but it hasn't changed much. Becca is the first person Lisa thinks of calling when things are great, horrible, or just plain silly! Becca's realistic outlook on life, her always-pertinent advice, and her sarcastic humor are things Lisa truly treasures in her. All in all, Lisa couldn't ask for a better friend in Becca. She has been there for her through thick and thin, and there is no doubt they will be friends forever.
"Lynn" and Lisa are an unusual set of sisters because ever since they can remember, they've loved hanging out together! They didn't fight much when they were kids, and when Becky went away to college Lisa felt like she had lost her other half. They have so many memories together it's hard to separate them out. Lisa remembers most playing cards with Becky, swimming at the lake in the summers, singing in the car, making cookies while mom and dad were gone, dancing, and so much more. Now that they're older, they still depend on each other like they did when they were kids. Lisa looks up to Becky's love of life, her "unique" yet adorable dancing style and is always awed by the fact that Becky knows the words to every song! Lisa feels so fortunate to call Becky a perfect sister as well as a perfect friend.
Alix and Lisa have known each other since Junior High. They were choir "rivals" and didn't realize until 10th grade that they were also meant to be great friends. In high school, Alix and Lisa's interests landed them in many of the same clubs and in the same group of friends. Lisa remembers parties at Drew's house, singing to Cranberries, sneaking out in the middle of the night (just to say they had done it) and dinners at Christo's with Alix's mom. When Alix and Lisa were juniors in college, Alix spent a semester in Spain and Lisa in England. They met up with each other after their semesters and traveled around Europe to see 17 cities in 32 days. It was a great bonding experience (they didn't even fight!) and a true life-changing adventure. Lisa values Alix's laughter, honesty, and intellect. She is so lucky to call Alix one of her best friends!
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Lisa is one of Ashley's godmothers, along with Becky Vik. Ever since little Ashley entered the world, she has been a special girl in Lisa's life. Lisa and Becky have taken Ashley on an annual Christmas venture for many years. Ashley especially loves to play the "license game". The girls have had great times at Memorial Weekend, babysitting weekends, dance recitals, and much more. Lisa feels very fortunate to have such a talented, smart, beautiful and fun god-child!
Teresa Carlson is Lisa's cousin. Their lives seem intertwined in every way. When Lisa and Becky were younger, Teresa was their nanny. She was so much fun! Teresa taught them how to make butter noodles, the words to all the great 80s songs, and brought them to swim at Tom and Diana's pool. Ever since then the bond has grown even stronger. Teresa has been a great influence for Lisa in starting her own business. Carlson Building Services is The Image Author's best customer, and Teresa has been there every step of the way encouraging and helping Lisa. Teresa and her husband Dave are truly special, wonderful people and Lisa feels incredibly fortunate to be able to spend so much time with them and their children.
Alayna Carlson is the youngest of the Carlson family. She is a darling girl with a lot of spunk. Alayna has a heart of gold and seems to be good at everything! Lisa looks forward to watching Alayna grow up into the wonderful young woman she knows she will be.
During Lisa's first year at college, she joined the Big Friend Little Friend program. Dani Staples was the 2nd grader that Lisa was paired with. They've been friends ever since. Dani and Lisa had so much fun hanging out! They played cards, watched movies, went camping, played pranks on the boys, swam at the Morris pool, made cookies, and so much more. Dani wasn't afraid to speak her mind or to make a fool of herself! Now Dani has turned into an energetic, intelligent, sassy young lady and Lisa is so happy that she has helped shape Dani into the person she is today. Lisa hopes that Dani and she will be friends for many years to come!
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Bryon wouldn't be the man he is without his parents expert guidance. Bryon couldn't have wished for two better influences on his life. As with his brother, the older he has gotten the better friends they have become. Bryon doesn't just see them as Mom and Dad anymore, but as friends as well. They have both just recently retired and moved up north to the lake. This was a huge change for Bryon, as this was their first move in his lifetime. Being able to just cruise out to the folk's house and say hi isn't a real option anymore. Even though, they are doing a good job of staying in touch and seeing each other. Bob and Sheila are living the dream of summers at the lake and winters in the sun. Bryon couldn't be happier for them.
Ben and Bryon have been friends since meeting the first day of college. They played soccer all four years at Gustavus together. Ben is the man responsible for introducing Bryon to rugby. After living together their senior year of college, they lived together in Minneapolis for a couple years until Ben married his lovely wife, Sarah. Ben and Sarah are living in Grand Marais, MN. They just had their first child, Andrew, who Bryon was lucky enough to be with the day he was born. Nowadays, you can usually find Ben and Bryon on the golf course.
Bryon and Ryan have been best friends since the 7th grade where they probably met in choir class. They were practically inseparable throughout high school. Where ever you found Ryan, you found Bryon. They did everything together, well, except the one tennis game their senior year when they were able to play doubles together but Bryon was sick and threw up on the court. After Ryan graduated from college at UM-Morris, they lived together in Uptown for awhile. Ryan soon got married to his charming wife, Laura. They also have a son, Ben Johnson, who is 2 1/2. Unfortunately, they have been living far away in Pennsylvania for 2 years now.
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Michael is one of Bryon's best buds. They initially met playing soccer at Gustavus, but became friends through rugby there. Michael has been a driving force in everything Bryon does. He always has great advice for all of life's situations. They have been playing rugby together for Metropolis now for 5 years. They bought a house together in Northeast Minneapolis and lived there for two years until their love for their ladies took over. Lisa moved in with Bryon and Michael moved in with his lovely fiancee, Kristen. Michael and Kristen are getting married this New Year's Eve! Michael and Bryon are always together be it playing video games, throwing the ball around, or causing trouble out on the town.
Where does Bryon start with Ross? Growing up with his little bro was definitely an experience! They fought pretty much every minute they were together until high school. Some in good fun, some not, but they mostly just kept each other busy. Bryon wouldn't trade back a moment. The older they have gotten, the better friends they have become. Ross went to the same college as Bryon so they got to spend a good year together there, with Bryon getting to show Ross the ropes and get him headed in the right direction. Ross is living in Edina with a few of his buds and he is the manager of Sun Dog Trading Company in Uptown.
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