Well, hello there! It’s me, Tina, here to share a bit about the most important people in my life right now. Grab a cup of coffee (or maybe a glass of wine, depending on the time of day!) and settle in, because I have a feeling this is going to be a long one. You know how I can get carried away when talking about the people I love!

First and foremost, I have to give a shout-out to my wonderful husband, Mo. We’ve only been married for about a year now, but we’ve been together for a total of 6 years – 5 of those as boyfriend and girlfriend before we finally tied the knot. That man is truly the other half of my heart. He’s the yin to my yang, the calm to my chaos.

Mo and I actually met while we were both working at Centinela Medical Hospital. I was a CNA on the floor, and he was one of the RNs. From the moment I saw him striding down the hallway, all confidence and compassion, I was smitten. We started chatting during our breaks, and before long, we were inseparable. There was just something about Mo’s quiet strength and kindness that drew me to him.

Our first official date was at this little hole-in-the-wall Italian restaurant near the hospital. I was so nervous, my hands were practically shaking as I tried to hold my fork. But Mo made me feel so comfortable, cracking jokes and asking all about my dreams and aspirations. By the end of the night, I knew there was something special between us.

Now, as we navigate this first year of marriage, I’m constantly in awe of what a wonderful partner and best friend Mo is. He’s the glue that holds our little family together, and I’m so grateful to have him by my side for all of life’s adventures, big and small.

Speaking of family, my other two favorite people in the world are my kids, Noah and Maureen. Noah is our 9-year-old son, and he’s just the sweetest, most sensitive old soul. He’s always the first one to ask how my day was or to offer to help out around the house. And Maureen, our 8-year-old daughter, is a spitfire – full of energy, curiosity, and a wickedly good sense of humor. The two of them keep us on our toes, that’s for sure, but I wouldn’t trade them for anything. The way their faces light up when they talk about their latest adventures or discoveries just melts my heart.

Mo has embraced Noah and Maureen as his own, and I’m so grateful for the way he’s stepped up to be a loving, supportive father figure in their lives. It hasn’t always been easy, blending our families, but Mo has done it with such grace and compassion. I know the kids adore him just as much as I do.

And of course, I can’t forget our four-legged family members – our dogs! We’ve got Daisy, our spunky little shih tzu; , the world’s most enthusiastic (and occasionally clumsy); Delilah , our German shepherd-husky mix; and Laila’s puppy, Persi. Those pups bring so much joy and laughter to our home. I swear, half the time I think they’re more human than dog!

Honestly, I feel like the luckiest gal around to have such an amazing support system in my life. Mo, the kids, the dogs – they’re the ones who make every day an adventure, who pick me up when I’m feeling down, and who make me laugh until my sides hurt. Sure, it’s not always easy, and there are definitely times when I want to pull my hair out, but at the end of the day, I know how truly blessed I am.

So there you have it – the people who currently top my “favorite” list. I’m sure it will change and evolve over time, but for now, I’m just soaking up all the love and laughter that these incredible humans (and canines!) bring into my life. Thanks for letting me gush a bit! Now if you’ll excuse me, I hear the pitter-patter of little (and not-so-little) feet coming my way, and I have a feeling there’s some sort of adventure afoot. Catch you later, friends!