I am so fortunate to have the Fralia's in my life. I was taken in by these two wonderful people and their three children, Joanne, Caroline, and Rusty. It was fortunate for me as I had my biological family still in my life plus their extra love, guidance, and understanding. They have always been there for me and helped raise me as one of their own. They took me on vacations abroad and I lived with them part time to accomodate my mothers crazy work schedule and difficulty in getting me to and from school at the time. I even lived overseas for a year and a half in Saudi Arabia as a child. My mother was never threatened at all by any of this. She knew what wonderful people they were and understood they would never keep me from her or hold me back but rather they enriched my life and provided me opportunity I would not have otherwise ever known. They have met Eric and accepted him into the family as well giving him the same support and I know they will be there for our wedding with smiles on their faces and stories to tell. I love you all and want to thank you for blessing my life. 

What can anyone say about their little brother....... as kids we had the same relationship I think a lot of siblings do... we hated each other and fought like crazy lol. Once we both got older though things changed. There was a time in our lives, where due to circumstance and me being the crazy responsible one, I ended up parenting James (as I still call him though he prefers Greg to most people now) more than sistering him. I think in many ways this brought us closer together than we had been previously and I am glad that I was able to be there. He has grown into a good man who does his who works hard to care for his family. He has three beautiful and wonderful children - Emma, Abby, and Brady - of his own. I am so glad to have them all in our lives and attend this joyous day with us. 

Greg Johnson was officially my step Dad by law until he and my Mom divorced when I was about 18 years old. That being said he has always been the only father I ever knew and is still my Dad. He is not a social body but very intelligent and helped me on many occasions growing up. I have always and still do look up to him as being an amazingly responsible man. He chose to attend school on his own at a time when his home life wasn't the greatest and put himself thru college to be an electrician. He eventually accepted a job with American Airlines and retired from there after a long career. Anyone who knows him will say he isn't a man of a lot of words but he has always loved me as his and he is proud of me, which means a lot. His beautiful wife Andrea has been a part of our lives for many years now but they got officially married in 2006. She and I are not just family we are friends and I can't imagine not having her support in my life. Im so glad they will both be there to witness Eric and I saying " I do"

I have been very blessed to have Alex and Mary Lou Padilla as my parents. They have always supported me, let me explore different interests, and humored my idiosyncrasies. From my father I have received my humor, my interest in science, knowledge of business and understanding of Jazz. From my mother I have received my love (bordering on obsession) with books, appreciation of art, joy of education and understanding of politics. Whenever I've needed them they have always been there, no questions. And though I kid them that their lives only really began once I was born, in truth it is my life that would have never been the same without them as my parents. I greatly appreciate that they have fully adopted April and Allison into their lives and into our family, and they love them just as much (if not more) as they love me. My desire is to be as good a husband to April as my dad has been to my mom, and be as good as parents as both of them have been for me. Love you both infinity.