Copyright 2016 by Toya Wright Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-9972178-2-7
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Credits
Editorial: Carla DuPont Huger
Cover Shot: DeWayne Rogers
Cover Design: Aries George
DEDICATION
This book is dedicated to my late brothers, Ryan Charles Johnson and Joshua James Johnson. I pray you continue to rest in peace. I want you to know that we are missing y'all like crazy. I hate that you had to leave us so soon, but I know God doesn't make any mistakes. All we have left to hold on to are the memories of the good times we shared. Not a day passes by that I don't think about y'all.
Looking at your kids bring tears to my eyes. Jaci is the spitting image of you Ryan. She calls your name daily. She walks around her mom's house saying, "Ru Ru" all day. Josh, your kids are growing up. The boys couldn't look more like you and Joshae reminds me so much of you with her shy personality. I call her Lil Josh. I promise to be in their lives and do as much as I can for and with them. It's so unfair that your kids have to grow up without their fathers, I hurt for them.
We will forever keep both of your memories alive. Mama misses y'all so much. She's having such a hard time without y'all. I pray for her strength and peace each and every day. She's such a strong woman. Daddy, Anisha, Walt and Casey are still grieving the loss of you in their own way. We all try to find peace in knowing that we now have angels watching over us. We will always love you guys and you will forever be in our hearts. I love My Rude Boy forever and Fish, I miss your random text messages. I wish heaven had visiting hours.
Your Big Sis, Toya
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
First and Foremost, I would like to thank God for He is my rock, my salvation and my strength. I would like to thank my daughter, Reginae Carter, for being my motivation and my reason. My mother, Anita Johnson and my father, Walter Andrews for bringing me into this world. My manager, Rick G., for believing in me and being a team player, you are greatly appreciated. My auntie, Kristalyn Holden, for being a great mentor and always being there for me when I need her. My best friends Lidia, Shay and Danielle for showing me what real friendship looks like. My publicist, Danika Berry and my attorney, Alcide Honore', I cant do this without you. My makeup artist, Javetta White, for always keeping me beat to perfection and for slaying this cover, I love you Vetta. Dwayne Rogers and Aries George for this dope book cover. Mickey Wright, Dwayne Carter, Tameka Harris, Monica Brown, Kandi Burruss-Tucker, Rasheeda Frost, Monyetta Shaw, Lena Hugger, Jeremy Haynes, Terica Western, Tamar Braxton, Selena Johnson, Cheryl Washington, Frank Holden, Kathy Williams, Emily Holden, WE Tv and Bravo, thank you. Last, but not least, my brothers Casey Johnson and Walter Johnson and my sister Anisha Johnson, I love y'all forever.
CONTENTS
My friends are like my family period. I would not trade them for anything in this world! When you don't have the best family environment at home, you seek out those who are like-minded and have the ability to support you in those ways that family can lack. It means the world to me to be able to pick up my phone and vent to the same people I could 20 years ago, know they want nothing from me other than to know I'm good. We can cry, laugh and fight; but through it all, they love me and will always tell me the truth.
Anyone who knows me knows I am very private. My inner circle is no different. Out of necessity, I have to keep the things I value very near and dear to my heart because telling the wrong person can result in waking up tomorrow to the whole world knowing my business. In the past, I have not always been the best judge of character and have allowed some people into my circle who did not mean me any good. I have paid the price for that dearly.
It's funny how fake and crazy the entertainment industry can be; but in it I have found some of the most genuine, loyal, and supportive women who I am able to learn from and be motivated by every day. Some of them are icons and real bosses, so when they tell me they're proud of the moves I make, I know I'm really doing something. Hearing encouragement like that makes me want to go that much harder.
Everything in my life is not roses. In fact, these last few years have been crazy as hell; but those who have never wavered, they are my real sisters.
I really feel like friendship is an important thing in life. It's always good to have good friends around. I have met quite a few people in my life. I truly believe people come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. I truly value the people in my life who are lifetime people.
A few years ago, I really didn't know what true friendship was all about. I thought when I was younger, Okay, this is my best friend because she's around me, we dress alike, we are together all the time. I really didn't fully understand the true definition of a real friend because I'd never really had one.
I have a few friends who I can honestly say I call them sister-friends; we are close as friends, but we have a relationship like sisters. We're close and we are there for each other, through the ups and the downs, no matter what. There are only a handful of people who I can say that about. I can honestly say God has blessed me and put some amazing people in my life.
I'm the type of person who always has a guard up when it comes to meeting new people. I don't see anything wrong with meeting people and getting to know them, but you have to know that everybody is not a friend. Some people are associates, while others have ulterior motives.
My friends Danielle, Lidia, and Shay are like the true definition of real friends. I have quite a few friends. My industry friends; Tiny, Kandi, Rasheeda, Monica, Monyetta and Lena who I consider my sister-friends as well, are friends who I met a couple years ago. They have proven themselves to be loyal, great people. We have a good time together, we have a lot in common, and we also are very supportive of one another.
