Text messaging using favorites or recents?

Thanks in advance for any hints on this.

Long-time iPhone user, finally texting (yes, I know) and finding it cumbersome. I will only be texting 5-6 people regularly, yet I can't find a way to have that small list of people (with only their phone numbers!) available as a pic-list for sending texts. Is there a way?

Facetime gives you recents and favorites, and the phone function gives recents too. I use an app called Favorator which lets you put a picture for each person you want to call, and dials the phone that way, which is great. Is there anything similar for texting?

Right now I have to start typing a name, and then pick from a cellphone, a home phone and an email address before sending the text. Am I missing something?

Thanks again.