It all began with band and a kid named Alan. Tim and my brother met when they marched in their first Drum Corps group the Seattle Cascades in 2004 and then onto Santa Clara Vanguard. A few steps later and as time went on and our families got to know each other, we decided to become friends. This friendship that started, would also not be without thanking Michelle. Keep an eye (and ear) out because music seems to be a through line in almost everything. As it does - time marched on from that initial band experience. An appropriate time in the story where we introduce a little pup named Elliott. Tim got Elliott as a pup while in school; and like a good herding dog, he shepherded people into globs and blobs. One New Years Eve while playing poker, Amy got to hold puppy Elliott. After a round of debatable winning, she told Elliott she was keeping him and taking him back to Oakland, CA. …she did not take him to Oakland, but Elliott (and Tim) remained in Portland. As Elliott began to grow out his fluff and really honed in on his herding instincts. Eventually in 2012, Elliott convinced both people that their friendship should be more than it was and that the universe thought this was generally a great idea.

The Mayan calendar made predictions the world was going to end on December 21st, 2012. A party was had and so begins our story.

We all know the years of 2020-2021 (or was it 2022)? It’s a little blurry, time ran on, we baked bread, we binged watched movies and television like never before, we exceeded our quota of chicken salad sandwiches, and in the summer of 2021 we decided to go on a camping trip to Mt. St. Helen’s. Glacial rivers flowed beautifully with sunshine filtered through the evergreens. We hiked as far as we could into the crater, hiked up stairs, past the remnants of vehicles from the original eruption. One of these days out, we hiked down a narrow trail with overgrown brush on either side, there was some loose gravel and long story short, after some extreme moments on the trail and driving back around the curves of the mountain we arrived back at the campsite. Determining that life was too short and that maybe we want a party for each other, our family, and our friends after all.

This particular story has nothing to do with farts of course. Although they are hilarious. Even before the St. Helens trip, we had already determined to go through life together, with whatever was hurled our way. We began to research the one ring to rule them all, and while on a camping trip- Tim proposed to Amy a top a hill at Jesse Honeyman State Park. We told everyone as much as we could with limited cellphone reception and determined that December on our original anniversary date would be the day.

While this isn’t a story persay, we’d like to take the opportunity to give thanks to very special people with whom we would give the world to participate in this celebration with us. Karen Heichelheim and Roger DeVall - we miss you terribly. Life was too short. And we wish that you could see us now and that you could physically be here. We think you’d be proud. ❤️ There isn't a big enough word count in this small box that would be appropriate for how much we thank, appreciate and love you. To Lucy/MooMoo/Lucille Two - we are gutted that we had to say goodbye to you a few weeks ago. Life isn't quite fair. We love you forever. Those of our family who have gone but we like to see in the stars, your memories are in our hearts always - George Heichelheim Florence Ling (Popo) Louis Ling (GungGung) Evelyn Werner Robert Werner Jack DeVall Doris DeVall Hubert Heichelheim (Opa) Jan Heichelheim (GranJan)