Neither of know how we actually met—we were in graduate school together though she was in the cohort just a year before me. We saw each other around on campus and hugged whenever possible. Tyanne’s a really good hugger. A hearty recommendation if you haven’t yet hugged her. Run don’t walk. She offers a warm and generous embrace. The kind I’ve always needed. Anyway, back to the story. So we saw each other here and there. At the bar a few times. Tyanne didn’t really hang out there, but I sure did. I think we always were attracted to one another but we were always with other people, not that we were pining away for one another. Certainly not. Both of us finished grad school and went on our ways living and loving until we attended a mutual friend’s birthday party (that friend claims credit for our togetherness). Two days later, I was out at a different bar with that friend and she called Tyanne to come join her. Tyanne declined but when she heard I was there, got up, got dressed and rushed on down to the bar. We drank. It was pretty clear that we liked each other. We were leaving, she hugged me and I whispered into her ear. Ty invited me to a party at her friend’s house the next day. There was karaoke and drinks and secret dips into the coat room. A couple days later, we went to dinner. After dinner, we went for a walk. We chatted. Towards the end of the walk, I asked her: do you think we should date, try to date? She exclaimed, ‘I was just going to ask you the same thing!” On that walk, I scrounged in a free pile, showing my true colors. And she likes/loves me all the same. -Laah

Laah knew Tyanne was the one when Shirley accepted her as her other parent. Tyanne knew Laah was the one when she applauded and encouraged loud, spontaneous singing and dancing. You never know when Tyanne may need to take a dance break! 2020 provided ample opportunity for us to discuss our dreams. For the first time in both of our lives, we are MAKING our dreams come true (just like Laverne and Shirley, though slightly different). We have set our intentions toward doing work that facilitates community health and wealth: Tyanne is grateful to be working for the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board actively engaging in public health advocacy for the Tribes of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Laah is transitioning from a long career of social work to become a mushroom farmer. Shirley, our cats Lucelia (aka CeeCee, Black Cat, No Name, What’s Her Name and occasionally I rattle off all the names of everyone I know, just like my mom did), Chester Copperpot and our chickens Laverne, Flower, Opal and Colleen bring us daily laughs and cuddles as we care for our small urban homestead. And as we fully bring our lives together, we are making plans to leave this urban setting and settle into a small community of like-minded individuals, old friends and family in Northern California, where Laah grew up. At this time in our lives, we want to enjoy the children in our family, go to the beach whenever we want, mushroom forage and generally be in the peace and quiet surrounded by trees and our beloved friends.