Jessylee & Zane
Wedding Party
Lexii-Jo Rosecrans
Honor counsel
A Canadian and an American meet at a wedding and laugh and laugh and laugh. Lexii and I met in 2014 at her Sister-in-Laws wedding and within what felt like moments knew that we were going to be friends for a very long time. Lexii is my fishing, rock hunting, camping partner extraordinaire, the times that I have stood on a shoreline my heart flooded with tears, danced beside a fire with laughter bubbling from my soul, spent hours with my mind lost in new songs we share, with Lexii beside me are invaluable. My life was forever changed in such deeply genuine ways when Lexii began sharing her chapters with my own story. Lexii is my first long distance friendship, something that can be very difficult to manage, yet we are nearly ten years strong with no signs of stopping. Lexii has an amazing way of helping people be at ease and feel important and accepted, she is curious and brilliantly intelligent. Her passion for the natural world and knowledge of it is such a fun platform for us to connect on, sharing photos of slugs, mushrooms, flowers and animals. Cross referencing one another when we find something one of us can't identify, a knowledge bank that I also call on Anna for. Her gentleness and empathy with the world around her showcases a rare kind of strength that I wish only to learn to emulate and share with the world. Being a human that she chooses to call one of her own was one of the first notes of pride I ever took in the person I am. Thank you Lexii.
Midori Bolduc
Honor counsel
Midori and I met in high school, we knew that we wanted to be friends but like waves rolling over one another on the shoreline we just couldn't time it right. Until nearly 6 years later when we both found ourselves immersed in the festival culture and I knew that I coudln't let the opportunity pass. Midori has an incredibly fierce nature about her, be it aimed at protecting her loved ones, loving her cherished ones or leading others into self love. Her fierceness revolves almost solely around love to be honest. Her leadership qualities have helped her accomplish great feats and encouraged others to do the same. Midori is one of the most body, spirit, self-improvement positive people I've ever met. Her sense of responsibility and reliability are off the charts and thankfully paired with healthy self aware boundaries, all of which offer great encouragement and lessons to those who meet her. She strengthens the world around her because she values others seeing their own value in themselves. It took time and perseverance for our friendship to evolve into the beautiful tapestry it is today. It took a lot of trust building, communication and effort for Midori to become one of the only people who can call and say "Do you have plans for the next 24 hours? No? Okay, I want you to pack a bag: three outfits and sleepwear. Be ready in an hour." and with no hesitation my spontaneity adverse rear gets it done and jumps in the car without question. Thank you Midori.
Anna Reinicke
Honor counsel
Honestly with Anna, it all started with a mutual friend roping us into meeting via a "book exchange" which because of their insight became dinner every Wednesday with the three of us for over a year. The depths of conversations I share with Anna are soul searching and status quo crushing. Her strength and resilience are so grounded in the earth; she is like a mountain steadfast and unmoving, yet able to yield and adjust with the changing atmosphere, always willing to learn and take into account the possibility within the expansiveness that is the human experience. Anna is one of the most learned people I know, she pursues knowledge with a hunger few have and the knowledge she considers of high value fills our conversations with intrigue. I have learned so much; about the environment, pollinators, animals, culture, language and as with Lexii, the skill in maintaining a friendship when long distances separate you. Anna looks at challenges that make me quiver in my bare feet and simply continues doing the work until it is done. In fact, that one quote from her has gotten me through more hard times than I can count. She's always there with the hard facts and pragmatic questions to help me find the healthiest way forward. Thank you Anna
Chad McGee
Honor counsel
Chad is my younger brother and best friend. Growing up we did everything together. Most brothers will play games or sports with each other and while we did those things we also shared in art; we played music together, him the bass, and me the guitar. We shared in our love of music by consistently trying to find some song that neither of us had ever heard and listening to it together as we were shocked with wonder. When we were even younger we would read and share a book together. I mean that quite literally. Our first was a single copy of Harry Potter that we both read at the same time, waiting for the other to finish our current page before turning to the next. As adults we pick up as if there has been no change even with the passage of time. Chad brings out my most true self and an older brother couldn't ask for anything more.
Lew Erickson
Honor Counsel
I met Lew through a mutual friend group. Upon moving to Bend I worked for about a year before really trying to find a group of people with similar interest. As it turns out I met Lew through Magic the Gathering, similar to Jessylee, but through a different group. While these mutual friends had similar interests I could tell that they would not make good friends, Lew was different. Lew was honest and willing to go the extra mile. He put in an effort that others would not and asks deeper questions that creates the best of friendships. He introduced me to his family whom were just as welcoming as him. We ended up going on our own journey to find like minded, welcoming and good-hearted people. This is how we ended up finding Korey, and through Korey I found Jessylee. Lew may seem shy at first but that will quickly dissolve as soon as you find an interest he loves. Luckily these are broad as he is a talented welder of mechanical skill, has the brilliant eye of an artist, and is a lovable nerd like the rest of us. Lew is who kept me in Oregon and put me on my path to Jessylee.
Korey Silver
Flower Girl
(Jessylee/Goldy's story) Korey is my longest friend, we've been an odd pair since the days when it all started, two awkward kids in high school lucky enough to live in the same neighborhood; bonding over being on the outskirts of social norms. Even though Korey and I have few common interests our friendship has grown strong over the years, I like to think by the diligence of just knowing without ever doubting that as long as we had each other we knew friendship and safety. The years between high school and coming of drinking age took us in different directions many times, it is a blessing that we were able to come back together as adults and develop what we have now. When at 24 I got myself into hot water, finding that I had committed myself to a life that I was not ready for it was Korey who took me in so I could get on my feet. I went on my first long distance road trip with Korey at 27 and I can still remember the way we spoke, as family, beneath the dark sky and it's burning stars beer in our hands recalling the amazing food, glorious sights and insane driving conditions; just as clearly I remember the way it felt getting our Anam Cara tattoos. When I was 29 and idiotically moved all the way across the country to try and find a new version of myself it was Korey who came to visit and remind me that I was loved for who I was. Korey always brings me home, and that's just what he did unbeknownst to us all when he introduced me to Zane called Bears. Thank you Anam Cara