One of us came from the forest, the other from the desert floor. We met at Wandering Tortoise after a work day and became close friends very quickly. We recognized in each other we could learn from one another. Friendship grew into travels, movies, music, and a whole bunch of amazing people who shared the beginning of our long journey helped us see each other. Infinitely lucky to have patience for each other, and to have found someone who would take the time to listen deeply. Listening eventually transformed into loving, and after a trip to San Diego in the early spring of 2023 we became an inseparable unit. Mary’s love and passion for connecting people to music matched Rocky’s affinity for and tendency towards sharing things found. Experiences, moments and wide ranging conversations, all built up an everlasting friendship that has evolved into a way of loving, all things, ourselves, and each other.