My roomate’s wedding.
Once upon a time I met this crazy, thrill seeking, kind hearted girl in Hawaii, and we instantly became friends. She later told me that I was spunky, and fiesty and that she knew we would get along well. The first time I ever surfed in Hawaii, Jana was there. The first time I ever lived with girls I barely new, Jana was there.
We had ice cream at cold stones
I experienced a lot of firsts with her, and to this day, the stories we now tell about those years are infamous. I tell those wonderful stories to everyone, “I remember a time when Jana and I did this…” or “There was this one time when Jana and I…” I learned so much from her, so much that is too personal to share, but still worth mentioning in abstract. She helped me to be comfortable with who I am, help me to settle into my own skin in a manner of speaking. Jana was always the first person to encourage and support me in whatever I wanted to do. Every step of the way, she believed in all that I was capable of.
Halloween in Hawaii 2006
Of all the people I was blessed to meet in Hawaii, my roomate Jana left the biggest mark on my time there. She used to say that the Lord brought us together, and that it was meant to be, us living together. I have so many memories, so many good times, and how fortunate I was to have friends like her.
Having dinner at Ala Moana
So while in Utah this past week, I went to my roomate’s wedding. She married a rather tall fellow named Stephen, whom I don’t know well, but if Jana deemed him worthy of her, then he must be more than fine. I’ve seen Jana at her worst, and I’ve seen her at her best. We laughed, more than should be legal, and we cried, and we experienced every emotion in between. The look of happiness that one has on their wedding day, a day dreamed of, and planned at so precisely, is unlike any look I can think to describe. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. She made me promise to be there the day she got married, and after all she has done for me, I had to keep my promise. I’ll always look back with fondness on the adventures we shared, and all the memories we made. And now that she is a married woman, I wish both her and Stephen all the happiness, all the love, and all the memories that a life together can afford.
At the reception in Provo
Stephen, Jana, and I
Jana and Stephen Woods= August 5, 2009
Of all the things I love about you Miss Squirrel, and there are many, it’s that you’re so dedicated to your friendships. When I told people that you traveled all the way from Hawaii to come to my wedding, they were impressed. And as one who has known you a long time now, it meant the world to me. So I hope I can return the favor when your time comes. And even better, be there to photograph every single moment (: