Tribute To The People In My Life Who Make Me Smile

Katie

When she was born...January 29, 1987
Where she's from...Oregon
How and when I met her...I met Katie in August of 2001. I
met her through her brother and because we share a fascination in duct tape and talking too much.

Katie, Katie, Katie... you are awesome. We're on the same level with so many things. Ever since Katie Version 5.0, I've been able to really connect with you. I love being able to speak truth into your life and I love that you're able to speak it into mine well. Baby, we've got koinonia. I have a good time being you. And kid, if God's happy and you're happy, that's all that matters. I can't wait to see you again. :)

Notable Katie Quotations:
"I have been to the edge and back! I have prevailed! No longer will I fear for I am the Master! Bow to me, all you sniveling worms! Yes, bow to my grace, my cunning, my courage under intense fire! Bow to my superior intellect!!!
That was a test of the Emergency Monarch System. If this were a real monarchy, you would have already been beheaded. Thank you."

"i was thinking today. the weather was really nice, right? and i was thinking "i love today!" and i decided that i wanted to marry "today"... but "today" is a period of time and i can't marry a period of time. so i decided that i really loved the sun. and i wanted to marry it. but then i realized that the sun is hot and i don't want to be close to it, i just want to be exactly this distance from it for the rest of my life so i think i want the sun to fall madly in love with me, but, i dunno, attempt to kill me or something so that the government would put a restraining order on it, so it would be as close to me as it could which would be this distance. and that would work."

"I think my cat is trying to threaten me. When we forget to feed her, she leaves dead animals on our porch. I have many thoughts on this subject, but I have narrowed it down to two theories: Either she is threatening us, and the mole she left us the other day was saying 'This is you, if you don't feed me.' Or she is making rodent sacrifices to the great Katiegod in the hopes that I will have mercy on her and feed her yummy cat food. I don't understand either of these mentalities; I tried cat food once, and it wasn't overly tasty."

"There are times when One needs to be alone with One's sandwich."

Stacey

When she was born...March 6, 1985
Where she's from...San Diego, California
How and when I met her...Stacey goes to the same homeschool-school I go to and we met back in September of 1996. We shared a cabin at 6th grade camp and that was the official beginning of our bee-U-tiful friendship.

We're somehow magnetically attached because if I just went through a major breakthrough in my life, I would bet $5 that you just went through a similar breakthrough or you will go through a similar breakthrough in the immediate future. We're intrinsically different, but eternally alike. And you are and always have been the only person I feel truly comfortable talking to on the phone.

Dayna

When she was born...July 29, 1985
Where she's from...San Diego, California
How and when I met her...We met in February 1999 at youth group, but I didn't like her until after that summer. We became good friends in the summer of 2000.

I love you, Dayna! I pray for you constantly. Thanks for keeping me accountable to my faith. You're always there when I need to talk and you always sincerely try to understand what's up with me. As much as both of our lives hurt, I'm really glad that we could share similar experiences. It helps to know that you empathize, and I hope it helps you know that I can as well.

j0sh

When he was born...June 12, 1984
Where he's from...Hawaii
How and when I met him...March 2001? I met him officially in June, but we really only talk online.

j0sh... you are so amazing. I am amazed by how you've grown. I am grateful for how you've helped me grow. I am constantly, constantly grateful for when you remember to email me about your life and your email brings a smile to my face and lifts my spirit. I am so glad I know you and I'm so glad I can continue to know you. Point: Thanks for existing and thanks for making me smile.

Notable j0sh Quotations:
"do you know what is neat? when you're driving around and there are cars right? like....HUNDREDS of cars. each with people. some with 1 people. some with 5 people. some with like 2 and a half people. and they are all going somewhere. every single one of those damn cars is going somewhere. just like you. literally millions of people living a life...just like you. and going somewhere…just like you. but going somewhere else…not like you. THAT is the definition of cool."

"you know what else is weird to think about? what happens to all the birds? I mean there are literally hundreds. thousands. you see them freaking everywhere. but are there dead birds everywhere? no. only a couple a day on the road. and maybe one behind the library. but that's only 3 a day out of hundreds. thousands. that's rather disturbing..."

"Freedom, in my opinion, is the ability to walk around one's house naked."

Bob

When he was born...June 12, 1984
Where he's from...Oregon
How and when I met him...I met Bob through Jared Light in July 2001. Jared says, "Talk to Bob" I say "Ok." The rest is history.

We've got history. And that's what it is... history. But Bob, there are some things I will never forget no matter how much it kills me to remember. Thank you for being such a huge part of my life from Nationals 2002 to the New Year. I don't know why it turned out like it did, but I know in God's eyes, we will both be so blessed by what occurred. Stay true to God always, Bob, always. If you ever decide you need someone for anything, don't hesitate to remember that I exist and that I will always care about you.

Caitlin

When she was born...November 22, 1991
Where she's from...San Diego, California
How and when I met her...I was at her birth.

I hate the fact that you're learning how to play the piano. Can't you PLEASE do it after noon?! At any rate, you're going to be gorgeous when you grow up. Don't change yourself for your friends. You came pretty cool to begin with (even if you are evil). Grow in God. I love you.

Jason

When he was born...June 6, 1982
Where he's from...San Diego, California
How and when I met him...He was at my birth.

You were my best friend for a long time. We were homeschooled, so this makes sense... but you really were my best friend. Digging for dinosaur bones, drawing on walls, Get-Rich-Quick Schemes, long talks late at night, and the Superhero Club... yah, good times. You became zanier as you grew up and even though you annoy the hell out of me all the time, I still think you're awesome.

Gabriella & Josiah, Rayna & Colin (left)

When they were born...2000, 1993, 1993, 1995, respectively.
Where they're from...San Diego, California
How and when I met them... Babysitting. July '1 and Augustish '99.

I love you guys. I want kids just like you. Rayna, someone as cheerful. Colin, someone as sweet. I hope I'm that lucky when I grow up and have children. I'll miss you after this year when I go away to college. Grow up and be awesome people.

Rachel

When she was born...September 1983
Where she's from...San Diego, California
How and when I met her...Debate club! 1998.

Thank you for having standards. Thank you for thinking for yourself. Thank you for being the friend that I want to emulate when I go to college. You have no idea how much more difficult it would be if you hadn't set the bar so high. I love how ideal you are. I love that you always plan everything. Thanks for making our group a possibility... You're the greatest.

Carissa

When she was born...December 4, 1983
Where she's from...San Diego, California
How and when I met her...She was my 2nd year debate partner during taxes (1999-2000)

We always were the coolest because we ran the VAT. :) I think it's so wonderful that I still know you and love you even after you graduated 2 years ago. You are so much like me, and even though I found that endlessly frustrating as my partner, I love you to death.

Brenden

When he was born...May 1983
Where he's from...San Diego, CA
How and when I met him...He was around in debate back in 1998, but I really got to know him this year because he's the big daddy policy coach.

In a word, you are: Brilliant. Thanks for all the evidence and all the ideas and all the intelligence that is inevitably fused into me through you. You're the nicest guy ever and I truly dig hanging out with you.

Scott

When he was born...September 1983
Where he's from...Murfreesboro, Tennessee (BLAH!)
How and when I met him...Master's Conference 2001. Since he moved to Cali for college (and then back to TN >:P), he's been one of my closest and dearest friends.

Never lose the bit about you that is Peter Pan. Scott, it is so freaky cool that you are easily amused. Watching you become amused amuses me and so it's overall a wonderful thing. You're so much fun to be around. I love you, Scott! :)

Austin

When he was born...September 11, 1985
Where he's from...North Carolina
How and when I met him...Tennessee Open, March 2002.

It's cool that I know you, you know that? I'm sorry I wasn't a wealth of anything when you came down to San Diego. I treasure you as a person and as a friend. When I recharge my phone card, I'll give you a call and we can talk for hours about nothing at all.

Jessica

When she was born...November 9, 1984
Where she's from...Oregon
How and when I met her...I met Jessica through Bob sometime July 2002.

The rulers of Buttercup!! What's that? "Buttercup"? No! It's the Jessica & Kirsten Hill! Become one with the mountain. Let the mountain take you where it will. Jess, we so rock. :) I love you so much. I'm so glad I got to know you and hang out with you. Snowboarding trip next winter break, OK? Ok. :)

Jared

When he was born...April 1984
Where he's from...Oregon
How and when I met him...I think I met Jared at the Master's Conference in 2001. But suffice it to say: Debate.

You are wonderful. You were always The Guy That Understands and you still are. I know you can't help understanding, but thanks so much for always letting me vent. You so cool and so much cooler ever since God shook you up and made you nice. :) I miss you like crazy whenever I'm at tournaments. Hopefully I'll see you again sometime and if not, hey, I will definitely talk to you online and you're constantly in my prayers.

Jaymie

When she was born...January 10, 1987
Where she's from...San Diego, California
How and when I met her...Debate club, October 2002

Props to the best Duo Impromptu partner ever! Jaymie, you're awesome and you fit so well into my life and debate club in general. Why am I graduating so soon?! Ah, well, I'll be around next year. Hawaiian goodness! :) Sorry for all the times I brutally killed you. You're wonderfully easily amused. It's fun to hang out with you.

Notable Jaymie Quotations:

"...I realized, I'm becoming my future. One day, I'm going to grow up and I'm going to own a toaster. And it's going to be My Toaster. And I'm like whoa." ["Wow. I've never really thought of it like that. And one day, I'm going to have a blender."] "That's what I thought of next! And then I thought, and I'm going to have a washing machine. And then I pretty much stopped, because I'm content with a toaster, a blender, and a washing machine."

"And then I had a horrible thought: what if all of [the world's issues] (...even corporate American obesity) happened just so I could learn something. Then I apologized to the world and fell asleep."

"*sigh* another day kept safe from criminal influence."

"Too many people, now, are politely cold to each other. The vast majority of people you talk to are not 'fine'. I'm not requesting that the world suddenly become socially boiling as strangers vent their feelings on each other; my desire is that my friends would feel invited to talk to me, and habitually do so. Because if they don't, and I don't, then how do we grow anything but apart?"

Lila

When she was born...July 1987
Where she's from...San Jose, California
How and when I met her...Master's Conference 2001, but we really met at the same conference the following year.

I have so much love for you, baby. Somehow, everything you say to me is magically exactly what I need to hear. Thank you for caring if I'm around or if I'm not and thank you for every encouraging thing you've ever said to me. You have no idea how much some of those things have meant. Lila, you're beautiful inside and out. Grow in God always. He will make you radiant.

Caleb

When he was born...May 4, 1985
Where he's from...San Diego, California
How and when I met him...We went to the same class day for our homeschool group: September 1996

It took us a long time to get over our inferiority complexes but after we did, it turns out you're such a great person and such a good friend and such a kick-a debate partner. I love you! Never forsake your God.

Josh

When he was born...April 1986
Where he's from...Fallbrook, California
How and when I met him...Paradigm 2000-2001

Our relationship has grown and changed as much as your hair. :) While I've known you for years now, I haven't given you credit for the cool person you are. I'm glad that we shared a train ride up to CLASH this year and got to know each other better and also that we've gotten to chat and watch sunsets and things. You're more than the nicest guy I know, you're...grood.

Andrew

When he was born...June 1983
Where he's from...Central California
How and when I met him...Andrew became the peripheral in our group last spring and a central, humorous force in the group once I started attending Point Loma.

Homestar, Andrew. Andrew, Homestar. You're that cool. I've loved getting to know you better. From sitting next to you at X-Men 2 ("The capitalism is hurting my face") to our hour-long conversation about food at Willamette (Cheez-its and Wheat Thins, yeah) to this semester and hanging out a ton...I like you. I do. Thanks for being so Andrew.

Mitch

When he was born...May 29, 1983
Where he's from...Central California
How and when I met him...July 2003, actually, although we became friends this fall at college.

I knew from the moment I met you and your duct tape fancies that we'd have a special relationship. I enjoy your authenticity and you are definitely the most flamboyantly heterosexual man I know.

Jordan

When he was born...February 14, 1984
Where he's from...Central California
How and when I met him...same time as Mitch: July 2003, but really August.

There is one specific memory of our friendship that makes me constantly remember how much I appreciate you. I had thought I had locked my keys in the car and you were just magically there. And you had a cookie for me. You ran to your room, brought me back a hanger, and you were off to rescue me. You're as unique as your hair and I think you're awesome.

Notable Jordan Quotations:

"I'd be into bulimia if it weren't for the whole vomiting thing."

"I condemn homework because it promotes workaholism."

"Today's lesson is called: 'Polka dots: She can, He can't'"

"Studies show that 90% of humans beings have low self-esteem because they're utterly worthless."

"When I'm king, I'm going to pay midgets to follow behind me in funny costumes. Then when I point to them, they'll dance... The true sign of an aristocracy is having your own midgets."

Ash

When he was born...sometime
Where he's from...Central California
How and when I met him...In July 2003, we were roommates at Willamette debate camp.

Oh, I will miss seeing you all the time as my commuter buddy. You're the coolest, you seriously are. I loved getting to really connect with you at Willamette. We're so alike in so many ways! I will miss being your teammate and roommate. You're so so so the greatest.

Chris

When he was born...sometime
Where he's from...San Diego, California
How and when I met him...Willamette debate camp, July 2003

I didn't know what to think of you at first, but I came to a pretty quick conclusion that you're a pretty OK guy. I loved passing notes with you during Skip's class. :) Thanks for being an ear when I needed one and a fountain of friendly advice when I needed that, too.

Joel

When he was born...August 25, 1985
Where he's from...Walnut Creek (San Fran), California
How and when I met him...NCFCA. We met for the first time in June 2001 at the CLASH tournament. We actually started to get to know each other from LotR showing December 2002.

What can I say about you? You're The favorite, you know that. I'm so grateful for the chestnuts roasting, coffee house dancing, Christmas lights sparkling phoenix moments we've shared this semester and I'm so pleased for the many more I know we'll have. Thank you for appreciating me. Thank you for being Joel. I tried to avoid it, but yin yang, puppet.

Disclaimer: If you're not on here, please don't be offended. I limited it to the people I talk to very frequently...there are many more of you who make me smile and bring joy into my life.