Amira Omar

I remember seeing Amira at Malow and thinking she was one of the most gorgeous people I had ever seen.   Being of Egyptian descent, she had a unique, exotic look in comparison to the majority of people dwelling in the white suburbia of Shelby Twp, and that, coupled with her magnetic, almost seductive personality, immediately drew me to her.  On top of her good looks, she was also it pretty dang good athlete sprinting for our track team.  She did have a bit of a temper though, and I remember one time specifically when she got so pissed after coming in second that she threw the baton and the end of the race...gotta love that competitive fire!

One of the funny things I remember about Amira was that for a little while in seventh grade I was her body guard, whatever the hell that means.  In my AOL profile I remember there being something like "If those boys try to touch, you just kick 'em in the nuts" which if you remember correctly, is a lyric from a classically mediocre rap song called "Oh Yeah" by Big Tymers.  Is there any era of your life where you are lamer than you are in middle school? 

Amira changed schools before middle school ended and for the most part we have lost touch, except for a time or two when we ran into each other at what I believe was a department store in the mall.  We were never great friends by any means, but it's still a bit of a bummer to think about losing touch with her because beyond being a true beauty, she was also a sweet girl who I would have loved to see grow through the years.  Perhaps we'll run into each other again, but if not, I'll remember that chick who could run like the wind and was a sweetheart as long as I knew her.

Cheers,
Andrew

Jessica Schuette

When I was in the seventh grade, AOL instant messenger was where it was at to hit on girls, and one of the lucky people who got some of my best efforts was Jessica.  Jessica, a pretty, thin, blonde girl, probably had numerous suitors that year, but I doubt many of them used the John Mayer technique of feeding her lines from "Your Body is a Wonderland."  I went through the song line by line, and chances are you know the song so I won't go into details, but there is one line I remember distinctly for the response she gave me.  The line was about her "bubblegum tongue" to which she responded something along the lines of "Lol, how would you know?"  Sick burn, right?  Unfortunately for me, I never did know if she had a bubblegum tongue or not, because in this pursuit I was unsuccessful. 

Cheers,
Andrew

Kirsten Salmela

"Women made such swell friends. Awfully swell. In the first place, you had to be in love with a woman to have a basis of friendship." - Ernest Hemingway

On the flight to Ecuador with Kirsten, I read The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway for the first time, and I don't think I've ever read a quote that captured how I felt about women as perfectly as this.  And there's not a woman in my life who this quote fits better than Kirsten Salmela. 

When it comes to random roommates, I've been pretty damn lucky.  Through random roommates I've created some great friends in Brett, Dave, Michael, Steve, and Dan, all great dudes who, even though the majority of them I haven't lived with in years, I still talk and/or hang out with pretty regularly. But in the fall of 2012, for the first time in my post-home life I was living with women again, and one of those women ended up being Kirsten Salmela.  When I moved into that dingy, beautiful, grimy little house on Eureka, little did I know that in the next nine months or so of living there I would have cultivated a friendship unlike I'd ever had.

I've met few people who know how to live quite like Kirsten does.  She goes for it, all the time, and that combined with a sometimes shockingly filthy mouth was like a black hole, I got near her orbit and she pulled me in immediately.  I don't care if you're gay, straight, in a relationship, or single, I refuse to believe there is a man who has met Kirsten that didn't fall for her for at least a day.  She's that girl, and I love that about her. 

As of writing this, I haven't seen Kirsten since she moved away to Virginia, and man do I miss that girl.  Right now I'm on a nice, sectional couch writing on my laptop with some Netflix playing in the background, and it's really nice, but damn do I miss doing the same thing sitting on that shitty, tattered, obscenely comfortable sofa at Eureka watching Wonder Years and drinking Johnnie Walker black label with that girl.  For now though, I'm going to smile at the fact that she's down there below the Mason Dixon line on the way to making her dreams come true, and she's not just going to make those dreams come true, she's going to make those dreams her bitch.

Cheers,
Andrew

Seeva Hugmeyer

Seeva, or Miss H. as I and several dozen students know her as, is a funny, comic book loving sweetheart and was a fellow student teacher during the the Fall semester at Valleywood Middle School.  She was the interning for the teacher right next door to mine, so I was fortunate enough to see her pretty often during the few months we were at that school together and those few months gave me the chance to get to know this lovely woman.  Miss H has one of the most approachable faces that you'll ever see, she's sweet, confident, and has a spark of energy and wit that let's you know she can dish back anything that you give her (an ability especially useful in a middle school.  There was one time she told me about a student who was being particularly disruptive and she asked him to come in front of the class and make a deal with her, handshake included, that the next time he got out of line there would be a designated punishment.  I believe that he did end up acting up again, and with the students as her witness, he had no choice but live up to his word.  What a great strategy for behavior, right?

Miss H went to a different school after that semester and I haven't seen her since that time, but here and there throughout the year I would send her a text or something about one of the students and she always responded with that trademark good attitude.  I don't know if I'll see her again, but I hope I do because a teacher like that who seems to exude so much passion and seems to genuinely enjoy not just teaching itself, but the students as well, is the exact kind of person that I'd like to have in my life. 

When Captain America throws his mighty shield,
All those who choose to oppose his shield must yield!
 -Andrew (Mr. Thom)

Steaven Lichtenwalter

I met Steve through my roommate Dave during my junior year at MSU, and from the second I met him I liked him.  He's this big, tall dude with kind of crazy hair that is anything but conspicuous, and when he's around it's pretty hard not to notice his presence.

Sadly, I'm never going to see Steaven in this life again after he was recently taken from us.  I heard about it on Super Bowl Sunday 2014, and despite only having hung out with him a couple of times, it was a heartbreaking shock to hear of his death.  I never talked to him outside of when I saw him with Dave, and there are probably dozens of people who will forget more about him than I'll ever know, but for the flash that Steaven was in my life, he was flash of brilliant, optimistic light that had me laughing and smiling whenever he was around.  I'll miss you my friend, and one day I hope to have the honor of seeing you again.

Andrew

Megan Decoster

Megan is a total sweetheart who I met when she was dating my cousin, but outside of that, I also had a class or two with her in college and we were both going into teaching, so we had several things in common.  A gorgeous girl with one of the most disarming smiles you'll see, and if you haven't seen her in a while Megan is the kind of girl who will catch your eye from across the bar with that big smile on her face then meet you to say "Hi!"  I know this because that happened twice in the period of a few months, and each time I saw her I couldn't help but be happy to be in her presence.  I don't really know what it is, because while we've always been friendly she and I have never been all that close, but unlike some other people I run into when I'm home, I'm never disappointed running into her.  Yes, I suppose part of it has to do with her being a beautiful person to look at, but more than that, she has a warmth and genuineness to her than a million of people probably wish they could imitate. 

These days Megan is a teacher, and talking to her briefly about the school she's working at I can see a true love for the art of teaching, which is something that I do not see enough in this field.  I can look into that girls eyes and when she tells me that she loves those kids she's working with, she wants to be the best teacher she can possibly be for them, I believe her.  Not only do I believe her, but that's the kind of inspirational mindset that reaffirms why I decided to go into education.  So here's to you Megan, a truly beautiful human being to the core.

Cheers,
Andrew

Gabrielle Baldino

Gabrielle Baldino...what lovely woman.  Smart, gorgeous, sexy, sweet, and of course, funny.  Gabrielle is one of those people who have a laugh and smile that are so infectious, you can't help but join in.  For the better part of my youth Gabrielle and I lived about a block away from each other and as long as I have known her, there isn't a single memory I have of her that isn't a swell one.  One of the times that I remember being quite enjoyable was when Gabrielle, Jenna, my buddy Theo, and I were all over her house hanging out her pool during the summer of one year in middle school.  I don't remember the details of the day really (besides being a teenager and enjoying being in the presence of some fine looking ladies in bikini's, obviously) but that doesn't really matter.  What I do remember is the four of us hanging out for several hours, laughing and pretty much just enjoying Gabrielle's company as I always have.

After high school, going to different colleges and what not, I haven't seen Gabrielle too often, but every time I do, it seems like she always looks better and I get a little nostalgic when I see she's still wearing that trademark smile.  I most recently saw her this past summer when I was running through the old neighborhood, and we talked for a little while, catching up about things.  It was great to hear she was doing well, and when I told her about my upcoming move to Grand Rapids, she was her usual awesome self telling me about places to check out when I got there.  Gabrielle is an easy girl to miss, because when she's around, I don't know...you just feel a little bit happier.  Here's to hoping we run into each other again sooner rather than later.

Cheers,
Andrew

Dan Feys

Dan is one of the funniest guys that I've ever met.  In high school there are very few interactions I remember with him where I was not laughing, and I think most of the people who knew him will agree with me on that.  For instance, a bunch of people were at Dakota for a football game against Ike, I don't remember what year, but during that game Dan kept on starting this chant that went "When I say weak ass, you say bitch!  Weak Ass!"  and every one adamantly responded "Bitch!"  It was a fantastic, and the kid sure as Hell knew how to start up a chant because that went on all game.

Not only is Dan hilarious, he's also just straight up a good dude.  Every time I've seen him in the years since we graduated, he's got a big smile on his face and is quick to reminisce about something from back in the day.  My last year at MSU, I was getting out of the bar with some of my buddies and while we were waiting at the corner to cross the street, who do I run into?  Dan Feys.  It must have been a few years since I'd seen him, but just like that he had me cracking up and it was like running into him in the halls at Ike.  Oh and he had a smoking hot girlfriend with him, so let that be a note to people that the standard girl saying of "I like a guy with a sense of humor" is totally legit.  And yes, it probably helps that the dude is jacked now, but that's besides the point.  Dan is the man, and I hope to continue running into him as the years pass if for no other reason than because I know he'll say something to get me laughing again.

Cheers mate,
Andrew

Ashley Pruitt

There are some people who, though only in your life for a short period of time, make a such a significant impact that even years after those few weeks you were around them, your mind continues to drift to them.  Ashley is that person for me. 

It was the summer of 2010, I'd just finished my sophomore year at MSU and was in Los Angeles to catch my flight to Australia for a month of volunteering/travelling.  I was alone, knew no one, I'd never done anything like this in my life, and the night before while I was lying in that hotel bed, I was pretty nervous.  So when I reached my gate at LAX looking around for a friendly face and heard this fantastic laugh, I turned my head in that direction.  That's when I saw her.  Beautiful, blonde, sitting on the floor with a couple people and a lovely, warm smile spread across her face.  I walked over and took a seat next to her, and I'd like to say it was the best decision I've ever made, but then I'd be doing a disservice to destiny because the chain of events that happened in the next hour was so ridiculous that was no way that I wasn't meant to meet this girl.  But don't take my word for it, I'm gonna list off a few things then you can decide for yourself when I'm finished:

She originally signed up for a different date, but changed it after she found out that her favorite band, (Something Corporate) was having a reunion tour that summer and the dates conflicting.  First thought: "This girl is a bad ass."

She was listening to my favorite band (Brand New) on her iPod. 

The next band she named was Modest Mouse, who I saw live but a couple weeks earlier.

Not only could she quote Anchorman as well if not better than I could, she could also quote the supremely under appreciated Grandma's Boy.  (This was about the time I started to fly around the airport on a cloud of smiles)

Ok, so I suppose you could chalk those things up to a crazy random happenstance...but then THIS happened.  Naturally, after thoroughly enjoying every moment of talking to someone for about an hour, I was bummed out when the plane started boarding knowing that we weren't sitting anywhere near each other.  Walking behind her in a single file line down the aisle, we reached her seat first, a sad smile of utter disappointment surely on my face as I told her I'd see her in like 16 hours...that's about the time she dropped her bag on the head of the woman sitting next to her.  The woman, clearly pissed off, looked at me, asked me if I had a window seat, and my heart raced.  I had no idea, so I said I'd be right back as I went to check...I did!  I came back, told the lady my seat was ripe for the taking, then just like that...Ashley was back in my life.  She continued impressing me all the way there, those details probably don't matter to anyone to me though, I'll just tell you my strongest memory.  It was the middle of the night and I couldn't sleep so I was probably just watching a dumb movie, when suddenly I felt something on my shoulder.  I looked over and there she was, head rested on my shoulder, sleeping. I don't know how long she was there, and I know that sounds like nothing to most people, but to me, that was the moment that for the first time in my life, I knew what I wanted. 

I spent four weeks in some of the most beautiful places in the world with some of the coolest people I'll ever meet, yet she was the thing I thought about most.  When we were on a yacht on the Sydney Harbor gazing out at an incredible sunset, I remember her laugh at the twist I put on Ron Burgundy's "San Diego means whale's vagina" joke more than the sun.  Getting cheered on by strangers while singing karaoke was awesome, but it didn't make me smile as big as when Ashley said she liked my voice.  And doing a strip tease on a speed boat for a bachelorette party was funny and all, but I laugh more at the memory of Ashley talking about how "freeing" skinny dipping is.  At the end of the trip, the group of us that were closest were walking through LAX, dropping off one by one as we reached each person's gate back home.  The group dwindled and dwindled until finally, the group contained me, Ashley, and the lovely Bhumi.  I said goodbye to Bhumi first because she and Ashley were going the same way, then it was just the two of us.  Holding Ashley in my arms, I said to her, "First person I met, last person I say bye too..."  and she let out a soft laugh, then responded, "I know...perfect."  I wanted to pull her face to mine, kiss more deeply than I've kissed anyone before, and tell this girl who amazed me at every turn that I loved her, that she changed my life, that I would never forget the time I spent with her...but I didn't.  I kissed her on the cheek, she kissed mine back, then I walked away and sat in the international terminal for a seven hour layover thinking to myself..."What the FUCK was that?"   That boy knew exactly what he wanted, who wanted to kiss that girl from the moment the words "Brand New" came out of her mouth was a timid fool, and never did he tell or show the girl of his dreams how he felt.

I have very few regrets in my life, having Ashley around my life for that time, having all those feelings, and basically just doing nothing, is hands down the dumbest thing I have ever done.  Sure she may not have reciprocated my feelings and rejection isn't fun, but I felt something, and that should have been enough to take a chance.  Stephen Chbosky put it best in his brilliant Perks of Being a Wallflower, "You can't just sit there and put everybody's lives ahead of yours and think that counts as love. You just can't. You have to do things."  I didn't do anything, and those long bleak hours in that godforsaken terminal was the best lecture I could have received in order for the hardest, most important lesson about taking action to truly sink in.

I haven't seen Ashley since the trip ended, but we occasionally keep in touch, usually in October around our back to back birthdays.  The highlight of the birthday chats being from the weekend of our collective 21st birthday's when we had a conversation led to me nearly crying from laughter on the streets of Ann Arbor...ha, God that girl really has a way of making you miss the Hell outta her.  As of my writing this she is working for the Susan G. Komen foundation doing her best to kick breast cancer's ass so hard that it is eliminated from the Earth, something I would not be at all surprised she manages to accomplish.  (Donate!) 

To be honest with you, I've never missed anyone more than I miss her.  The way she can make someone feel so good about themselves, about life when she's around to share a laugh...she's unlike anyone.  Before I met Ashley I had gone through one of the toughest years of my life, and meeting her at that time, sharing that once in a lifetime experience with her...she filled my heart with an optimism that I hadn't felt in too long of a time, maybe ever.  It's rare I put my iPod on shuffle and don't hear a song that reminds me of just how wonderful of a person Ashley is, and every time I hear Andrew McMahon say "It's 11:11 and you wanna talk" or Demetri Martin talk about the wondrous laundry machine (It's not a how you do it machine), a smile of mixed emotions always comes to my face.  I have no idea if I will ever see her again, but I really hope I do, because if that day comes, I'm gonna serenade her with the best damn song about bacon the world has ever heard.

With love and admiration,
Andrew

Katie

When some people speak, their words and passion are on such a different level than the average person that you become completely immersed in what they say.  Katie is one of those people.  She was friends with my roommate Kirsten, and while I've only met her maybe two or three times, I heard a story about how she turned almost her entire seventh grade class against her, some conversation about Malnourished Cambodians which led to a quote about how they "neck break like twigs," then my personal favorite: the guy she was dating at the time whom she dubbed "The Super Bowl Jew" because, you guessed it, he's Jewish and she met him at a Super Bowl party.

I don't even know this girl's last name, but she sure as Hell knows how to leave an impression, and that's something I can respect.

Cheers,
Andrew