Anna/Andrew/Genevieve

The Sister Stardust

Once upon a time Anna and Jeanie were born a world apart. But Destiny saw to it that these Soul Sisters would find each other and join together to become the greatest of adventurers. As Fate would have it, Jeanie met Amos, Anna’s brother, and it soon became clear that their dating and betrothal had something else written in the stars along with their love. It was mutual weirdness at first sight when Anna and Jeanie went shopping together for the first time and discovered they had a language all of their own. From setting up booths at art fairs and galleries, hiking through the prairie to learn about edible plants, healing each other with henna, and dancing the night away, Anna and Jeanie have traversed the terrain of Love and explored every facet of  the gem of Friendship.

As the Classical world sees it, Jeanie and Anna are the real soulmates, made of the same star stuff, lovers of the moon, the earth, and all things wild and free. Their individual powers combine magically to create beautiful art, humor, and wisdom that has ultimately granted their friendship the key to a treasure trove of golden memories filled with laughter. And now they can add a new circlet to the treasure as Jeanie will stand by Anna when she weds Andrew, the way Anna stood by Jeanie on her wedding day many moons ago. 

To know Andy is to know the great thinkers, ponderers, and champions of social change in human history. Aristotle, Jesus Christ, Buddha, Mahatma Gandhi, Tom Osborne... Friendship played a central role in ancient ethics and political philosophy. In the books of Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle divides friendship into three sorts: friends for pleasure, friends for benefit, and true friends. To the former belong those sorts of social bonds that are established to enjoy one’s spare time, e.g. friends for sports or hobbies, friends for dining, or for partying. In the second are included all those bonds whose cultivation is primarily motivated by work-related reasons or by civic duties, such as being friends with your colleagues and neighbors. In the third category we find Friendship with a capital "f." True friends, explains Aristotle, are mirrors to each other. To the query, ''What is a friend?'' his reply was ''A single soul dwelling in two bodies... In poverty and other misfortunes of life, true friends are a sure refuge. The young they keep out of mischief; to the old they are a comfort and aid in their weakness, and those in the prime of life they incite to noble deeds."

Have you ever been such good friends with someone that even though one of you was almost a foot taller than the other and clearly more handsome that you would constantly get confused for each other? The reason for it might be Aristotle's mirror (although we didn't keep each other out of mischief) and it might have something to do with having the same name. But when you’re both constantly uttered in the same breath as the other for so long, your legacies can become quite entwined. Lennon & McCartney, Jordan & Pippen, Ben & Jerry, Batman & Robin, Bert & Ernie, Tacos & Tuesdays… Clabaugh & Wolf.

Anna and Chanté, of the Sterns and Bauer family, are proud to say that they are lifelong cousins, thank you very much. They are the last people you'd expect to be involved in anything strange or mysterious, because midwest children just don’t hold with such nonsense. You would never know just from looking at them that they had been raised on the magic of homemade bread, garden forts, and fantasy. 

Who know’s how it began exactly, but over the years their roles as cousins braided into a friendship with the magical world of literature. What better education is there for young girls than delving deep within the pages of good books, armed with only a flashlight to read under the covers late into the night? But soon they became so emboldened by literature that they began to read in broad daylight, discussing, imagining, and philosophising right out in public! They even went so far as to attend midnight book releases much to their mothers dismay! Naturally such scandalous behavior in such young ladies was whispered and mumbled about by their friends and family but soon enough their bold behavior became accepted, expected even, and payed off! Now, armed with flashlights and boisterous degrees in the humanities, these cousins are free to continue practicing literature for all the world to see!  

Aaron and I both share a deep relationship with food. He cooks it and I eat it. He's a really good chef and his talent is something I try and abuse as often as possible. And while Anna already took my idea of creating a recipe for someone with her fond words for my sister, Becca, it's actually ok; because Aaron doesn't use recipes. He cooks from the heart, not from a book. We've all seen the cooking competitions with fully stacked professional kitchens and two floor grocery stores, but it's something else to see someone walk into your humble kitchen, see what random things you have in your cabinets and refrigerator, and create something delicious from scratch. Some people are lucky, stumble, or are born into success, but Aaron crafted his talent and has worked for every ounce of success he's created. He's the most motivated person I've ever met, cramming what some people might fit into three years into one. And he still makes time for the important things, like calling me and reminding me that we are friends and should act like it once in awhile by spending some time together.

Aaron might be that friend of yours that has all the dirt on you all the way back to middle school or brings out the most immature in you. But he's also the friend that if you throw out a lifeline, will never let go. Did I mention he makes really good food? Perhaps this is a ploy by my stomach to get him to make me more of my favorite chocolate cake, but this man means a lot to me.

"Clothes mean nothing until someone lives in them." — Marc Jacobs

Nana Clabaugh doesn’t do fashion, she is fashion. She has the comfort, and listening skills of a cashmere sweater. The ease and strength of blue suede. As well as the excitement and joy of glitzy sequins. Even though she always looks on point, she is a trend setter of moral fiber and willingness to do good. I see her warmth as she speaks with members of our church. I see her sacrifices to her career as a nurse. I see her love for her husband, for travel, and for life. She is a model of carpe diem and I love joining in her adventures.

Even though it was a bummer she moved away, I’ve been so happy for her chance to try San Fransisco on for size and lucky enough to share in some memories out there as well. We appreciate the style of Chanel and the spunk of Lacroix but nothing compares to spending large sums of time together, sitting on a blanket next to the ocean, getting sand in our pants and talking about the beauty of it all. It’s in those moments I can’t help but wear a big smile and feel utterly and completely grateful for everything. It’s a pretty priceless thing to have such a friend as Nana in my life - a friendship that will never go out of style. 

Yo ho! Pour some rum and let me tell you the story of the dreaded pirate, sailor of the high seas, Fur Legs Tully. A tale of a man known equally for his furry legs as his golden, oh so golden, baritone voice. He loved to sing songs of dastardly deeds, fair wenches, and his love for the deep blue. Most ol' seadogs had a shoulder companion in the like of a parrot or monkey, but over the years Fur Legs Tully developed a strong bond with the fowl, Charlie the Chicken. His tale began as a swab and powder monkey in the cheesy waters of Wisconsin, met his lady quartermaster on the dry seas of Arizona, and although was tempted by the rich waters of Texas, finally settled on being Captain Mike of the Flatwater Nebraska in his ship, Lady Trinity. Singing songs fills his days and buffalo wings and ale fill his nights and stomach.

For every time this swashbuckler has made me laugh I can say he's equally given me good advice; helping me learn from his mistakes and modeling his successes in work, play, and the ways of the sea. I've learned to greatly appreciate the meals or lagers we share as they might be one of the largest contributions to the balance of my sanity week to week in the choppy waters of life. A toast to the big brother my parents never gave me, Fur Legs Tully!

Better-than-Bread Becca

INGREDIENTS:
1 water park
2 cups of coffee, mocha
1 dance party, preferably in a kitchen
1 travel sized bottle of hand sanitizer
1 whole smorgasbord, gluten free
A handful of cute animal videos
A dash of Disney
Some really funny things happening, to taste
A hug for garnish

First you go to the water park and have lots of fun going down the slides. Be sure to wear sunscreen. Other substitutes you could use are, zoo’s, wedding receptions, or other theme parks. Next you add a few cups of coffee. Mocha is a good way to go. Also, feel free to add a few cute animal videos at this time and other funny things. You may notice some laughing, this is normal and usually very quiet, almost silent.  

After about 15 minutes you will notice the coffee taking effect. At this point you will then begin the dance party in the kitchen and add a few more funny things. While the dancing is going on you will need to get out a dollop of hand sanitizer and rub it in thoroughly. Now you will incorporate the whole gluten free smorgasbord for as long as you see fit. Once you’ve decided the appropriate amount of time has passed add a dash of Disney, and the rest of the funny things.  

In the end you will put a nice hug on top and enjoy your Better-than-Bread Becca.  

Some may say he’s short, but he’s a man of great stature in my eyes. Towering over men of less fortitude and passion, Nick never half-butt's anything; I don't even think he understands the concept of dipping your toe in the water. I've seen this man chew out a referee in a church youth basketball league, dance with random strangers on the street, offer to play the stunt double instead of a paper mâché dummy, and treat my Genevieve as the center of his world when he's with her. Anything less than a hundred percent is unacceptable. For this reason he might stumble every once in awhile, but he'll also have twice as many success stories than anybody else when he becomes an old man. Even then I'll expect him to still be the guy that brings the six pack and the beer to every get together.

Nick loves a good story and the good Lord knows he could tell a hundred of them about the Three Amigos back in Trinity UMC's youth group and how Andy, himself and I caused more grey hairs for Cindy Williams than her four daughters did. He's currently honing his storytelling craft through the lens of a camera, working his way toward a California dream.

Amy is my hero! There are many pieces of evidence that I can submit to support this. She's in the national guard, an amazing music teacher, a truly benevolent friend to my groom, Andrew, and she has been nothing but gracious and joyful about becoming my bridesmaid even though I had not originally asked her to be one. Amy is the band director for Grand Island Senior High and has a marching band competition on October 17, the day of the wedding! But when one of my bridesmaids decided to relinquish her responsibilities in order to pursue new opportunities (a.k.a. becoming a mother. a.k.a. going to be 8.5 months pregnant on the big day - no pun intended) I saw this as an opportunity to ask Amy, even though this too might not work out with her schedule that day. So I asked and she figured out a way to be a french horn playing national guard member, marching band director, and bridesmaid all in one! If anyone could make an out-of-town band competition and wedding work in one day it was Amy. My hero! 

Furthermore, when it came to doing this little write up for her and maybe you’ve noticed but I’ve kind of had a theme going with these, I didn’t really know any books or stories that were special to her. So as a surprise I asked her husband, Andy, one of the groomsmen, and this is what he told me: “Amy loves the movie Taken and anything with Liam Neeson.”  Which rests my case… and explains why she said yes to being a bridesmaid the way she did:

"I know who you are. I know what you want. If you are looking for a bridesmaid, I can tell you I don’t have much time. But what I do have are a very particular set of skills. Skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a dream for brides like you. If you let me be a bridesmaid now, that'll be the end of it. I will look good for you, I will pursue your big day dreams. But if you don't, I will look for you, I will find you, and I will kill you.” 

I’m so glad I have her as a bridesmaid! 

Andy is the biggest kid at heart that I know. And depending on what type of person you are, or if you've had enough caffeine that day, he’ll either turn your hairs gray or keep you young with him; a quality I admire greatly and think more people should have. If we all took his approach, we'd all live longer and happier lives. Andy and I grew close in college sharing a very similar schedule with both of us dividing our time between the drumline, percussion studio, and were placed in some of the same classes. But we also shared more than enough late night McDonald's runs, terrible movies (mostly picked by Andy), and Mariokart (for which we developed a groundbreaking qualification and complicated point scoring system) for any young man to consider his time in college a success.

Even though after we graduated we went down separate paths, we both made it a priority to continue to laugh together and give each other a hard time as often as possible. Personally I sometimes wonder if he only keeps me around to outplay me on the golf course a few times each season. Both Andy and his wife, Amy, are great examples of being great teachers and great human beings. It's great to know that they will make an impact in what I hope is thousands of young people's lives in the way only a terrific educator can.

Dani Young is very beautiful, but you won’t know her just for beauty when you’ve been caught by her charm, as was the case for Aaron Young, her husband. In her mentality are too smoothly blended the delicate wisdoms of her mother, and the hearty humor of her boisterous father. But it is an arresting personality, pointed of values and square cleverness. Her eyes are deep blue with a touch of green, starred with insight and slightly corrected by lenses. Above them, her thick auburn hair parts to the side, framing her magnolia-white skin — that skin so prized by dermatologists and so carefully guarded with bonnets, veils and mittens against hot Nebraska Suns.

Seated with Aaron and Caleb Young in the good life of the plains in 2015, she makes a pretty picture. Her new purse spreads its twelve inches of fabulousness next to her nurses scrubs, exactly matching the flat-heeled green nike running shoes she got for a marathon. Her dress is set off to perfection by her happy smile, the greatest in three counties. But for all the modesty of her friendship, the demureness of her quick wit and the quietness of her son, Caleb on her lap, her true self can be poorly concealed. Her blue eyes in her sweet face are fiery, willful, lusty with life as a woman of faith. Her humor and wisdom have been imposed upon her by modernity and the sterner discipline of her willpower; but her faith is her strongest feature.

When Anna first told me about her brothers I didn't think we'd ever be anything more than good acquaintances. I was happy to have my predictions proved wrong. At first I didn't think they existed. Josh was always somewhere else and Amos was like an offstage character in a play. Referred to as the man from upstairs with an injured leg until a month later he finally made his entrance on to the stage dressed in silk and delivering the line, "What are your intentions with my younger sister?", with the best poise of a great James Bond villain. Over the last three years I have come to consider Amos a brother of my own and a great friend. After asking Anna's father, Bill, for permission to marry his daughter, I asked Amos as well.

Amos might be the smartest person I know; he has a keen understanding of the world, is a natural leader, and an incredibly talented artist. It's great to have someone to discuss the finer things in life with; i.e. why Batman kicks butt, why they broke the mold of great Christmas music after the Rat Pack, and deep points of philosophy like what would happen if there was an actual person made of chocolate? Would they garner worldwide appeal or would they just be eaten? These are life's important questions. 

“Let us read, and let us dance; these two amusements will never do any harm to the world.” - Voltaire

What can I say about Ashley Penington? She just celebrated her ten year anniversary as the owner of her very own dance studio, Dance Arts. Last May on the day of her studio’s recital she was presented with flowers, blown kisses, and words of appreciation from her first decade of students. I’ve been lucky enough to have known her for over a decade; having grown up admiring her as one of the big girl dancers at my childhood studio. Through the years she has showed the durability needed for greatness and taught me so much more than choreography. She’s taught me just how much life isn’t choreographed and that even in less than ideal circumstances the show will go on; even when a student suddenly is unable to be a part of the show as planned and thus everything must be rearranged. She did that for me once. I had to muster up a lot of courage to tell her I couldn’t perform, too nervous with the thought of disappointing this important person who I respected. But the fear dancing inside me was replaced by her steps of love and true grace. Ashley is a person beyond performance; she is a woman of real action, of kindness, fresh ideas, classical technique, and coveted arches. Her vision and hard work make dreams come true - for her dancers, her assistants, and her friends; and I’m honored beyond compare to call myself all three.

My mother always has prided herself on raising a son that surrounded himself with some of the the best and kindest friends. I’ll agree and say I’ve been lucky. Which is why it’s such a big thing for me to say that Grant P. Ferris is the most genuinely kind, respectful, and friendly person I’ve maybe ever known. His mama raised him right. Thanks, Susan!

I sat five feet away from this guy for four years straight in high school, me on the drums and him on his electric guitar, which he affectionately referred to as Maxine. I can think of very few memories back as a teenager that beat jamming out with this guy, whether it was with a 70 piece pep band behind us, in an orchestral pit, or as a fake 80's British rock band named, Cheetah. Grant's impressive guitar skills have taken him across the nation. After high school he first moved to Denver, then San Francisco, then Nashville. But we’ve always made a point to stay in touch over the phone or in person over peanut butter chicken with broccoli at Fortune Palace. Each time we talk our friendship hasn’t missed a beat and I'm extremely thankful for that.

"...Of my friend, I can only say this... of all the souls I have encountered in my travels, his was the most... Human.” - James T. Kirk

It’s hard to talk about friendship without mentioning my green blooded, pointy eared, genius Chief Science Officer. Jim- full name generally considered unpronounceable to humans– is a male Human/Computer hybrid who has become one of the most distinguished and respected figures in my starship of friends. I love him for his intelligence and mindfulness as he voyages through frontiers of Science and Humanity.  But in all seriousness, Jim’s just one of the good guys, and his greatest hope is for the whole world to live long and prosper. 

"Look again at that dot. That's here. That's home. That's us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives. The aggregate of our joy and suffering, thousands of confident religions, ideologies, and economic doctrines, every hunter and forager, every hero and coward, every creator and destroyer of civilization, every king and peasant, every young couple in love, every mother and father, hopeful child, inventor and explorer, every teacher of morals, every corrupt politician, every "superstar," every "supreme leader," every saint and sinner in the history of our species lived there-on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam. The probability is the same.”  - James Earthwell (if Carl Sagan had not gotten to it first).

Erik and I met through Edward Jones during my time away in St. Louis. And even though Erik is from Iowa, I don't hold it against him since he's a Husker fan. Being able to relive the glory days of Nebraska football was like having a little piece of home with me down there. We found out that our family's seats in Memorial Stadium are within Runza chucking distance from each other (for all those curious, we actually haven't tried it; it’s just a strong hypothesis at this point) and ever since then we've connected on our shared values and helped support each other on our financial advising journey. A day in the office feels strangely incomplete without one of us calling the other's office only to have them pick-up and do their best job to try and make the other guy believe he's dialed the wrong number and called a different odd local business before breaking character and making sure the other guy is being productive that day.

While in St. Louis we found the best restaurants, stayed late at the office and ran into the Managing Partner of the firm, we went to the occasional sporting event, and with no other commitments down there were able to devote our time to important things like Netflix and the driving range. But even during all our time down there Erik never mastered the public transit system. Even if he says he's got your back, knows where he is, and knows what stop to get off on, there's a 50/50 chance he doesn't. You have to ask him about that one, it's hard to imagine ever laughing harder at what the equivalent of taking a wrong turn was.

I've known Erik for a relatively short time compared to the rest of my friends but consider him one of the closest.

"Know, oh friend, that between the years when the oceans drank Atlantis and the gleaming cities, and the years of the rise of the Sons of Aryas, there was an Age undreamed of, when shining kingdoms lay spread across the world like blue mantles beneath the stars—But the proudest kingdom of the world was Aquilonia, reigning supreme in the dreaming west. Hither came Preston Stevens, the Cimmerian, red-haired, sullen-eyed, sword in hand, a thief, a reaver, a slayer, with gigantic melancholies and gigantic mirth, to tread the jeweled thrones of the Earth under his sandalled feet."
—The Nemedian Chronicles

Let’s face it. There are very few people who can adventure the way Preston has and get away it; stealing away such mighty treasures. A wonderful wife, infant business, and infant baby boy just to name a few. He is an undefeated champion of hugs, sharing with with me such wisdoms as, “Never be the first to let go.”  I think that speaks volumes of his epic friendship and why I’ve known him ever since I can remember, back when he teamed up with my big brother. He probably has more experience points than anyone I know and could tell a tale or two, even a few about me. He’s maxed his willpower, brawn, and charisma through his many journeys and yet always strives to be better. That’s what inspires me most, his endless questing.

Phil and I got to know each other for a part of our college years, even though we graduated from the same high school, and then he moved to St. Louis for a girl. I mean he ended up marrying her, but still. Him moving to St. Louis was great though because I got to have a close friend to spend time with and help me learn the city while I was down there for seven months.

I would have never thought that I'd have so many close friends living away from Lincoln. Out of seven groomsmen and four ushers only 4 grew up and stayed in the Lincoln area. But Phil has always been meant for bigger things. And even though he's doing well down in St. Louis, I still think he should pursue a professional golfing career. Seriously, the guy has the sweetest swing I’ve ever seen. And although he’s tried to help my swing on dozens of occasions, I feel that I might be a lost cause.

Phil is also one of those guys that always has something new to talk about; some news story, idea, or factoid you've never heard of. For instance, did you know that George Washington, even though overwhelmingly thought of as, wasn't the actual first President of the United States? I didn't, but Phil did. Look it up if you don't believe him.

There was no possibility of taking a walk that day. The cold winter wind had brought with it clouds so sombre, and a rain so penetrating, that further outdoor exercise was now out of the question. Not to mention it is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single lady in possession of a good job in an office, must be in want of natural light from a window, as she is kept indoors from the hours of eight in the morning to five at night! 

However little known the feelings or views of such a Lady may be in the office, this truth is so well fixed in the minds of any surrounding females, as they may be like-minded and of kindred spirit. So is the spirit of “The Fair One,” Jennifer, as she entered Anna’s office cubicle that morning, not yet two years ago and brought with her the sunshine Anna so desperately needed.

The two blondes worked back to back encountering a menagerie of patients, problems, and prosperities that could only drive such ladies stuck in a cubicle to discuss the important matters of Jane Austen, insurance protocol, and the many fine qualities of Starbucks Refreshers all in the hours of one afternoon. And that, Dear Reader is how it all began and how we come here today to have a friendship built on the written word, extraordinary laughter, and martini’s.       

Ladies and gentlemen, Megan Nelson might be the luckiest girl in the world, because Ryan is the definition of a catch. Stylish, suave, sophisticated... These are words that maybe kinda sort of describe Ryan. Maybe a better set of words though would be selfless, role model, and leader.

I would be hard pressed to find a man more deserving of my respect than Ryan. He may occasionally forget about a birthday, but he is constantly thinking of others and putting them first. I see him do this with his family, his friends, and even strangers in the way he gives. Ryan is an excellent example of what it means to excel while keeping a balanced life. As hard as he works at his job, he gives the same amount of effort to being a great husband, father, and friend. If only we all had it figured out like Ryan does, the world would be a better place.

It is a pleasure to be friends with Donna Gould.   

It is a special pleasure to sit across from her at a tiny table in the corner of any restaurant (with a good wine selection) and discuss the many facets of life and literature until the whole evening is blackened and changed. With her cascading red coils spitting their venomous freedom upon the world, the beat of her own drum in her head, she lives life like the tireless hands of some amazing conductor playing all the symphonies, endeavoring to put out the blazing and burning to bring down the tatters and charcoal ruins of history. 

In other words she is like a rare bird: a beautiful, functioning, free spirit who soars with intelligence and poise. I befriended this allusive firebird years ago and attribute much of my success in life to her, the greatest of role models. How many people can say the wife of their brothers boss is one of their best friends? When I think about this convoluted tale of networking that ignited our friendship it makes me thank my lucky stars, for she is to be admired, honored, and cherished like a warm flame. From costume designing to crafts, from wine talks and laughs, from local business symposiums to Vail Colorado by train in the night, and all the way to becoming mother birds ourselves we continue to ignite each others creativity, and fill the shelves of our friendship like a library of memories. And if a day comes when we sit across from each other at a tiny table in the corner of a restaurant, with a good wine selection, in silence, it will be because there is everything to think about and much to remember. Cheers!