Jarrod

My dear friend, Amy (read more about her here), introduced me to Jarrod one Saturday afternoon when we rode our bikes to his house from her house.  We lived in Germany, and you can't drive until you are 18, so we did a lot of bike riding.  I stayed the night at Amy's house, and borrowed one of her bikes--possibly her mom's.  We must have ridden at least 6 or 7 miles to his house.  He was sitting on his porch steps waiting for us (I assume Amy had called and told him we were on our way--I don't remember exactly), and he was as kind and nice as Amy had described him.



Jarrod is at the very top on the right. 
Serena, Helen, and I are on the left in the middle.

Jarrod is brilliant.  He graduated third in our high school class and went to WPI where he got his undergrad and grad degree in five years.  The only other person from our class who did this to my knowledge was yours truly, but I certainly didn't finish third in our class!  He took all the A.P. classes our school offered and the highest level of German (was it German V?).  Did I mention he is brilliant? 

 



AP English class. 
Jarrod is on the left looking like he is about to slide down the mountain!

We were in A.P. English, and U.S. Government/Economics together.  Helen (read more about Helen here)and I sat behind him and Serena (read more about Serena here) in Government class, and we used to toss paper wads back and forth.  So childish, I know, but in our defense, it was the last hour of the school day, and it was our senior year, and we had senioritis, and, well....what more can I say?   We were also on the tennis team together with Helen.



AP English Class

Jarrod considered himself conservative when it came to politics, much to the chagrin of our liberal friend, Serena.  Our teacher, Mr. Gage (read about Mr. Gage here), had us take a survey in class, and Jarrod's results showed he was much more liberal than he originally thought.  Serena was delighted to hear this!  Jarrod maintained his conservatism.

 

Such an adorable couple!

Jarrod was in student government.  He was our senior class president, and Denise was either the secretary or the treasurer.  They were "just friends," and never dated in high school.  It wasn't until they were both in college that they fell in love and later married!   How endearing is that?  They now live in Colorado and have two beautiful children that look like a mini-Jarrod and a mini-Denise!   So precious!   I love that they knew each other through high school and have that history together.  They are both gentle, kind souls, extremely talented, and very much in love. 



Jarrod and Tim are on the far left.  Serena and I are across from
them, and Helen is on my right.  Kalin, Meg and Bill are across
from her, and Ron is at the end of the table.

Serena, Jarrod, Tim, and I attended senior prom together.  Serena and Jarrod took care of the details.  We met at Serena's house, and Tim and Jarrod presented us with yellow roses.  (Serena and I joked about this later and remarked that they were making sure we all knew we were just going to be friends.  We got the signal loud and clear!).  They were both perfect gentlemen, and our table was filled with tons of our friends.  It was a fun night taking place in a castle.  That was commonplace in Europe to have prom in a castle.  Doesn't it sound so extravagant?

 

Peter, John, and Jarrod in Amsterdam on Senior Skip Day

Jarrod was with us on the famous trip to Amsterdam on Senior Skip Day.  That was such a fun day!  I can't help but think of him and the rest of the crew whenever I drink an Orange Malibu.  

 

Jarrod is in there somewhere...Serena, Kari,
and I are on the bottom step on the right

Jarrod also participated in the amazing, very memorable, once-in-a-lifetime-experience, Czechoslovakian Student Exchange Program.  We walked all over Prague and spent much time at the Bunker.  Our group also toured the Jewish Cemetery and the Bones Cathedral, two very solemn visits.  We went ice skating, rode the metro, and saw as much of the city as possible.  When the Czech students came to visit us in Germany and the Netherlands, we took them to see Robin Hood Prince of Thieves starring Kevin Costner and Christian Slater.  We had already seen the movie and wanted to chat and make comments throughout, but the Czech students were seeing it for the first time and trying to translate the English to their language.  When we realized what was happening and how rude we were being, we stopped instantly...but we all belted out the Bryan Adams song at the end, "Everything I Do (I Do for You)." 

 

I am grateful for Jarrod's friendship.  I don't ever remember him saying an unkind word to or about anyone.  He was very focused, a great listener, and so much fun to be with.  He was voted "Most Likely to Succeed" our senior year along with Serena.  And I truly believe he has.  He works hard, adores his family, and loves life.  He maintains that he lives in the best state in the union, and he takes advantage of all the hiking and skiing that Colorado has to offer.  It has been a distinct honor to know him and call him my friend.  I hope nothing but life's very best for him and his sweet family now and always.