I was housesitting for someone at an apartment called The Vera in downtown Portland in October of 2021 when my friend snapped me asked if someone she knew could crash at my place. Although I was weary of letting a stranger spend the night at an apartment that wasn't even my own, I understood the struggle of couch surfing so on a Sunday night in mid October I met Andres. He and I instantly hit it off- we talked about light hearted stuff at first and then the conversation got deeper. I made him jackfruit breakfast burritos and he didn't complain about them being meat free which was a first. He told me about his school memories and we laughed a lot. He also opened up & his story broke my heart. We continued to hang out after that, taking walks and smoking, and we would check in on each other almost everyday and have long conversations online. He was one of the few males that wasn't a pervert; he treated me with decency and respect. I was younger than him and he probably just didn't see me like that but the fact that he pursued a friendship with me even after I wasn't able to shelter him meant a lot to me. Talking to him was one of the highlights of my day back then because I was living Ina homeless shelter and in an abusive relationship. Andres would always check in on me when I posted emo stuff on social media. I fucked up though, and let my ex manipulate me into cutting him off. I kept him added on snap in hopes that one day I'd be able to leave him and be friends with Dre, but by the time I snapped his account it was his sister.... I am so sorry to the family & loved ones of Ernesto; he was taken from us too soon. He talked to me about wanting a kids someday, having an art night where we painted airforces, and he talked about how much he cared about his family that was still living and that he would do anything to protect y'all.  Dre was kind, funny, authentic, brave, and loved harder than most. I still love him with all my heart and am angry at myself for cutting him off at a time he was struggling the most. When I am more financially secure (I'm still struggling with homelessness) I will donate. In the mean time I'm going to try to find every photo or video of Andres because I didn't get enough time with his beautiful spirit :'( REST IN PEACE ERNESTO ANDRES LOPEZ MAY U PROTECT UR FAMILY FROM THE OTHER SIDE