My big brother Jesse was very close with Jared, so by association, I feel like Jared was my childhood friend too. As a silly little sister, neither of them would have had to let me play with them, but they were both so accepting of me and always let me have a turn or altogether join in on the video games they played. I don’t think very many little girls are so lucky to have had older boys in their lives that are that incredibly sweet. When I played with Jesse and Jared were some of the times I laughed the hardest growing up. Sometimes, Jared would play our piano and I’d listen and tell him to play this song or that song, and miraculously, he’d always be able to figure out the right notes and chords without any sheet music, simply by ear. He could pull together a song like magic. I could feel the excitement emanating off of him when he’d play Pirates of the Caribbean. He was first and foremost part of my life because of my big brother, but I always looked forward to when Jared would come to visit. 

Jared was a childhood friend of mine. I have so many memories of summers together at camp and going over to each other’s houses afterwards. I remember playing legos all over our houses and having adventures with them. Sometimes our Lego adventures would continue on to video games like Lego Indiana Jones. One of our other favorite games to play together was Mario Kart. No one could beat Jared at Mario Kart. Of all the races we ever played (and there were many) I only remember beating him 2 times. Whenever I play Mario Kart I still think of my friend Jared, and always will.

Jared’s sister Lindy is a dear childhood friend of mine, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen the family but I still love them so very much! The most I can remember is running and playing with them at their old house in GC, Ohio and the daycare where our mothers worked.

My heart is broken for Jared's family.  He was and will always be loved.