As the childhood best friend of one of my college best friends, Gretchen has always taken up space in my heart in a positive way. Whenever I would think of her, or she would come up in conversation, I would vividly remember her big smile, her warm spirit, and her fun laugh. Gretchen is a welcomer - someone who is happy to include anyone in her circle. Even if you haven’t seen her in years, she makes you feel like you just saw her last week. She’s a good spirit. A kind soul. Special in the specialest of ways.

And in everything that Gretchen brings to the table by way of excitement and welcoming, her husband Ryan brings a quiet, calm, and comfortable vibe. They are both warm in their own respective ways. And when they are together, their warmth glows that much brighter - like the haze around the sun on a hot summer day…