That Girl Jess

Jessica: Day 1. Chicago doorstep.

When people ask me how I know my roommate Jessica, it's hard to give a straight answer. The conversation usually goes: "Well... she's a friend of a friend of a friend...on Facebook. Nope we didn't know each other before she moved in. I guess we had one skype conversation. Oh, well we also followed each other on Instagram. Does that count? ....I guess we just knew it was meant to be."

Craigslist bike adventure.

Chalktionary. King Kong. Flustered Jessica.

City celebrations. Guthrie's.

Jessica showed up on our doorstep after 18 hours on the road from Orlando, where she spent 3 months loving on girls, building community, and digging deeper into what the Lord had for her. On our first Welcome to the Neighborhood tour in June, Jessica shivered in the 60 degree temps and gave a startled, wide-eyed stare at the El train traveling overhead. She asked: "Where is the Lincoln Park?" and mimicked a midwestern accent (later we told her it's Minnesota). Six months ago, this San Diego lady was just a beginner in the grand city of Chicago.

Crew.

Midwest roadtrips.

lakeside with roomies.

But within only a few weeks, she was hosting friends from out-of-town, taking the train to work, and shedding off those layers of winter clothes in June. She caught the vision for our summer movie nights, invested in a craigs-listed bike, compiled a film from our camping trip, joined a gospel community at Missio Dei, found her own way to the lake, grabbed Potbelly on-the-go, planned brunches with friends, and hosted Family Dinners. So, it only made sense to us when she told us in July that she would be here longer than she intended. After all, the summer can be pretty convincing in Chicago.

Epic day. So epic.

Family Dinners. High/Lows and Ramdoms.

To be honest, I can't imagine what this season would've looked like without Jessica. She embraces everything with full speed, she lives passionately, she dedicates her life to loving people, she pursues God with her whole heart... She has a witty sense of humor, an uncanny eye for design, creativity and drive oozing from her, and a soul that cares more for others than for herself. Every day, the three of us somehow found ourselves gathered around the kitchen bar or the bathroom... and it's those moments I will miss. In so many ways, she helped link our Chicago community together and was the one that sealed friendships in this city.

Movie nights. So many.

Cookie sandwiches.

Lily.

With her upcoming leave date of Dec 1, we've been marathon-ing our before-Jessica-leaves-us bucket list. It's hard to put into words how much we will miss this dearheart. To us, she has become family... and although the Lily has seen a few roomie transitions, we can all acknowledge that once again, lily life won't be the same without a piece of our family. Once a lily, always a lily. (Cheesy?? Deal with it.) We love her and are sad to see her go.

Playing with film around the city.

Seasonal love before she's out.

Life will not be the same without you! Love you Jess.