1. I met Jared years ago when I was a recently returned missionary going to BYU. Jared was hired to work on the web team where I worked, and we quickly struck it off as friends. We shared interests in music, rock climbing, and computers. Jared was so easy to talk to, with a kind smile, that it was impossible not to become friends. That summer kicked off lots of good memories with Jared. We went climbing in Rock Canyon, we listened to Dave Matthews band and Coldplay, and sometimes we jammed on guitar and drums, trying to imitate Jack Johnson (and mostly failing miserably). Jared was always relaxed and carefree. He left a mark of friendship that I'll never forget.
2. I remember a few times where Jared, myself, and a few other friends went up the canyons around Springville, Mapleton and Spanish Fork. All it took was a quick phone call to Jared and he was ready to go have a good time outdoors. Once, we took a new telescope and went up Payson Canyon as the sun set. We looked at the moon and stars and enjoyed the cool air of the evening. Another time, shortly before I got married, a few of us rode in Jeeps up Spanish Fork Canyon. I remember rounding a corner of the dirt road at the perfect time to see the sun go down over the horizon. That was the Mormon equivalent of a bachelor's party....jeeping in the mountains on a summer evening. That was another moment I'll always remember when I think of Jared's friendship.
3. While in college, Jared met someone in my single's ward that he wanted to go out with. I asked the girl's sister out and we set up a double date. That night, we went to Park City and had a good time walking around the city. My date was deathly allergic to peanuts. We tried to find a place that wasn't too expensive to eat dinner, but finally succumbed to our stomachs and paid what he had to to eat in Park City, and it wasn't cheap. Jared insisted that we get some dessert. We ate, and noticed that the ice cream had something nutlike on it. We asked the waiter and he said that it might have peanuts in it. My date started freaking out, considering herself poisoned. We left and she was afraid she'd have a bad allergic reaction. On our way back we stopped and gave her a priesthood blessing. She was cured and didn't show any additional symptoms. Those girls never expressed any more interest in another date :).
4. In 2006, I got engaged to be married. I asked two men to be my best men: my brother, Jared, and Jared Badger. I thought of both as my best friends, and the fact that they shared a first name seemed cool to me. When my wedding day came, both Jareds were late; my brother had a delayed flight, and Jared Badger quietly arrived in time to ask me if there was anything be could do. I asked for some food, because I was literally starving to death and suffering in the heat on a hot July day. He did a Wendy's run and brought me some chicken nuggets and fries that I scarfed down in the middle of the reception. Nuggets never tasted so good.
I haven't seen Jared very much since that day. We've talked a few times, and I hoped we'd get more chances to hang out. I guess I'll have to wait a while longer for that time, but I look forward to enjoying more time with him someday.
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