TWU by Jeff Rehmar | December 12 2024

Welcome to The World Unfolding! If you’re new here, this is where I share stories and reflections on the choices and experiences that shape our lives. From travel and coffee to golf and relationships, this newsletter is about exploring the richness of life and savoring the moments that make it all worthwhile. I started The World Unfolding in October 2024, and I’m thrilled to share that we’re already a community of 252 subscribers and growing! Whether you’ve been with me from the start or you’re just joining now, thank you for being part of this journey. My goal is to keep expanding this space into something meaningful and fun—a corner of your inbox where you can connect with ideas and stories that resonate.

For those who don’t know her, let me introduce Tori—my wife and partner in everything. We met on Bumble in 2021, proving that sometimes swiping right can lead to the love of your life. Tori is thoughtful, adventurous, and deeply values the relationships she builds. One of her most important connections is with Katie, her college roommate and best friend. Their friendship is a testament to how one choice can ripple through time, connecting lives in ways no one could predict. Today’s story is about that bond, how it began, and how two lives that look so different—one in rural Oregon, the other in busy suburban Southern California—are forever intertwined because of one shared decision.

Eighteen years ago, two young women made a decision that would change their lives. Tori and Katie both chose to attend the University of Portland for nursing. At the time, it seemed like a simple, logical choice—each wanted a solid education in a fun city. But the true impact of that decision would extend far beyond their classrooms, setting the stage for a friendship that has shaped their lives and connected our families. At first, Tori and Katie didn’t even realize the significance of their shared choice. During their freshman year, they were acquaintances, passing each other on campus and exchanging polite smiles but little else. They weren’t in the same social circles and didn’t spend time together outside of class. That changed during their junior year when Katie and her sister needed a roommate. Tori, ready for a new living situation, moved in.

Living together turned out to be transformative. What began as a practical arrangement—splitting rent and chores—evolved into a deep and lasting friendship. Nights spent talking in their shared apartment turned into years of laughter, trust, and mutual support. Katie’s calm, grounded personality balanced Tori’s energy and curiosity, and Tori drew Katie into new adventures and experiences. Together, they created a bond that felt more like family than friendship. 

After graduation, life took them in different directions. Katie stayed in Oregon, settling with her husband, Matt, in Monmouth, a small town in the heart of the Willamette Valley. Surrounded by vineyards, farmland, and rolling hills, Monmouth is the kind of place where life moves slower, neighbors know each other, and community is everything. An hour from both the Oregon coast and Portland, it’s perfectly positioned for quiet living with access to city vibrancy and natural beauty. Katie and Matt’s life is centered on family. They have four kids who fill their days with fun video games, school projects, and the everyday joys and challenges of parenting. Their home hums with the energy of a family of six. 

Meanwhile, Tori returned to Southern California, where she built a life rooted in the sunshine, ocean air, and a close circle of friends and family. Years later, when we met on Bumble, we quickly built a partnership focused on exploration and connection. Together, we’ve created a life filled with travel, long walks, and the kind of quiet joy that comes with building a strong foundation. Our days look very different from Katie and Matt’s, with no kids (yet) and plenty of room for spontaneity and exploration. Despite the distance and the differences between their rural life in Monmouth and our busy suburban existence in Southern California, Tori and Katie’s friendship has remained unshakable. That bond has become a cornerstone of both of our lives, connecting us to a family whose path is so different yet so intertwined with our own.

This past year has been a beautiful reminder of how that one shared decision to attend the University of Portland has continued to ripple through our lives. In February, Katie, Matt, and their kids flew to Kauai to celebrate our wedding. Katie was our matron of honor, delivering a heartfelt speech that captured the essence of their friendship. Her oldest daughter walked down the aisle as our flower girl, while her two sons carried the rings with a pride and seriousness that brought smiles to everyone’s faces. Their presence made our day richer, weaving their family into ours in a way that felt seamless. 

In April, we met up in Bend, Oregon, for a weekend filled with connection and laughter. Bend’s rugged beauty and relaxed atmosphere made it the perfect backdrop for hiking, sharing meals, and catching up on life. It was a celebration of friendship and a reminder of how much we’ve all gained from the bond that began in a shared college apartment. 

Then, in November, Tori and I visited Monmouth. As we drove through the Willamette Valley, the landscape opened into vast stretches of vineyards and farmland, dotted with barns and trees that seemed to guard the horizon. Monmouth is small but full of charm, with Western Oregon University lending a youthful energy and the surrounding countryside giving it a timeless serenity. Katie and Matt’s home buzzed with life. Their kids greeted us with excitement, eager to show off their track medals and tell us stories about their week. We spent mornings sipping coffee, afternoons exploring the valley and the Oregon coast, and evenings sharing family dinners around a table filled with conversation and laughter.

As I reflect on our time in Monmouth, I’m struck by how different our lives are yet how much we share. Katie and Matt’s life is grounded in family and routine—parent-teacher conferences, playgrounds, children’s museums, and nightly dinners.. Tori and I, on the other hand, enjoy the freedom that comes with this quieter chapter of our lives, one filled with coastal walks, coffee shop dates, and the promise of new adventures. Despite these differences, the values that connect us are the same: kindness, family, friendship, and a commitment to cherishing the people who matter most. Tori and I are inspired by the love Katie and Matt pour into raising their kids, while they admire how we’ve built a life focused on exploration and shared experiences. It’s a reminder that happiness doesn’t have a single definition. It’s about finding joy in the path you’ve chosen and celebrating the lives of those you love, even when they look different from your own.

That decision to attend the University of Portland set all of this in motion. It brought Tori and Katie together, creating a friendship that has endured across years and miles. It led to memories that span from college apartments to weddings in Kauai, from hiking in Bend to family dinners in Monmouth. Life is a series of choices, each one opening a door to something new. Often, we don’t realize the significance of a decision until years later, when we look back and see how far the ripples have spread. For Tori and Katie, that choice brought them a lifelong friend. For me, it brought a connection to a family that feels like an extension of my own. From the rolling fields of Monmouth to the beaches of Southern California, our lives may look different, but the ties that bind us are strong. Here’s to the roads we choose, the friendships we treasure, and the joy of seeing how it all unfolds.

📚 Weekly Book Recommendation: The Ride of a Lifetime by Bob Iger
This new weekly section was suggested by David in Louisville, KY—thank you, David.

For the first pick, a masterclass in leadership, creativity, and navigating change. In this memoir, Disney’s current CEO, Bob Iger shares invaluable lessons for anyone aiming to lead with vision and resilience. Whether you're building a business, shaping a brand, or simply looking to make bold decisions, this is a must-read.

Get it on Amazon
Disclaimer: I don't make any money from links—just sharing a great read.

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• The Art of Lifelong Friendships – Why meaningful connections matter.

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