Jordan Stunts
The One and Only Uncle Jordan
When I developed a crush on Ben Dehr and started dating him freshman year, it was unspoken but understood that Jordan Sheely was part of the package. You don’t get one without the other. Now that I think of it, I probably met you both at the same time. Spending time with Ben meant spending time with you too, but that was never a drawback. After graduation, you and I would drive down to Muncie together to visit Ben on weekends. When we got married, you were right by our sides. When we had kids, you were first in line to come meet the babies. It's so easy to lose touch with friends after you start having kids and making your own life, especially if your friends aren’t in the same spot in their lives, but you never let that happen. You made it your responsibility to keep showing up for us, meeting us where we were, joining us for the mundane day to day things or inviting us up to the lake house. The Fridays that you came over for pizza and movie night were the boys’ favorites. They would have all kinds of things to show you: new toys or new tricks or jokes you hadn’t seen or heard yet. I remember one year Ben was out of town for work over his birthday. You asked about pizza and movie night that week, and we said that Ben wouldn’t be there. Rather than bowing out, you asked if you could come over anyway and hang out with the boys to give me a little break from my solo parenting stint. It didn’t matter that it happened to be your own birthday. There was nowhere else you’d rather be. As impossible as it feels that you’re really gone and as painful as it is to all of us that pizza and movie nights will look different now, we’re so grateful for all the ways you showed up for us and loved us. I’m so grateful you didn’t resent me stepping into your friendship with Ben. I’m so grateful for the way you’ve been an amazing friend to Ben, and to me too. The relationship you built Frankie and Gus was so special. We’ll keep your memory alive, and we’ll watch Cars when we’re missing you extra (“He did what in his cup?!” Love ya big 🤟🏻
