In the nearly 25 years I have been blessed to call Jason one of my dearest friends, there was never an adventure opportunity that kept Jason’s passport far from his pocket. One of my most treasured memories of Jason put both of our passports to great use. We had only known each other for a few years and were still wide-eyed Aggies at UCD. Jason was going to study abroad for the second time during his academic career – destination Beijing. Jason knew I was looking to travel for a quarter or so before we began the final year of college. After roping me into taking a quarter of Mandarin Chinese, he pointed out that spending time in the Far East would be an adventure like none other and I could practice my Chinese. Little did I know this experience would impact the rest of my life. After Jason was settled into his Chinese academic routine, I met him in Beijing in the fall of 1992. We travelled through China until March of the following year. Home base was the roach filled dorm at Beijing University. Our adventures in China included being followed by the Chinese Woody Allen (as we named him) in -80o temperatures during the Winter Ice Festival, jumping off the Great Wall of China (not thinking about how we were going to get back up), taking 2 underground trains, 1 bus and a taxi all to get holiday ice cream (when it was snowing), haggling along Efu Alley with the various vendors (photo above with our favorite vendor who we affectionately referred to as our Chinese Grandmother) and my favorite memory was spending the holidays at the China World, which at the time was the only 5 star hotel in China. As young collegiates abroad, we saved our yuan, packed a light bag left the dorm and headed for the comforts of the western style posh hotel. After Jason checked in with the front desk, he collected the keys put his arm around me, gave me a kiss on the check and whispered to me to “just go with it” as we walked toward the lobby. Later away from bugs and spying ears Jason clued me in … he was now my husband, at least as far as the hotel was concerned. He explained that the hotel was not going to let us stay if were not betrothed. Now nearly 25 years later, Jason remains my “first husband.” I still have the birthday and special occasion cards and notes signed “Your Hubby” that Jason sent in the decades following our priceless Chinese adventure. When Jason flew up to attend my real wedding, he signed the card to my husband, Kevin, and me “Love Shelley’s First Hubby, Jason.” Jason your love of adventure, sense of humor and sense of self were contagious. I will always treasure our months in China and our years of friendship. You gave me a view of the world and an appreciation of travel that will always be with me. Zàijiàn wǒ qīn'ài de péngyǒu wéi shíguò zǎo...... -Shelley Hamilton Bruer