Starting over is so difficult. It takes so much courage to uproot yourself from a long-term relationship. I did it myself a couple years ago, and it was one of the most difficult things I've ever done. Not only emotionally but also financially. I relied heavily on friends and had to dip into savings to be able to get myself back on my feet and stable. I vowed that if I was ever able to help a friend through a similar situation, I would do so without hesitation-- especially if children were involved.

I met Berri and her family 11 years ago in Wisconsin, and we became good friends quickly. We went bowling weekly and had long hang-out sessions on their couch listening to the Grateful Dead. I was sad to part ways when I moved to the Pacific Northwest. When Berri, her husband, and her daughter Stella moved out to Portland in early 2024, I was ecstatic to be reunited with them! Berri has since changed professions from being a food scientist to working with autistic children at a therapeutic center.

Unfortunately, people grow and change... and what started with a charming movie date and whirlwind romance almost 15 years ago is ending. Berri will be retaining custody of her daughter Stella, and they are looking to get out of their current living situation and on to new adventures. Splitting a household is financially devastating, and they are concerned they will have to wait until after tax returns next year before they would have enough saved up to pay for moving expenses and the fees associated with getting set up in a new apartment.

Stella is an amazing kid. At 10 years old, she is frequently as down-to-earth as an adult and is never afraid to offer her fresh perspective on things! I worry that if they split in the middle of the school year that she will be the new "transfer student" and have a brutal start to a new school with how mean kids can be to each other.

Berri and Stella's current goal is to move out by the end of August so that she can start 5th grade at a new school in September. I am going to do everything I can to help them, but we need your help to get them past this financial hurdle. Anything is appreciated! Thank you so much for reading and for caring about these amazing people I am so lucky to have in my life!