Meet The Roomies: Marlee

Ok everyone. Prepare to meet one of the most influential and inspirational people you will ever come across. Meet Marlee. Now, Marlee isn't a current resident at the Stumble Inn, but she lived there this past summer, and truly left her mark there forever. Marlee is a junior at the University of Michigan studying Women's Studies. Additionally, she is the president of her sorority, Delta Gamma. Yes she is busy, and yes she will probably one day run the world, but that doesn't stop her from being kind-hearted.

Marlee and I met in spanish class our freshman year of college. But we barely knew each other, sat on opposite sides of the room, and didn't talk. So obviously we are best friends because of spanish class. LOL, no. Marlee and I really met at the end of our sophomore year when she became my summer sub-leaser. Marlee and I decided to meet at Starbucks to sign the lease, and that was supposed to be all. However, our fifteen minute lease-signing meeting turned into a one and a half hour coffee chat followed by a 45 minute shopping trip. And we lived happily ever after.

Marlee and I obviously became close friends very quickly. Marlee's smile doesn't only light up a room, but her genuine interest in what other people have to say is truly remarkable. Having a conversation with Marlee is probably what it felt like to have a conversation before technology. Marlee doesn't look at her phone or text or instagram while you are talking to her. Her attention is yours, and that really does make a person feel special.

If I haven't made it clear enough yet that Marlee is awesome, let me tell you a story that will convince you:
'Twas the night before Thursday, and all through the house,
the wine was a pouring, and not in a blouse
but a leopard print onesie Marlee had worn,
and just like that, the night was born.
She laughed and she joked but what had come next,
she hid under our table, scared and perplexed.
For she assumed that the boy who had entered the room
was a robber there to steal her, and her onesie too.
She laughed and cried and fell shortly after,
while the rest of us were still consumed with laughter.

And if THAT didn't convince you, then you can find the ultimate Marlee story on the "How it Began" page of this website.

All in all, my fingers are crossed that Marlee will be in my life until the day I die. The light and life she brings to all situations is rarely found. Now, I know what you're thinking, she sounds like the perfect girl, but I'm sorry everyone, she is taken by everyone's favorite guy. And I am so excited to one day plan her dream wedding complete with sunflowers and boat anchors.

Marlee, I hope you know how much you mean to me, the ladies of the Stumble Inn, and every life you touch. Thank you for starting The Stumble Inn with some amazing stories to last a life time.

Meet The Roomies: Ellen

If you know Ellen, you are one lucky ducky. As a matter of face, I met Ellen by luck, too. Ellen and I first met our freshman year at Umich in greek life rush line. Her last name starts with "st" and so does mine, so naturally we were put next to each other. We were two nervous, nerdy, adorable freshman ready to take Ann Arbor my storm. However, I quit rush after the first round (greek life isn't for everyone), and Ellen stuck around to get a bid from Alpha Delta Pi. Although I didn't continue my greek journey, Ellen and I kept in touch, exchanging party clothes and eating lunch together when we could. We started to lose touch just when fate put us back into each others arms. We both needed somewhere to live our junior year, and by chance, our friends formed a group that we were both part of. I couldn't contain my happiness when I found out Ellen and I would be roomies (after all, her last name in my phone is still "rush").

Ellen is a junior in the engineering school at the University of Michigan. She's super smart. She even had this awesome job this summer where she did research on mice and their ovaries! That may have been too much information for you to handle, but I hope it gives you an idea of how cool Ellen (and engineering) is.

As Ellen and I lived at the Stumble Inn together this past summer, we found out we have a lot in common. We both love to paint, work out, eat, eat before we workout, eat after we workout, a passion for interior design, Pinterest, Orange is the New Black, movies, and the list goes on and on. Not only do Ellen and I share interests and passions, but we also have in common life experiences which make it that much more comfortable to be around her, knowing that she understands some of what I have been through in this journey we call life.

Ellen and I were attached at the hip for a lot of the summer, and I truly would have had it no other way (I'm pretty sure much of the ab workout I got this summer was from Ellen making me laugh). One of my favorite memories of the summer with Ellen was when we laid out a blanket on our front lawn one evening, opened our computers, put our headphones in, and separately watched episodes of Orange is the Black. Yes, we are that comfortable with each other that we sat in silence watching the same television show, while people walked by and caught parts of the show's lesbian sex on our computer screens. Oh, college.

If there is anyone in the world I want my children one day to call "Aunty", Ellen is that person. The way she genuinely cares about people and the world is a quality you don't come across everyday. Everything she touches turns to sunshine. She has a way with making you feel better, and she is the kind of person you can be 100% yourself around and feel 100% comfortable. Ellen is studying abroad this semester, and I am truly counting down the days until she returns so she can once again be my partner in crime. If one day you get to meet Ellen, just smile. Because you just became a very lucky ducky yourself.

Meet the Roomies: Gauree

"Hi guys, I'm Gauree". These four words were probably the most comforting words Lauren and I heard on our first day of college freshman year. We had just moved in to our dorm room excited to meet new friends. However, our door had been open all day and barely anyone had even been in the hallway, let alone had been brave enough to venture in to our room. That was until a tiny girl in a purple skirt put on her big girl panties and decided to meet the neighbors. She was sweet, kind of shy, and even invited us out that night with her. Lauren and I couldn't have been more excited. Although I knew she was a sweet girl even in that first moment of meeting her, I knew we would get along well when she had the three of us use Capri-Sun juice pouches as a chaser that night before going to a party.

And I was right.

Ever since then, Gauree has been one of my closest friends. I was right during my first impression when I said she was sweet, but shy went out the window. Gauree is funny, clumsy, entertaining, the best baker you will ever meet, and one of the smartest, most well-spoken people I know. Her kind heart draws friends to her, but her loyal disposition is what makes them stay.

Gauree is a junior in the Ross School of Business at The University of Michigan. Although she is in the business school, she dreams of one day opening her own bakery in downtown Chicago. And I have faith that she will one day accomplish this goal.

Aside from her love of food and baking, Gauree has a love for children. Our freshman year, she worked at the day care on campus, always coming home with stories of how much the children loved her and how rewarding it was to be with them. One day, Gauree will be the best mom out there. She will probably have a room completely dedicated to arts and crafts and a second kitchen used just for baking.

Living across the hall from Gauree freshman year and down the hall from her sophomore year makes me even that much more excited to see what adventures junior year will bring. Whether it be dancing all night at a party, watching a movie with popcorn, or trudging to Insomnia Cookies in the dead of winter, I can always count on Gauree (and the food she brings), to be by my side no matter what. She will always be a friend, but she will forever be a sister.

p.s. Yes, Gauree does love food, but she is always fit, goes to the gym everyday, and forces me to do ab workouts (which I usually quit halfway through).

Meet the Roomies: Lindsay

Everyone say hi to Lindsay! Lindsay is a junior in the engineering school at The University of Michigan. Not only is she studying engineering, but she is studying nuclear engineering! Woah! Yes, Lindsay is smart. Very smart. Not only is Lindsay smart when it comes to school. But she is smart when it comes to life. Lindsay knows that people should be treated with respect and kindness, and that no one is better than anyone else.

Lindsay is the type of person you meet and instantly want to be friends with because of her genuine interest in the lives of others. She's a good listener, which in turn makes her an even better friend. There have been plenty of times I have noticed myself venting to Lindsay about my life and my problems, not even realizing the things I am saying. However, being around Lindsay is comfortable, and she knows how to make someone feel lucky, happy, and included. She is willing to do what it takes to make her friends feel great, and that is why we love her.

The first time I met Lindsay was outside of the student union on campus. She was in the midst of choosing which sorority to pledge, and couldn't have been any more calm about it. While almost every other girl around us was in tears or screaming or hugging each other due to nerves, Lindsay stood there in her sneakers and jeans with her hands in her pockets, a huge smile on her face, asking if I wanted to go to Buffalo Wild Wings to get food. It was at this moment I knew Lindsay would be a fun one.

And I was right. Although she spends a lot of time working and studying, Lindsay knows how to have fun. Whether it be tailgating a football game or dancing at a fraternity house, Lindsay knows that at the end of the day, she doesn't need to take herself too seriously. While I'm not sure she knows it, I'm pretty sure her secret motto is 'work hard, play hard'.

Meet the Roomies: Lauren

Her parents call her Lauren, I call her Roomie. Lauren is a junior in the Ross School of Business at The University of Michigan. Lauren and I were introduced by our mutual best friend (Ellie) at a Taylor Swift concert when we were 15. We were friendly through high school, but decided to make our friendship official during high school senior spring break in Mexico, when Lauren and I decided to become freshman year room mates at the University of Michigan.

While Lauren and I are opposite when it comes to many things, we are perfect room mates, and even better best friends. She's the sass to my sweet and the brunette to my blonde. She put up with my massive collection of clothes, pink and sparkles in our dorm room (she's a saint for doing that). We still have crushes on Disney princes and are always willing to open a can of frosting, a box of graham crackers and have a Glee sing-along. Basically, if one of us were a boy we would be dating already.

Lauren is smart, strong, and one of the hardest workers I know. Our freshman year of college, while I embarrassingly watched nine seasons of One Tree Hill in one semester while sitting in our dorm room, Lauren spent countless late nights and early mornings at the library ensuring that she would be admitted to the Ross School of Business. And she reached her goal.

When Lauren wants something, she goes after it. It is that kind of passion that keeps me looking up to her, and thankful to have her in my life. Although she is pursuing a degree in business, her dream is to one day use that knowledge to open a non-profit to help the less fortunate. She may not always show it, but she has a giving heart, and is always there when you need a friend, a sister, or even someone to bake you a cake (her pumpkin chocolate chip cake is the best).

The best thing about having Lauren as my roommate aren't necessarily her baking skills, but it is that I know we will still be friends when we are 80, laughing about our crazy college years. We are already planning a trip to Europe after we graduate from Umich, and I can't think of a better person to have as my travel buddy.

Meet the Roomies: Kayla

Or as I call her, Captain Kayla. Kayla is a junior in the nursing school at The University of Michigan. She's sassy, fun, energetic, a great dancer, loyal, honest, and really keeps the Stumble Inn a functioning home.

I met Kayla my freshman year of college, but we didn't become close friends until this past summer. Although she may try to hide it with her sassy attitude, Kayla has one of the biggest hearts out there. She is a nanny, loves children, makes sure everyone is functioning when they have had one too many drinks, and is always there when you need a friend. Kayla has helped the Stumble Inn become a family, and we couldn't thank her more.

Not only do we call her Captain Kayla, but I also refer to her as Mom. She keeps everyone on their toes when it comes to chores, she keeps in touch with our land lord, constantly has car seats in her car for when she babysits, and when she isn't turning up the music at a party, you can find her cooking in the kitchen creating her next masterpiece.

Kayla is someone that has reminded me time and time again that friends aren't just friends, they are family. Kayla is someone who has picked me up and dusted me off during a rough times, and reminded me that families are always there for each other through thick and thin. Although she has had to tell me things I don't always want to hear, I know that I can always count on her for the honest truth, and I always thank her in the end.

If you are lucky enough to every meet Kayla, don't hug her right away. Don't worry though, she will warm up. And if you are really lucky, she will make you cheesy ramen. But that, my friends, is a story for another time.

Meet the Roomies: Zoe

My philosophy is that it doesn’t matter where you are or what you’re doing, but whom you’re with. I love people. I love meeting new people and hearing their stories and learning about where they come from and who they are. People I decide to keep close to me are people I trust and people that inspire me to be a better Cheyenne. So I would like to introduce you to the roomies of The Stumble Inn, so they can inspire you just like they have inspired me.

Meet Zoe. Zoe lived in the Stumble Inn during the summer, and although she won’t be a permanent roomie for the school year, she already has a drawer in my room for when she decides to spend the night.

Zoe is a junior in the honors college at the University of Michigan in the school of Organizational Studies with a minor in Philosophy. She is also on the executive board of her sorority, Alpha Delta Pi.

To be honest, Zoe is probably one of the most inspirational people I have ever met. She is genuinely interested in people; she loves trying new things, enjoys soaking up the sun, never puts down her ukulele, is fun loving, and knows how to turn your frown upside down. Zoe and I met only a few short months ago and we are already best friends. From long walks, to tanning on our roof, to ditching the bars to go to the ice cream shop, we have squeezed so much in to our short friendship.  We even had a combined birthday party in July!

The fact that Zoe and I clicked so quickly reminded me that people are the key to being content and satisfied with life. Best friends don't care what you're wearing, how frizzy your hair is or whether or not you put on mascara. They only care about the ways you can make them laugh and what flavor ice cream you have in the fridge for that night's movie. College life sometimes becomes so busy that we lose track of what's important. We lose track of the fact that although we are here for an education, we are also here to find our bridesmaids, our future spouses, and the people we want to be doing wheelies on our wheel chairs with when we are 90 years old. Parties and drinking and beer pong and tail gates are all really great, but how much fun are you really going to have if the people there aren't who you want to be spending your time with? 

Zoe is a person who will remind you that tomorrow is a new day, the sun will rise again, and no matter what you’ve been through, you have a friend waiting in the light at the end of the tunnel.