Jacob Marshall

As the love of my life, Hae-jin, celebrates another lap around the sun, I celebrate the woman she is and continues to become. Always inviting us to find the hidden beauty, she is a way-finder, a dreamer, a builder, a healer and a warrior for the light.

She has shed the black of Brooklyn for her “pinku” era, inspired by the subtle softening of life on the West Coast. Re-inspired by the iconic Lisa Frank, whose trapper keeper art work offered early mystical visions to the young panda, she has inhabited her favorite shade of pink.

This year has given us the chance to come out of the lab and introduce our work with @applied_wonder to the world.

So many of our collaborators have become our dearest friends. They have showed up again and again to help us in ways that remind us of the true power of community.

And Haej found a new power in her voice. It’s hard to believe, but she used to have stage fright from years of being the “new kid” as her family moved frequently because of military service. She now speaks with an authority forged by experience.

And she brings Wonder everywhere she goes ✨

And spits poetic wisdom with the greatest of the greatest 😎

We traveled north this year to the great state of Alaska with some of our best friends to share the gift of the mystical northern lights.

We also said a sacred farewell to our beloved Gogi as she crossed the rainbow bridge.

But we were comforted by the most mythical group of humans.

And her friendships span all ages. @jeremyboxer shared the gift of his mother with us and she has become a beloved member of our chosen family.

The pacific has been good to us both and there is something about the fluency of light that makes her eyes shine even brighter. As we look ahead, we are grateful for each of you who have been there with us. We are inspired by how you show up.

She is my light and I realize she is also so many other’s as well. We all celebrate you today @yihaejin and we love you more than words can say.