March Forth

Pictured: Ann and Collin. Circa whenever puka shells were a thing. Hot take: They’re a thing again!

If we ever needed an anthem to help us process the second anniversary of a global pandemic, it would have to be this: march forth. March forth. Keep going. Don't stop now.

I've watched so many of you embody this acclamation in the last 24 months. You've been knocked down, but you've gotten back up. You've been locked down, but you found ways to connect. You've driven by. You've delivered. You've door dashed. You've learned to bake a solid loaf of sourdough, kept up with the youths on TikTok, and mastered the art of muting yourself on Zoom. Everything seemed to come to a crashing halt last year- but you didn't. You opened your eyes at the start of each new day, you pulled on a pair of sweatpants, and you kept marching on. And watching you do this day after day kept me going too.

I've been impressed by so many kinds of people during this pandemic- teachers, parents, healthcare workers, grocery clerks, don't even get me started on the kids. But the ones I keep coming back to and watching with wonder are the small business owners. To me, they are the heartbeat of creativity, and as long as they keep dreaming - marching forth towards the future - so can I.

This month, with our marching mantra in mind, I knew I had to introduce to you Ann and Collin Schneider. These two entrepreneur extraordinaires have quite the story. They met their freshman year of high school. They became fast friends, sealing the deal as officially official boyfriend and girlfriend by the end of their sophomore year - ah, sweet 16. They both began working in the coffee industry at 17 and soon started dreaming about owning their own shop one day. They got married, had two incredible kids that would steal your heart, and just ten years after they first imagined their one-day coffee house - the dream became a reality with the opening of Tried & True Coffee Co. in Corvallis, Oregon. Along with T&T, they also own their own roastery - Bespoken Coffee Roasters. And just before 2020 hit, Ann and her amazing friend Kristina opened Merit Goods, selling one-of-a-kind vintage home wares. Time keeps marching on and so do they - their hands always working on something new and exciting, their head in the clouds thinking about what could be next. 

I remember the day that I met them. The last day of July almost 7 years ago. My husband, Craig, and I were photographing our close friends' wedding, and I saw Ann in the corner tinkering with a bouquet of flowers. I immediately thought, "you need to know her". That was super creepy, so when we were introduced, I decided not to tell her about the voice in my head. Instead, I just watched her and Collin from a distance for the rest of the day like a normal, you know, regular kind of stalker. My birthday was coming up a few weeks later. I mentioned to Craig that we should totally invite them to the BBQ. And wouldn't you know - he did! And they said yes! And there it started - the beginning of a beautiful thing.

Our relationship is less creepy now. I actually know them instead of just telling myself that I should. And even though I've stopped peering at them from the back of the room, I still get the honor of cheering them on from the sidelines. I watch the Schneiders in complete awe as they faithfully tend to their brick and mortar businesses while continuing to reach for more. And although this past year brought down many strikes from an iron hammer, they didn't quit, and more than that, they kept creating.

I wanted to introduce them to you. I wanted you to be encouraged by their grit, just as I have been these past few years. I needed to ask them how, and why, and what. And I am so glad that I did. Please enjoy my conversation with Ann below:

If we ever needed a rallying cry one year into this pandemic, I think 'march forth' would be a great place to start. What kept you moving forward this year?

Even though the natural pace of life slowed down, the realities and responsibilities of life didn't. There was no option to stop. It felt like a call to action. We've just tried to do the ‘next right thing' and not lose hope that better days are ahead of us. Even though the day-to-day has been extremely hard at times, in the big picture of life, this period isn't forever.

You've spoken that over me so many times as of late. This isn't forever. Don't lose hope. And it's always exactly what I need to hear. But more than words, you've embodied it for me by finding little ways to connect with people. Can you share a special moment that gave you hope for the future this past year?

There really have been so many. I think the small victories are just as important as the big victories right now. It has been so hard not to have any in-person staff events. That camaraderie is something that's been desperately missing from our shops. So we've been trying to go big on even the smallest of things. For Christmas and New Years', I made gift bags for everybody that included vintage glasses, champagne, candles, confetti, etc. We had a staff zoom meeting to open them together and took turns saying what we were grateful for in 2020, ending with a toast. It was only an hour or so, but just to see everyone's smiles, it was truly a special moment.

Say more! You two are such great hosts. It's part of the reason you add so much beauty to my life and to the City of Corvallis. How do you make something as delicate as creating community look so natural? 

My heart song is hospitality; it's what makes me feel alive and fulfilled as a person. I don't even need to be at whatever it is I planned; just setting it up and watching people come together is enough for me!

I keep cluing into the verbiage you use when you talk about this past year- words like together, camaraderie, in-person, everybody, everyone. I can't help but wonder if it's the missing link to those of us who feel stuck when thinking about moving forward. 

I've found that when I get outside my own head and start thinking about the well-being of others, intentionally praying for them, caring for them, being there for them, my joy abounds. You don't have as much time to think about yourself and dwell on all the ways you fall short when you're busy spending that time loving others. There have been many times in the last year that I have felt completely stripped of joy, alone in my own thoughts. I can confidently say that I am my own worst company. But I've learned that my joy comes from loving the Lord and the people around me with all that I am.

You're preaching to me! The moments I felt lost this year, I was so inward-focused. But maybe I was just stuck when I was stuck in my head. When I could move my thoughts outside of my circumstances, my actions moved forward too. I see now that it's hard to move anywhere if our eyes aren't looking out to where we're headed. I'm so grateful for that reminder from you. Do you have anything to say to our readers who feel stuck or unsure about the future?

This is not our 'new normal.' Life will return to what it previously was someday but ten times better because we've all realized how desperately we need one another! It has already been a year, yes, but how fast has that year gone by? Hope is on the horizon, dear one.

Yes, it is. Let's keep our eyes on the skyline and march forth together.

Wanna learn more about The Schneiders?

March along with them on their journey over at Tried & True Coffee Co., Bespoken Coffee Roasters, and Merit Goods. These are all super fun accounts to follow on Instagram if you are into that sort of thing too.

Last month we asked you to share a story with us about how you kept moving when the world stopped- how you marched last March. Our inbox was filled with tales of FaceTime Happy Hours and sidewalk chalk love notes at the park. You delivered cookies, wrote short stories, dusted off that box of scrapbook supplies, and collaged to your heart’s content.

We love introducing you to each other and sharing your stories. Keep your eye out on our social media pages for more opportunities to tell your tales for next month’s issue. Here’s one from fellow Merry Maker- Meghan.

  • MORE TO EXPLORE by Meghan Gallop

    There were really so many times that were special last March. We spent much more time outside exploring than we might have before. I taught my daughter how to make a daisy chain and blow wish bombs. We climbed giant tree stumps and threw rocks into creeks. These are the ordinary and uncomplicated moments of childhood, what I imagine growing up before screen time and packed schedules was like. The slower pace granted us some extra “ordinary” time which left us with some extraordinary memories.

Let’s Revel: March Edition

How to have some simple fun this month.

Grow some herbs indoors. Plant cilantro, basil, and parsley seeds in some repurposed jars or decorative pots and place them on your window sill. Little happy sprouts will appear in just a few short weeks, and by the end of the month, the rich green tones will add life to your kitchen. It feels nice to have something low maintenance to care for in a simple, consistent way, and if you stick with it long enough, your fun new friends will also add flavor to a few festive meals down the road.

Progressive Dinner- Drive Thru Edition. Many restaurants have adapted to a "to-go menu" format. Use this to your advantage! Load up the car and drive around town to enjoy a 4-course meal in different locations. Stop somewhere for appetizers, somewhere else for soup or salad, another stop for the entre, and finally, a spot for dessert. My compliments to the chef over at McDonald's' for the $1 foundation drink of any size. A meal that moonlights as a memory is always the best kind to me.

Dance in the rain. K, let me talk you into this one. It sounds awkward, but you should give it a shot. I'm not expecting a 'Kevin Bacon in a warehouse' Footloose vibe; even thesmallest little spin or a hop can turn a grey day into heyday. If busting a public move is cringe-worthy to you, just put on a jacket and go on a walk. What I'm trying to say is- go enjoy the rain for a minute. For those who don't need convincing and are already heading out to the carport to cut a rug- I'd recommend blasting Here Comes the Rain Again by Eurythmics and Annie Lennox. Just don't watch the music video unless you want to be confused and slightly disturbed.

Feed the birds. It makes me so happy to feed our neighborhood nestlings. Their little chirps and chatter are the perfect exchange for a few handfuls of seed. One year we had a sassy sparrow frequent our feeder. He would eat everything but the sunflower seeds- picking them out and tossing them on the ground. It seemed annoying at first, but it eventually resulted in a perfect patch of bright yellow sunflowers a few months later. Lookup common birds that live in your neck of the woods and then visit your local nursery to pick up a bag of preferred seed, nut, or kernel. Make sure you drop the snacks somewhere strategic so you can watch the excitement from the warmth of your window.