June 15 , 2017 The SEGway News Page 3
June 15 , 2017 The SEGway News Page 3
Personality Upland ’ s dynamic trio : Meadors , Guebert , and Smith
by Mikayla Marazzi
When the Smith family rolled up the driveway of their new home in Upland in 2001 , they found the carcass of a dead fish — a green Carpenter , at least 3 feet long — sprawled across the pavement , paired with a hand-printed sign that read “ Welcome to Upland !” The culprits were the Meadors family , who had called Upland home since 1996 . As the Meadors family had Southern roots , they were excited that a family from Arkansas had moved into their neighbourhood .
Though the Smith and Meadors fathers were both employees at the same department at Taylor University , Truett Smith and Davis Meadors met on the Upland playground , during a rousing game of lava , in which Truett slipped into its fiery mouth and broke his arm . And their friendship continued to bloom when they attended church camp together dressed as twin train conductors .
As we chat , I am enjoying learning about this dynamic duo until , a few minutes into our conversation , Truett raises his hand to indicate a pause . “ Wait ,” he interjects , “ before we go on , you must know there is a third person .” He begins to tell me about Davis Guebert . And I realize that this is a story about a dynamic trio — a triangle of sweet friendship that has endured over many years , through many seasons .
Growing up , Davis , Davis , and Truett all lived within a quarter mile from each other . They played on the same soccer team together and lead youth group together at Upland Community Church . Yet , they also maintained different interests , each of them occupying separate spaces in the community around them . Guebert and Truett attended Eastbrook , while Matters attended
Kingswood Academy . Truett spend every summer at miracle camp in Michigan . And they each attended different colleges , making their decisions separately . Even the summers between their college years they often spent apart .
Davis , Davis , and Truett all love to travel — but surprisingly , not together . Meadors studied abroad in New Zealand and Israel . Truett studied abroad in Australia and lived in Spain for 8 months following his college graduation . Guebert now lives in Madison , Wisconsin . They estimate that between the three of them , they have visited 30 countries .
One binding aspect of their friendship is their shared passion for truth . Sometimes people will overhear their conversations and think that they are arguing — but really , they are just trying to discover truth . They are each very analytical , concerned with how the world works in their own way . Truett is a linguist , proficient in Spanish and French ; Meadors is a philosopher , continuing his studies in theology ; and Guebert is a scientist , concerned with environmental science .
To illustrate their love for analytical discussion , Truett tells the story about the time they decided to skip youth group and go kayaking along the Mississinewa river . They packed backpacks with all the necessary items as well as small dinners . They traveled just half a mile down the river and began talking , and three hours later , they were still floating in the same spot , entrenched in their passionate conversation . “ I swear we actually planned on kayaking ,” Truett laughs .
For a span of five years , they did not spend more than two consecutive weeks together ; however , after their graduation , Meadors and Truett moved back to their hometown , Truett teaching Spanish at Indiana Wesleyan University , Meadors working for Taylor University , and both working at Payne ’ s Restaurant . Truett recalls how on the first shift they ever worked together , their coworkers — without any prior knowledge or familiarity with them — immediately identified that they were best friends .
Although they have all carved out separate lives for themselves , having different interests and goals , they are always pulled back together . And whenever they reconnect , they cook up a dish of Chicago style deep-dish pizza , double crust with lots of cheese — which they claim to have perfected the recipe for — and kick back into old patterns , laughing and conversing with one another . Guebert has a talent for jumping in at any random moment to match the song forming on the tongue of one of his friends , and they all exchange movie quotes in a syncopated rhythm , like Hot Rod or Monty Python .
Davis , Davis , and Truett can go months without communicating , but when one of them reaches out , they immediately respond . Their relationship doesn ’ t need “ sweet nothings ,” as Truett says , because they have complete security in their friendship . “ We ’ ve been there for the hardest parts of each other ’ s lives ,” Meadors reflects . They are bonded together
Today !
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like siblings , understanding each other better than anyone else .
Upland serves as a focal point for their relationship . Meadors from Mississippi , Guebert from Illinois , and Truett from Arkansas — somehow their families collided in Upland , creating the opportunity for Davis , Davis , and Truett ’ s life long friendship . Though their careers may take them to different places , Upland — the 765 area-code — will always be their home . “ Our families are still rooted here , so we ’ ll be making pilgrimages back our whole lives ,” Meadors says . He keeps an Indiana flag in his room and Truett keeps one in his heart .
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1606 West 26th Street • Marion , Indiana
Heather was raised in Upland , IN . She is a 1993 graduate of Eastbrook High School and a 1996 graduate of Vincennes University , where she majored in Mortuary Science . Heather received her Funeral Director License in 1997 . She joined NSW in 2004 , with eight years ’ prior experience
Heather and her husband Jason were married in 2000 . She enjoys fishing , hunting , and raising her dogs .
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