On a rainy June afternoon in 2017, we spotted several kittens on our neighbors patio. They all were a little bit different in their markings and colors, and we were certain one of them would become our own — we just weren’t sure who to pick. We knelt down and pet a few, saying to each other that there was a tuxedo kitten but we already had our black and white girl Aria. Maybe we should choose another. But we think Jazz knew we needed each other because as soon as we said those words, he came to lay on Brandon’s foot (right after digging around in one of the potted plants!)

We knew in that moment that he chose us and we took him home. We were also told Jazz’s mom moved her kittens there on her own from another area of our neighborhood. We like to think maybe she knew there was something good waiting for one of her babies on our side of the street.

Initially, we thought Jazz was a girl and Brandon was thrilled call him Jazmine! It wasn’t until we took him to the vet that she looked at us and said “It’s a boy! Your Jazmine might be a…Jazz?”

Our Jazz was so little and needed a lot of TLC in his first few weeks with us. We spent hours and hours tending to him day and night. He cried for us if we left so needless to say, there were very few moments that he wasn’t in our arms.

Jazz grew up to be a quirky but smart, shy but adoring part of our family. He made his voice known, singing and chirping as he pleased and demanding the undivided attention he deserved and we were happy to give. His fierce love for bananas and long tail earned him the nickname Monkey, along with so many more — Jazzy, Jazzersonian, Spooky Socks, Jazzy Bean (beanie, bean dip, the list goes on forever…)

Jazz was with us during our hardest days and best days. He was always a source of comfort as he loved to knead and sleep on our chests or in our arms, purring until his tail and paws vibrated too. Rarely could Jazz ever be found without one of us next to him; he never wanted to be without his humans. He gave us a purpose when sometimes we felt we didn’t have one. Jazz loved to watch the birds, both outside in the real world and on the iPad that eventually became his. We know he also clocked some of the fastest zoomies of the cat world.

Jazz — we hope you are surrounded by peace, love, warm blankets, and plenty of Q-tips to hide under rugs. We will never forget the impact you had in our hearts and day to day life. The sadness is profound for us, but we can only pray you are free from anything that could damper your special spirit. There will never be another one like you.

We love you forever, Jazz.

Haleigh, Brandon, & Aria.