Jordan and Tatanka… Buffalo Blessings!

Jordan’s name, which in Hebrew means “flowing down,” seems almost prophetic for the way grace and purpose stream through her life. I met her on an ordinary morning at a yard sale in Fort Myers, but the moment she began sharing her story, it felt as though I had stumbled onto something extraordinary. She is part of a close-knit family with two sisters and a brother whose early passing forever shaped their lives. Home educated and raised across the country—from Washington state to the mountains of North Carolina, and finally to sunny Southwest Florida—Jordan carries with her a gentle depth born of both movement and loss.

Two years ago, that depth took on a living form when Jordan adopted a newborn baby bison. She named him Tatanka, the Lakota word for bison. The moment she learned he had been born on the first anniversary of her brother’s passing, she felt it was a tender sign from the Lord that her brother’s soul was at peace. Tatanka bonded with her instantly, believing Jordan to be his true mother—so much so that he still tries to fit her entire hand in his mouth, the way a calf comforts itself. Her father, recognizing the sacredness of this bond, bought a large piece of property and built a home specifically for Tatanka, giving this unlikely pair the space they needed to grow together. She loves spending time with Tatanka and he enjoys her company and the sound of Jordan’s voice. She often cuddles beside him and reads him books, stories and poetry out loud!

Beyond her life with the bison, Jordan is a woman overflowing with creativity. She has a deep love of history and is currently writing a book set in Great Britain in the 1800s. Her talents stretch further—into illustration, into poetry, into children’s stories that she brings to life with her own artistic hand. She also creates and sells her own jewelry online.

As I stood there listening—being a Bills fan from Buffalo, New York, and naturally drawn to anything that relates to the team —I couldn’t help feeling that I had stumbled upon a rare treasure. Meeting Jordan felt like hitting the jackpot: a young woman whose life flows with faith, creativity, family devotion, and the unbelievable story of a girl and her buffalo. In her presence, even a simple yard sale became a moment worth remembering.

Please welcome Jordan and Tatanka to the Ubernamez family. Their story and your encouragement are helping to “Make Ubernamez Great Again”! (MUGA)