It’s impossible to choose a favorite memory — there are simply too many. Some moments are so sacred that they belong only to the two of us, tucked away safely in my heart. There are a million snapshots I carry of you in my mind — some linger longer than others — but to choose just one from over a decade of friendship and a love as deep as ours would be impossible.
This last year was a journey unlike anything I’ve ever known, or ever will again. I will always cherish the blessing of being your last love — of spending those endless days that melted into nights, into weeks, months, and a year of sharing life so completely with you. I have never laughed so hard, felt so alive, or been so fully seen as I was with you.
I’ll forever miss our “sessions of endless sharing,” playing Kings Corner, teaching you backgammon, our love for music, our “basesketball date nights at home” — and of course, the Ding Dongs, Barkley and Shaq. When people say they were rolling on the floor laughing — that was us. Literally falling out of bed or the sofa, holding our sides, faces aching from laughter.
I miss dancing with you. I miss holding hands as we fell asleep, snuggling with you and Charlie. I can’t pick one memory because I’m still carrying them all — every sound, every sight, every touch still has your fingerprint on it. You changed me. You touched my heart in ways I didn’t know were possible.
If I had to name my favorite memory, it would simply be falling in love with you — over and over again. With the sound of your voice, your mischievous smirk, your beautiful smile, your brilliant mind and thirst for knowledge and life, the smell of your skin, the warmth and safety of your embrace, your huge heart and how you cared so deeply for others and their sufferings, your generous and kind spirit. The way you’d run your fingers through my hair as we snuggled up watching thr muppets or planes, trains and automobiles for the 100th time. The way you showed me all the stars and love for the world.
And of course, our inside joke — the one we could never say without bursting into laughter. My Ravs. My Kermie. My Bear. My Muppeto. My favorite memory of you… is you.
As you would always say to me before I left for work: “Go be you, and you’ll have a great day.” So, I am saying this to you now, go be YOU and continue to do great things. You left an indelible mark on this world and others.
Thank you for loving me, and for letting me love you. You will always be an angel by my side. Charlie Girl, your smuggaloos, are sending you love and kissaloos. Such is the kiss of life- forever your girl, Kansas. (Candice Marie)