Dear Jaimie, Love kayla.

Jaimie,

I miss you. I would do anything for you to be here again. I’d go back to our sleepovers when we were younger. Spending hours taking pictures or making videos, singing, and dancing to our favorite songs. We would bug our parents and annoy our older brothers. You were an older sister to Grace and me. A memory of our childhood that I will never forget is when you got a brush stuck in my hair when we played hairdresser. I even wrote about it in my diary with a picture. I have the best memories of high school spring breaks with our families. Like the time we lost the towel cards in Mexico and tried to blame it on Grace, my dad was not too happy about that. In Florida, we would stay up late just watching tv or talking in our bunk beds. Those trips with our families brought me beautiful memories.

Your infectious smile and laugh will live with me forever. You defined the meaning of friendship. Your loyalty was unmatched. I knew that I could go to you any time of the day if I needed to. Your little phrases and how you said certain things will continue to make me smile when I think of them or say them myself. The strength and bravery you had is something I will strive for as I try to navigate life.

I was always in awe of your passion for education and your kids. Whenever I would ask about school you would light up and have the best stories to share. Teaching and providing the best education and resources to your kids meant everything to you. When we were younger, we would play school and you somehow would always get to play the teacher first. I know that you have left a positive impact on the lives you taught and are a hero to many.

This is my promise to you, I promise to continue the light that you shined so brightly through your life into mine and hope to pass that onto others around me. I will share your story and our memories to family and friends. I am so thankful we took a million pictures and videos together that I will hold onto forever. When I am feeling down, I will tell myself “what would Jaimie say to me” and you would tell me to put my big girl pants on and to keep going. Your family is my family, know that I will hold them close forever and will continue to support them in any way possible. If this has taught me anything, it would be to truly cherish the smallest moments you have with your loved ones. Reach out daily to your family and friends, even if it is asking “how are you doing?” Life is too short so let go of any grudges or arguments you have with someone who you genuinely care for. Your high school yearbook senior quote says it perfectly, “Live in the moment and make it so beautiful that it will be worth remembering.”

I love you and miss you more as each day passes. And I will see you again.

Love,

Your BF4L Kayla