Katy

Katy,

When you came to Grahamwood in sixth grade wearing Umbros and an oversized t-shirt, I knew we were going to be good friends. However, I had no idea what we had ahead of us.

Middle school was full of awkward moments. We began our competitive endeavors by seeing who could catch the most sour skittles in our mouths, started our periods and figured out how to use a tampon, and dressed up as Sweet N Low and Equal for Halloween. Seriously the worst costumes ever. I’m 90% positive it was your idea.

High school was definitely more enjoyable and slightly less awkward. We upped our competition game with ping pong, bowling, darts, speed scrabble, etc… You know, the normal things to be overly competitive about. Good thing you had terrible taste in boys in high school so we never had to compete over them. (Love you, Phil. And I’m so thankful for you and how tremendously well you and the rest of that group loved Katy.) Katy is our glue.

I loved so much that my parents lived close to school so we were able to go watch 30 minutes of ABC Family while scarfing down bagel bites, goldfish dipped in Catalina dressing (why was that a thing, you're gross), Oreos over soaked and soggy in milk, and cookie dough from a giant bucket before soccer practice. Although, I used to get so pissed because you would always pick out the dough and leave me with a spoonful of chocolate chips. It’s a miracle we didn't ever puke at practice. I think that may have had something to do with how insanely lazy we were. Remember when we used to jump in people's cars when we were supposed to be running a mile around the neighborhood? Did I ever tell you how I was always so jealous that you would score ALL our goals and have your name called over the intercom to the whole school the next day. I seriously could never keep up with you. Katy, I’m sorry Ruthie was always better at tennis than you. However, I am not sorry she was so much better than us at basketball. Can you imagine how many points hoopin squad would actually have scored in a game if Ruthie wasn’t on our team?

So much of who I am, what I've done, and what my life has looked like since high school is directly correlated to having you as my best friend.

I am so grateful we have always stayed within driving distance of one another.

I started playing ultimate because I was struggling in college, and you knew I needed an outlet for my competitive and active nature. You taught me how to throw a flick and catch a pancake, and you patiently and lovingly kept me accountable about following through with joining the team at UT... And then you bitches beat us EVERY SINGLE TIME we played one another for the next two years. You rubbed it in my face and then gave my whole team a drink. You loved so fully and so hard. You had such an amazing way of bringing people together. Have I mentioned that you’re glue?

I moved to the northwest because of you, K. You had such a way of inspiring and sometimes forcing people to seek adventure. Every time you came to visit me in Portland the past 6 years I prepared for five things to happen.

1. Losing 1-2 articles of clothing. We all know you weren't about to spend your time and money shopping. And even if you had, you have pretty awful fashion sense
2. You were going to eat all my food and drink my booze
3. You would clean my room
4. Non-stop adventures: She came on her 25th and made a list of 25 things to do for her 25th birthday that we had to fit into a two day weekend (including kick lindsay’s ass at ping pong)
5. Buying destiny ray jewelry. You wanted to support people you love

I feel so fortunate to have gotten to see into your life in Montana. You always showed me the best time in Missoula. You and your friends were so welcoming and truly made me feel a part of your friend group. They loved me well because they love you so much.

Thank you for challenging me to be a better person and friend. Thank you for continuing to pursue me even when I wouldn’t respond for weeks… Let's be honest, sometimes months. You were undoubtedly a better friend to me than I was to you. Thank you for teaching me tolerance. Thank you for demonstrating how to be a servant to others. Thank you for forcing me out of my comfort zone.

Katy, we had so much more to do. You already asked me to be in your hypothetical wedding. You were supposed to be in my wedding (again). You were going to be the crazy aunt to my kids. I was going to put up with your annoying dog and you would continue to secretly love my cats. We were going to hold one another as we lost people we love. We had so many more adventures to go on. We were going to grow old together and make fun of one another's sagging skin and deteriorating hearing.

KK, I'm sorry you were in so much pain. I hope you knew how loved you were. You brought so much happiness to all of us, and we are forever grateful for you. I hope we can all take a page out of your book and… I literally cannot figure out how to finish this sentence. I know everyone has something that they learned from Katy.

Kay, I want to promise you some things.

Kate, Rachel, and I will keep going to MPC when we are all in town and keep up with our email chain to continue to love one another from afar. 

I will keep in touch with Allie and love her and Jon as they settle into married life. I will visit your parents every time I come in town and hug them hard for you.

I promise to not get stuck in the why or what if game? You would want us all to only seek happiness and love.

I promise to think of you as I continue our bad habits of shells and cheese, ice cream, too much pizza, too many beers, etc.

I promise to keep listening to music that makes me happy and think of how much you would love it.

I promise to keep seeking adventures. I promise to make my bed...at least some of the time. I promise to keep taking beers on my hikes. I promise to keep riding my bike. I promise to be a better friend.

Katy, you are our glue. We promise to hold firm together.