When I think of “milestone” dates, I usually associate them with happy memories and moments – birthdays, anniversaries, a date commemorating an accomplishment or reaching a goal – but life is filled with both good and bad, and milestones can mark sadder and more traumatic events, as well.
Yesterday, for example, marked five years since I got to talk to my best friend, my confidant, and my honorary sister – Kelsey – for what I didn’t know would be the last time before the world and all those who were fortunate enough to know her and love her were abruptly and unexpectedly robbed of her light, her humor, her beauty, and her unmistakable presence. Our lives have never been the same since.
I wrote about my grief and my memories of her in the days after her passing in a post I still reflect back on with each year that goes by without her here to talk to, to laugh with, to text, listen to music and eat junk food alongside – and it’s hard to believe it’s been five years already. It seems to have gone by in a finger snap or the blink of an eye – and so much has happened in those years (other than a global pandemic, political unrest, and the Eras Tour, I mean..) People within our circle of friends and family have moved, gotten married, had children, changed careers, etc., all things she would have loved hearing about, celebrating and being apart of.
Her children, my two favorite people of all time, have grown so quickly over these past five years and each day they look and act more and more like her – with their features, their mannerisms and their interests. It’s comforting and makes me so happy to see how she is very much living on through them in so many ways.
And Andrew, her husband, remains the best, most attentive and doting father and one of the strongest people I know. I’m so honored to consider him family – and his resilience and unwavering dedication to his children and preserving Kelsey’s memory has been a much welcomed constant in my life since losing her.
I was so blessed to have a friend like her for as long as I did, and to both love and be loved in return so strongly, unconditionally and unapologetically. She made me a better person. She still does, and always will. I’m so grateful for her and the time we shared together.
I spent the day working from home, mourning, of course- but I also listened to the music Kelsey and I loved so much and touched base with some of our mutual friends to reminisce. When it came time to do my radio show last night, I played some requests from Andrew & the kids who were listening in from North Carolina – which was so, so sweet! They have amazing taste, just like their mom!
Speaking of – I’ll be visiting them beginning this upcoming weekend – and I’m unbelievably excited. I haven’t seen them since October, and I can’t wait to hear all about what they’re been up to, what they’re interested in now, and to just be able to unplug, play, and celebrate their beautiful mother’s memory for a few days with them.
I know Kelsey would be so proud of all of them. I know I definitely am.
I’ll be blogging regularly next week while I’m away – so prepare for a lot of pictures!
xo
Coffee & Chiffon 