I’ve sat down to write this so many times, but could never bring myself to do it. I don’t know why – maybe because that would make it final, make it real. Maybe because I would just get so overwhelmed, so sad. But tonight I want to share this with everyone. I don’t want anyone to ever forget her, but most importantly, I want everyone to know how much she meant to me.
Vickie and I were what most would call the unlikeliest of friends. Now for those of you who don’t know our past, Vickie and JP dated for several years. Things obviously didn’t work out for them, but I’m glad they dated. Now I realize most wives don’t feel that way about their husband’s ex, but had they not dated, our paths may never have crossed.
I’ll never forget the first time I met Vickie. We were at a Super Bowl party in 2004. JP and I had only been dating a few months. She was upset when she got to the party because the food she had brought had spilled all over her car. And true to Vickie, she wasn’t upset about the spill in her car, she was upset that she no longer had any food to contribute. You see, that’s how Vickie was. It was never about her – it was always about others.
Vickie and I didn’t become best friends over night, but over the years, we grew close. We were at each other’s weddings, we spent most weekends together, and we helped throw each other’s parties and showers.
Speaking of parties and showers, Vickie had a talent in party planning like no other. She did everything from designing invitations to planning and making the food. She always gave 110%, and everything she was a part of was magnificent. She just had a knack. There’s definitely been a void in this area. I can’t tell you how many times this past year Lauren and I have said (while trying to plan something), “We need Vickie.”
But it’s the simple things that I miss the most.
The New Year’s Eve parties…
The ski trips…
where we all learned how to ‘squash the bug’…
The dinners out…
The girls’ Christmas parties…
The new friendships that were created through her…
As hard as losing her has been, I am comforted by the last memory I have of her. It was at church, the Sunday before she passed away. I will always carry this with me - I will always find peace in this.
I don’t know that you ever ‘get over’ the loss of someone so special, I think you just learn a new normal, and we’ve all definitely had to find a new normal. I still find myself picking up the phone to call her – to ask her something, to invite her to something, or just to tell her something that’s going on. I haven’t been able to take her number out of my phone. I don’t know that I ever will.
To my Vickie -
I miss you more than you can imagine. This world is not the same without you. I know many hearts were broken the day we lost you, but my prayer is that through your loss, people have realized how short life is – how we are never guaranteed tomorrow. I had the privilege of watching your relationship with God grow so much, and that is what gives me comfort in all of this. I have prayed a lot for your family the past year. I cannot imagine the hurt they are still dealing with. You ARE definitely loved by so many. So, goodbye for now. My prayer is that we’ll meet again someday.
I love you my sweet friend.
