Stephine (2/3/1980-1/21/2013)

As I see my life over the years through old photos, I see friends and boyfriends that came and went, there were so many great vacations, holiday celebrations, apartment moves, then there were moves away from Vegas, back to Vegas....then came fiancé's, and eventually husbands...but the one thing that remained constant was me and Stephine.  She was my rock, partner in crime through college and an amazing friend then and beyond. Before Stephine passed, I asked her, what her favorite memory of our years together was...she said "there were so many, she couldn't pinpoint just one"...I agree Steph, there were so many.
Steph was the type of friend and person I strive to be, the type of person I will teach my children to be, selfless in every act, worried (sometimes too worried I would tell her) about everyone before herself.  But Stephine was also FUN!  Her laugh was contagious, and I think that's why I loved her, she always thought everything I said was so funny, which made me feel so happy inside...which now I know was just Steph, she had a spirit and glow, she made everyone feel so wonderful and that's why we all loved her so much.  Now that Stephine is gone, I feel a hole in my heart and an aching in my belly to hear that laugh again and to feel that smile warm the room just one more time.  But knowing Steph, she would want me to be happy, positive, and take from this experience "to never take a single moment or day for granted". Life is beautiful and sweet, and sometimes ends too soon, but I promise to live fully Steph, and to never forget all you were and all I want to be.
Stephine and I have spent 12 Birthdays together...12! "We are getting old" Steph would say! Looking forward to many more, as I know she will be there watching over me from heaven, loving me, laughing with me, and blessing me for all the years to come.