Photos taken from Facebook. I didn't have any of us together, we were too involved in talking and having a laugh about things.

You always knew how to make people laugh.

I'm no stranger to tragedy. Anyone who knows me, knows what I've been through. You were there in a time when I was healing and you were a big band-aid in my life. The universe often connects me with those people I'm suppose to know, to learn from, to be inspired by, to admire and you just happened to be handed to me. It was one evening in 2011 at Havana 59, we stood in a circle of familiars, you and I only strangers to each other. It was a matter of time that we discovered that you were the one who filmed the benefit concert for my then husband. When I told you, I had not seen such video, you guaranteed you'd have it to me that week. You made me laugh a lot that night and you made a memorable impression. I thought it was strange that we never met, but isn't that how it goes, you meet people at different arcs of the circle. You gave me the video the next week as promised and that was the beginning of our story.

You know when you are shopping for your next car and all of sudden it is the only car you keep seeing on the road? That was you after that initial meeting. We kept running into each other. You frequented the pub more than before and we'd see each other at various events. We exchanged a lot of time and conversation back then and maybe a date or three. I remember sitting on the stool and you just looked over at me and said, "I like you." Just absolutely free and simple. You had this ability to compliment me in such a way, a very honest, but charming kind of way. You saw shadow where I saw shade. I liked the way you looked at things and I was excited by our intellectual exchanges on film, travel, music and general observances. You said things like I thought them. I liked how dry you were in your delivery, but it was always followed by a smile, said oh so sincerely. You and I, although we disagreed on some things, never broke friendship and you introduced me to people who have become a regular part of my social circle..

"I like the way you smoke. It's very French," you shouted to me randomly one evening across the bar. I had never been complimented on my smoking style, but it is something I've always paid attention to with other people. You were always good like that. You had this, spontaneity about you that was accompanied by this "what do I have to lose" look. There was a confidence about it that was attractive and fun.

You were this comfortable person in my life. One I felt very confident in releasing secrets to, while you snickered and added your own. I could call you and I knew you'd pick up. You helped me with rides, with lost jobs, and with potential suitors (best wing man ever) and with the eventual breakups (always their fault). You spoke of your family often and with fondness and was interested in mine. I always had a blast sitting around with you and Ryan, just shooting the shit. I remember meeting your father at Union Market one afternoon and it made me smile to know he was as sweet a man as you were. I know it was very hard for you to lose him. You were this kind bear in a forest of, then, mediocre friendships.

I pride myself on being intuitive. I'm usually right to a fault. I tend to sum up people pretty quickly and I can be quite vocal about it. You were better at it. You had the ability to see texture to my surface. There were three women who I encountered during our friendship and although I had some colorful things to say about them, you just straight up told me I was wrong and then proceeded to point out these interesting traits about them. Those three women have become my friends over the years and as it turns out, smarty pants, you were right! How could I be so wrong!? That was you though, you had perception and you had vision. We spent hours talking about work and creative projects. We wanted to work with each other on so many things and we talked about it endlessly, but isn't that the thing about time?

I was not prepared for this. When you look at all those words scrolling down the screen, it's hard to decipher what is real and what has been designed for our vulnerable minds. Kitties, doggies, babies, beaches...death. Death. It comes so abruptly sometimes. You blink and then you realize that all you have is an image. A photograph of history, moments, events, words. And then you hate yourself for not calling more, for not texting a date for a hang, for not...knowing.

As I write this, I'm still in shock. You would think that this was a common occurrence in our graduated years. The initial aloofness of yet another acquaintance "celebrated" in Facebook scripture. You were not that my friend. You were special and so much more. You were always saying I was cooler than you, but the truth is you were cool effortlessly. I would see you sometimes with worn face, tired eyes, and a relentless schedule, but you always showed up for me. You worked hard and were dedicated to what you did. I've had such a hard time putting this story together because memorializing you, now, is just weirdly incorrect. It's like it doesn't fit here. There are no words to convey my emotional state here. I'm just so sad I will never get another hug from you, another conversation, another compliment, more tyme.

You both were so good together. It made me happy to hear how "easy" she was and happy you were.

As Sarah and I sat chatting, I felt like you were right there in the room listening to us, smiling. I could almost hear you say, "I like the two of you like this." Panning the room, getting the shot, us in and out of sorrowful moments, the way we had positioned ourselves on the couch, like girls who were having a sleepover confiding in each other, heads leaned on the cushions, listening intently. You love it. I know you do, especially because you were right about her.

You can stop smirking now.

I will miss you so very much, Ty. The world will miss you so much. I'm so very, very sad. I really can't even fathom not seeing you again and it breaks my heart. I just keep staring at our last text. We never did meet up and I too, thought of you often. I'll always have the Roosevelt, the pub, our movie nights, Cards Against Humanity, and those old photos with those long locks. I'm even thinking about having a soda today or a gin and tonic and you know I am not a fan of those. I will miss the beautiful, kind, sincere, talented person you were. You will forever be in my heart and adored always. May you have peace where you are, may your memory shine in others, may your work be praised, and may your smile be etched in the hearts of all who knew you. You were by far one of my favorite people.

My love and light go out to Ryan and Sarah and both families. To lose someone so suddenly is a shock no one should have to experience. Alas, we do not know when these things will happen or why. They just do. Another arc in the circle. Harshly. Aggressively. Untimely. We find strength in knowing that they will not be forgotten, that time will become our comfort, and that the support of others will allow us to heal. May you all find the time to be with each other and cherish those moments, if you truly care about those in your life who mean something, take a moment and give them a call, send them a text, meet up for a coffee or a drink, don't abbreviate their existence, they deserve full sentences. You may not have next month, week, or tomorrow for that matter. We say these things all the time about getting together and always in these times, but when you think about losing people or family who matter to you, isn't it worth an hour after work, a babysitter, a 20 minute drive. Friendship is not for the lazy, it is for the living. Rest in peace, Ty.