Dear friends and family. This weekend, one of my dearest friends, Katie, passed away. After a brave fight against pulmonary hypertension, she went home to meet our Lord. Though she has known about her condition for years, her passing was unexpected because she was preparing for a double lung transplant and seemed to be well on her way to receiving new lungs. Along with everyone who knew Katie, I’m shocked and heartbroken. In this difficult time, I’m taking comfort in our wonderful memories of Katie. She was and always will be an angel — a bright light in the world, and now in Heaven and in our hearts. Her light will shine forever.
Between sleepovers, Young Life Camps, playing sports together, smoking cigars on prom night, our first concert together (Smashing Pumpkins — we loved the Adore album), first boyfriends (and second and third…), singing together at our adopted “fairytale” church in Red Square, to spending my last night in Moscow with Katie at a fancy Russian cigar bar (imagine the stares we got there!) and countless other precious moments, I fell in love with Katie’s bright spirit and her amazing family. She is truly one of the most beautiful people I have ever met — I am so blessed to know her. Katie and her family made me feel like part of the family and have forever made me realize that friends are the family we choose. And boy did I choose well! 
She inspired me to do so many things — like summer staff at Frontier Ranch, a place that will forever make me think of Katie. I’m so grateful for every second I got to spend with Katie. Her grace, strength, and faith have forever changed me. I’m a better person for having known Katie. I can’t imagine not seeing her smile again, but I feel more confident than ever that we will see her again one day. Till that day, I want to make Katie proud by living every inch of my life. I’ll leave you with one of her favorite quotes: “Let things change, and cherish the unknown.”
Katie girl, I’m forever changed for knowing you. I cherish every second I got to spend with you. Thank you for sharing your precious life with us.
Katie and her love, John. They were married under a year. Their love is inspiring.
In Christ’s Love,
~Kristen
(Katie always signed her letters, emails, and messages with a “~”, and I always thought it looked pretty.)
{ 44 comments… read them below or add one }
Kristen,
I’m sorry to hear the sad news but I’m glad that her time here was unforgettable and meaningful. May your memories of her be a reminder of how precious each day and each person may be.
Rose
Thank you, Rose.
Kristen – I am terribly sorry for your loss. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you! I cannot imagine your heartache. Heaven has gained an angel. xoxo
Thank you, Cait.
I”m so sorry to hear about your loss. I can’t imagine what you’re going through, but please know you are in my thoughts.
Thank you, Heather.
Kristen, I am so sorry to hear about your friend. I will definitely keep you and her family and friends in my thoughts. Take care.
I appreciate it, Holly. Thank you.
Oh, sweetie. I am so sorry. This was such a beautiful post, and Katie and her family will be in my prayers. Sending some hugs your way.
Thank you so much for your prayers, Erin. I know her family needs them right now.
Oh my goodness K I am so sorry to hear about Katie’s death. What a beautiful young woman who was taken away entirely too soon. I am sending you a big hug and all my best wishes. Sometimes the world simply isn’t right.
Thank you so much, Jenny. I really appreciate it.
Kristen, thoughts and prayers go out to all of Katie’s friends and family. Your post was beautiful – as someone who didn’t know her, I can only think she’s one incredibly bright light. Take care my friend! Hugs from Canada.
Thank you, Jayme. She really is a bright light. I appreciate the hugs and I’m glad that her light is shining all the way to Canada!
I am so unbelievably sorry. It’s just completely unfair to see someone so young and so vibrant pass away so early. I know it happens every single day, and I know that you can’t always explain or understand God’s reasons, but it doesn’t make it any easier. I hope you find peace in the many memories you have of your friendship. Hugs
Thank you so much, Lindsay. I appreciate the hugs and your sweet thoughts.
So, so sorry to hear about your loss Kristen. Sending you hugs, and my best wishes… I can tell by the above post that you’ll always cherish those wonderful memories you had with Katie.
Thank you, Kristine. I appreciate it.
I’m so sorry, Kristen. How heartbreaking — especially for her husband, a widower at such a young age. I guess that the only comfort one can draw from this is that it is better to have known her and spent the time with her that her family friends were able to spend than to not have spent that time together at all. I’m just so sorry. You and her family are in my thoughts.
Thanks for your sweet words, Cristina. It’s just such a reminder to squeeze every inch out of life and live out our dreams. I’m excited to see you when you visit! Sorry I haven’t replied to your email yet, but that Friday works great. Will respond soon and I love you!!
I’m so sorry about your friend, Kristen. She sounds like a wonderful person. So heartbreaking.
Yes, it really is heartbreaking. I’m just glad that she was so well loved by so many people. Losing such a dearly loved friend just makes it hard on all of us — but I know she wants us to be happy. She kept talking about her post-lung transplant mojito!!
oh sweetie! What a wonderful tribute to your friend! She is in good hands now, and you’ll see her again….but in the meantime, our prayers and love go out to you and her family. All the best. P.s. What a great friend you are!!
Thank you, Annette. You’re right that she’s in good hands now. I really appreciate your sweet words and prayers. So sweet of you.
I am so sorry for your loss. She sounds like she was a wonderful friend and person. Her family and her friends are in my thoughts. It is never easy to lose someone you love — and there are never the right words to say, but I know you will carry her spirit with you always. She might be gone, but her memories will live on.
Thank you, Michelle. That means a lot. Her memory certainly does live on.
Kristen, I am so, so sorry to hear of the loss of your friend. I remembered you speaking of Katie (and now seeing the pic from your wedding, can remember her clearly), and can only imagine how hard it is to lose such a wonderful, special friend. I will be praying for you and the rest of her friends, her family, and her husband. What a great smile she has – I can only imagine her Homecoming.
(And, I’m excited to see your blog! I will do my best to stop in during a spare moment (ha!) here and there when I’m not running after Austin. And more importantly, you’re welcome to come visit any time and bring some of these mad cooking skills you’ve acquired along with you. Bravo!)
Thank you so much, Lindsay. I’m going to miss that girl so much. I’m so glad you got to see her at our wedding — she’s such an incredible person and will always inspire me. I try to picture her in Heaven with new lungs, happy and free.
I’m glad you like the blog! It’s been a fun outlet for me. And I still have to meet Austin, our youngest Longhorn, in person! I love looking at pictures and seeing him on the webcam that day at your parents’, but I’m SO excited to meet him. Hopefully Ian and I can make it to Plano because I would love to see y’all. And you’re always welcome to visit us in Pasadena, too! We love you guys so much. Thanks again for the sweet words and prayers.
Kristen,
This was heart wrenching to read, I am so sorry for the loss of your beautiful friend, my prayers to her husband, fame,y, and wonderful friends like you. She was a beautiful person from what I see, and know she is in heaven in peace. Xoxo
Thank you, Katie! She is a truly beautiful person, and I’m glad even more people we able to see and hear about just a little bit of her wonderful beauty!!
Hi Kristen, I just found your blog today. I’m so sorry for your loss. I will pray for your strength during this time. I can relate to loosing a friend. I also lost my best friend 4 years ago to lukemia. It is not easy and I have my moments but I always remember the great qualities and happy memories we had together. That always puts a smile on my face.
Hi, Tina! Thank you so much for your sweet words. I’m so sorry about the loss of your best friend — that must be so difficult. But I’m so glad that you’re able to remember her often and that she still brings a smile to your face! I always smile when I think about Katie, but I sure do miss her at the same time! Lots of love!
So sorry for your loss, Kristen. I can’t imagine. Too sad for a life to be cut short that early. What a great reminder to appreciate what you have! Sending you hugs!
Yes, a great reminder to be SO thankful for our blessed lives!! Thank you so much, Melissa!!
oh Kristen, I am very sorry to hear that you have lost a dear friend. What a beautiful tribute to your friendship with Katie. I am thinking of you during this difficult time. Take care xxxx
Thank you so much, Melissa. I really appreciate it! Lots of love.
Hi Darling.
Hugs and prayers to you and Katie’s friends and family.
Claire
Thank you so much, Claire! I miss you, my dear! We need a phone date SOON!
Hey Kristen,
I was so shocked to hear about Katie’s passing. Although I didn’t know her very well, she was one of our AAS family and as we were a small group. You are in my thoughts. xxx
Thank you so much, Wendy. It was definitely a shock to all of us — she always seemed to bounce back! I appreciate the note and hope you’re doing wonderfully — take care!! Sending love!
I am so sorry to hear that! My prayers are with you and friends and family.
Loosing loved ones are seriously, I believe, one of the greatest trials we go through as human beings. I feel your pain, because today is my grandpa’s funeral…But It gives me comfort that those who past, are in a better..happier place
Oh, Ari — I am so sorry about your grandpa. I hope that his service brought you and your family some comfort and peace — and that there is hope because you know you’ll see him again in the future in a place that’s amazing beyond our wildest dreams!! Sending lots of love — I am so sorry for the loss of your dear grandpa, but I’m so glad to hear that you know you’ll see him again
I am so sorry to hear this. My thoughts, prayers, and love go out to you, and Katie’s friends and family. <3
Thank you so much, Meg — it means a lot! <3