Good evening all. Thank you…for allowing me an opportunity to say hello to my fierce friend…and what a better place to do it than one of her favorite spots…Vail, CO…

P…Hello beautiful…Megs here. Yes, I wore black…I know…one day I’ll strive for more color…but I did wear badass pumps just for you tonight girl.

Man P.

I knew from my first day meeting you that you were good at bringing great people together… that you never sacrificed quality and you always brought your A-Game…but damn sister, you have outdone yourself. I mean look around…

Vail. One of the most brilliant and special places on earth.

People from all over convening in one spot… from all the chapters of your life…here to share smiles…

To top it off, we have shown up, dressed to impress. Well done P, well done.

I must say…I didn’t imagine this would be how I would finally say thank you for all you have done and been for me…and yes, I am still wrangling with that (and yes, I know you tell me it is okay…God is helping me…we have been conversing a lot lately…)

I will start by thanking YOU for tonight. How incredibly special. I am grateful, I am honored, and above everything else, I know you are here with us all…because you would never miss a badass celebration with all those you love.

P…

Thank YOU. For that first day, literally “opening” the door of Level3 and being the first person I met…to the unknown world of telecom, with a smile, passion and the most welcoming hello a girl embarking into the unknown could ask for.

Thank you. For introducing me to many of those who sit in this room today.

Thank you. For that time we “broke bread” over chips…so I guess we “broke chips…?” and you opening your heart to me…and where our sisterhood started….

Thank you. For always being a safe space. Whatever it was, you listened without judgment, yet never waivered from sharing your heart and candor. For that, I am a better and stronger human.

Thank you. For being there for many smiles, the tears, and a space for lean into the vulnerable and unknown to understand what ‘north star’ really meant.

Thank you for always reminding me…you should always pamper yourself, that ‘why not?’ is a true sentiment to carry when debating between extravagance or simplicity…champagne goes with anything…and life is really about sharing with those who impact our hearts and we open them up to – period, end of story. The small, fierce, unwaivering crew is all we need.

Thank you P, for always taking time. Even when you were in chemo treatments, exhausted, with what I knew was an empty fuel tank…you said “Nope…we are meeting.” I will fondly remember one of our last meals at Tavernetta downtown together. Truly special.

Thank you. For being a rock. It is special to find people like that in your life, and you will always be one for me imprinted my heart forever.

P…Thank You for reminding me that even when all odds are against you, to remind yourself who you are. Never lose faith. Put on your lipstick and powerhouse outfit…and smile like you have no fear.

Thank you for encouraging me to find MEGS…never apologize for who I am…ask for what we deserve, strive for what you want.

Thank you for reminding me I love hard…and to always love myself even harder.

Thank you for allowing us to be in a space that we could be scared together.

(Deep breaths Meg…)

Thank you for always encouraging and ensuring we captured the vibrance in all we discussed, did and worked on achieving together.

It was the last time we spoke…and I will remember it for as long as I am blessed to breath…as an outsider listening in they would have thought our conversation was morbid… We shared our struggles and insecurities about medicine and seizures and darn brain surgeries…yet laughed and swore and breathed in strength. We showed up with our mama bear coats speaking about our children, how could we show up better to protect and love, and how would they ever understand…and yes, we finished speaking about designer shoes, meeting to drink a cup of coffee (okay…or maybe ‘bubbles’)…and getting our guys and kiddos together…

I will always wish we could have shared one last conversation, that we could have gotten our kids to meet each other, had the men we love get introduced and understand the impact they have had on our lives, to celebrate birthdays and to take that girls trip together…I promise I will still make all of these happen…

One of the last things you texted me…. “My beautiful Megs…May you experience peace like stars during darkest skies. May your heart overflow with love like a mother meeting a newborn. May you conquer discomfort with tiny flick of your fingers. May this time bring  you broad lens of fulfillment in every direction.”

Damn P, the C took you much took soon darling…but I am here to let you know…it did not take your vibrancy…you will forever shine brighter than all the stars. It did not take your passion, as your heart is bigger than most I have ever been fortunate enough to share a connection with. It never took your strength, because you fought harder and with more zest than anyone I know. And I know it allowed you to broaden your lens and cherish the precious time you had with those who will love you fiercely now and forever.

Thank you my beautiful friend for it all. What an epic journey. I can’t tell you goodbye P…instead I choose…”see you again one day…”

Love you P. Always.