The Best Gift Giver!

My Birthday September 1992

There are some people in this world that just know how to give gifts. They have an incredible knack of knowing exactly what to give and the perfect time to give it. Erica most definitely had that knack. Some of my most favorite gifts have come from her and still to this day mean the most to me... especially now.

On her birthday today my heart is full. There are so many reasons to celebrate her amazing life. With all the perfect gifts she has given me through the years, I feel the best thing I can give back to her is to follow her example. One of the best things she taught me was how important it is to forget yourself and be in tune with the needs of others. After saying goodbye to her in Florida almost 3 months ago, I came home recommitted to be as good of a person as she was and try to help others as much as she did.

It was amazing to me in those first few weeks of being super heightened in my awareness to help just how many small opportunities there are to help people. It doesn't have to be anything huge. Small things make a difference and it's amazing how great you feel when you forget about yourself. I absolutely love that she will always be the standard for me to look up to in this area.

I have been a slacker the last little bit and have let myself fall back into my old selfish ways. Today, on your birthday, I once again recommit to get over myself and put other's needs before my own. I know that's what you would want.

I miss you like crazy and am so thankful I can feel you from time to time...
I swear most of those times I can almost hear you laughing at me!!! =)

If you can't be here, you laughing at me from heaven is the next best thing...
Happy Birthday Girlie!!!

One of My Very First Memories of Erica

December 1991

Since no one else will send me stories... I guess I will just turn this into a Erica/Amie love fest. If you are reading this, send me your favorite memory or story of Erica!!! Send pics too if you have them!!!

I was in 9th grade and busting to get perfect grades because I just wanted to get a scholarship to leave Utah someday. I took my life WAY too seriously for a fourteen year old girl. This is when I met Erica. This picture was taken on our first day of Christmas break and I had no idea that day my life would never be the same. I changed for the better. Erica was seriously one of the most vibrant people I had ever met. She was so funny and lit up any room she entered. She was everything I wasn't, but wish I could be at that young age. She was confident in herself. She didn't care what other people thought about her. She could make anybody laugh and cheer them up when they were having a rough day. She was so adventurous and never was bored. She always had something planned in her mind for us to do. Seriously... never a dull moment. The most important thing she taught me was to take myself and my life a little less serious. She let me know there were definitely things to take seriously, but not EVERYTHING. =)

I cherish those memories. She brought me out of my shell and showed me there is so much to experience if you just open your eyes and see it. I was so stuck in my narrow point of view during this time and I hate to think what my life would be like now if she never pulled me out of that.

She Knew Exactly What She Wanted

May 1995

During our senior year of high school when Erica and I dated I was grateful that come Christmas, Valentines Day, or her Birthday she knew exactly what she wanted. She would even take the initiative to seek out the gift and put it on hold at the store so all I had to do was go and buy it. This is just the kind of person that she was. She always knew what she wanted and would quickly take charge. On Valentines Day in 1995, she took me to the mall to purchase a memory chest. She picked out the chest style, color and even wrote down the inscription of what I should say for the clerk. All I had to do was pick up the gift later in the week. As a 17 year old "child of grunge" dating his first girlfriend, this was very helpful to me as I truly had no idea what I was doing.

Had I not spent that time my senior year with Erica, I would not have met my wife and had the opportunity to have a wonderful marriage and four beautiful children. I am truly grateful and will always love her for the person that she is.

She will be missed,
Corey

Man Could She Make You Laugh

August 2002

My sister-in-law would kill me for posting this picture, but I just can't help it. It is so indicative of conversations with Erica. She is funny... not just ha ha funny, but REALLY funny. This picture was taken at my wedding and I can only imagine the conversation they were having. I hope it wasn't about me! LOL =) I could tell Erica a story and it would just be kind of funny. I would hear her tell it to someone else and not only was it a million times funnier, but I would be enthralled listening to it like I had never heard it before. She is magical like that. I knew when I was with Erica, I was ALWAYS going to laugh.

I miss your stories Ca,
Amie

My Personal Matchmaker

June 1992

The summer between 9th and 10th grade, I had a wicked bad crush on Scott Sorenson. I was pretty shy and would do nothing about it. Erica wouldn't stand for that. She insisted on organizing a "neighborhood" bar-b-que and inviting a bunch of friends over for the event. That would have to include Scott because he lived in the neighborhood. It didn't hurt that she had a crush on his best friend Jon Pugmire. The night was fun and if nothing else we were able to get this picture out of it. =)

Scott and I didn't go on to be a hot item, but a friendship was formed that night that lasted through high school with him and it all started because Erica always found ways to bring me out of my shell (whether I liked it or not!) =)

Her match making didn't stop there (if you all know who I ended up marrying), but there were MANY others in between. Lots of those stories to come...

Thanks for always forcing me to have the courage to talk to the cute boys...

Amie =)

You Will Never Be Forgotten

Erica May 1996

No matter who you met, you influenced them in some way. Whether you made them laugh, feel better about themselves or helped them to be thankful for what they had... you always had the power to make someone better. You have a spark that is contagious. I have said it before and I will say it again, you are just downright intoxicating. I am a better person for having known you and I know many echo that sentiment. I hope this can be a small tribute to you and be a legacy to your incredible children and sweet husband so they know you will never be forgotten.

You will always be in our hearts and we will forever be grateful to have known you.