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.