Sweet Katie Baby

I still can't comprehend the fact that your up in heaven right now. It saddens us so deeply here on this earth, but it brings a smile to my face when i think about how joyful and happy you are right now. To people who have never met you, it is impossible to put into words the kind of person you were. Even if somebody had only met you once, they could tell that your beautiful, loving, caring soul was special beyond its years. I keep replaying in my head the many, many memories we have together. You were my cuddle buddy.. oh how you loved to cuddle. The countless swim practices and meets we attended together were always that much more enjoyable when you were around. Once high school came around, we became that much closer. I remember being so exited for you, that you were going to experience school for the first time after being home-schooled your whole life. We spent our winter days running through the snow in our swim suits, streaking in basements, walking around on hotel roofs in the middle of snowstorms, tping the boys on the team, and jumping in the pool with all our clothes on:) There wasn't a single sleepover we had where we didn't fall asleep curled up right next to each other. You were one of the hardest workers I knew. When I was making my goals for my senior year swim season, I remember asking O'shea if I could be in your lane because when I swam with you I worked that much harder. When I was having a rough weekend at state, it was you who I went to for comfort; you held me and just let me cry, all the while encouraging me to focus on what was really important. I'm so thankful for those last two days at the pool that we got to spend together.. we talked for hours about how exited we were for each other to go to London and Belize, and we made plans to get together right when we got back because we wanted to hear all about each others trips<3. For some people this is very hard to understand, but I can physically feel you trying to lift my spirits. I haven't cried much these past two days- that could be because I simply have no tears left- but I'd like to think that it is because you are lifting my spirits, telling me that your in a happy place.. so much happier then you ever could have been on earth (if it is even possible to be happier then you were on earth!). The day after your passing, I was coaching at GOAL and this little girl was starting her trial week. She was so happy and bubbly and her name was Olive, which was just so precious. I couldn't help but think that she reminded me of you, with her bleach blonde hair and her adorable smile. Right after i thought that, she pulled out a bright yellow swim cap and I knew you had sent this little 5 year old girl to make me smile. If i ever had doubts about God and heaven before, your death has made them completely vanish. God has to have an urgent and very important plan to take a girl like you off this earth for a completely unknown reason and so suddenly. I just pray that you can keep comforting all those that knew you and help them realize that what has happened is for the best<3 keep shining your light up in heaven. Thanks for the countless memories and always making me smile. Words really can't describe the impact you've had on my life. Love you Katie baby, and as always, you motivate me to stay cute:)