I went to high school with Emily for all 4 years. Although Emily and I were friends freshman, sophomore and junior year, we became GREAT friends senior year and the summer before college. I often hung out w/ Emily, Megan and Colleen together. Us 4 had a bond. There are so many memories and good times that I don’t just have one story to tell. From going to the N’ Sync concert w/ her, to being w/ her at Las Vegas Night…the memories are great. Emily had a great affect on my life. Emily and I were very alike in personality. We were both loud and had a love for laughter and fun. You would think two people with the same personality may clash, but no. When we were together our laughter and loudness and fun doubled. So many times when the 4 of us hung out, we would spend the majority of the time just LAUGHING. One time in particular, we were all hanging out in my basement and Emily and I started “rapping” to an, of course, offbeat tune. We went on and on rhyming and just being goofy. I made up a line that was AWFUL. It didn’t work…it didn’t make sense. It was just plain BAD. Well Emily just lost it! She laughed at me and laughed and laughed. It wasn’t even funny! As we all know, Emily’s laugh is quite contagious. The 4 of us laughed until our sides hurt…until my family could hear us on the top floor and until we didn’t even know what we were laughing at anymore. Emily had a way of making the most boring situation lively and humorous. Emily and I fed off each other’s words a lot and always had such a good time. When I went through a tough time in my life, Emily’s smile and corny jokes made everything seem better. Even when she felt sick she was funny. She pushed herself and fought the battle of her disease w/ endless integrity. We stayed in the same room for our senior retreat and I will never forget that night. Emily, Colleen and I stayed up and talked and laughed for what seemed like forever. Although I may not have known Emily as well as some of her other friends did, I knew what kind of person she made ME want to be. She had this twinkle in her eyes and a smile that is known to all who knew her. She had a distinctive laugh that will echo in my ears as long as I live. Her joy for life and her sarcasm and strength were apparent in all she did. The amount of lives that Ems touched in her short 18 years is absolutely amazing. She greeted everyone w/ her beautiful smile and made them feel special. She had a way with people and the people she touched will carry her with them and keep her here forever. This has been one of the most devastating times of my life, yet remembering the stories, the laughter and the endless amazing qualities Emily had will help me heal. My heart goes out to her family and I hope they know they are in my thoughts and prayers. I was with Emily over Thanksgiving break and when I said goodbye I remember thinking…”what an amazing person..I can’t wait to see her again”. And I will someday…but until then she will forever hold a place in my heart and bring out the joy and laughter in my life. This is a poem I wrote about her when I found out she had passed away: Emily~ An amazing person taken too soon, You’re laughter and smile always lit up the room. To me, you were always such a great friend, I really wish our good times didn’t have to end. From rapping about things such as “singular hardee”, To laughing and talking….you were the life of the party. You have no idea how much you’ll be missed, You had so many great qualities…to many to list. I will never forget the times that we had, You changed me as a person and for that I’m glad. I saw you only a short 2 weeks ago, I hope you know how much I love you and how much I don’t ever want to let you go. Jen~