I’ve been trying to reflect back on my specific favourite memory with Laura. The thing is, I can’t just chose one. The memories I have of Laura were things that we just did on a regular day, but all of them have this sparkle of magic in them. Laura made every day, normal things fun.
I met Laura for the first time while working for Ryan, at Symetric. My first real grown up job. It was intimidating and nerve-racking to say the least. She casually came in, and introduced herself and was so kind, and sweet immediately.
After that, I would hope for the days that Laura would show up to the office with the girls. When the door would *ding* to open, I’d always hope it was them. They used to invade my office. Laur would sit and chat with me every single time she came in. She would ask how my day was, and we got to know each other. The girls would colour, or watch the “dog and the horse” video, or I’d teach them strange facts about beavers.
We often went for lunches down at the market square to get Jose’s, or Beechwood. On occasion we’d go on a shopping trip together.
Some of my all time favourite memories are:
When I came into my office to find a notebook and a card on my desk for absolutely no reason. It was just to say thank you for being ono the team, and making it so that Ryan could finally take some time off.
The day we went to Mahtay for lunch. I was visiting, and working from there. She came to meet up. We chatted, and as lunch wound down, and she told me that she was going back to school. We cried, we hugged. I was so excited for her.
Her birthday party. I was so awkward, but she managed to get me dancing in the living room by the end of the night. Somehow we ended up in the basement, petting bunnies.
Third Eye Blind in Toronto. I knew her and Ry were going, and I was going with John and some other friends would be there. I was planning to just say a quick hello, expecting her and Ry would want to enjoy the concert themselves. We ended spending the whole night together, dancing, and singing, while the band played the whole self titled album front to back. My friends were a little silly, but Ryan and Laur didn’t mind.
The first time I went to the Niagara Falls house. Derek and I went for lunch, and Laura made the most amazing burger and mango salad. It was the first time I realized what a good cook she was. I still make that mango salad to this day.
The day I told her I was engaged.
The day we met at the mall. I’d been going through a super difficult time in my life. I was a mess, I’d been crying and anxious. She just listened. She really, really listened to me. She comforted me, and she also encouraged me to get support if I needed it.
And then.. there are also so many of these flickering, fleeting moments, of comments that Laura would say in the car or in a text. So many jokes about our bad chipped nail polish, or our red and unmanageable hair. My DM’s will never be full of the same happiness and the same positivity. I could always count on Laur to have something kind to say.
Since Laura’s been gone, I’ve been seeing her everywhere.
In the beautiful sunsets, in smiling at strangers, in the market flowers.
I will always think of Laura when I find an amazing peony.
I always, always think of Laura when Third Eye Blind comes on. Or when Death Cab For Cutie comes on. Or when that Bon Iver song Ryan used to play wayyyy to much comes on.
I will always think of Laura when I pull that mug out of my cupboard, or when I use the Pantone notebook out of my Scrabble box.
I will think of her when I’m quiet, and on a bike by the water.
I will now think of her when I shift gears in my standard car (if anyone needs lessons).
I will think of her when I'm on a country road, with my windows down and Motorcycle Drive By is blaring and I'm singing at the top of my lungs.
I will miss her so much, she was truly exceptional, and a true light in this world.