June 18th | 4 years

I met Garic my freshman year during winter term. I remember him coming to class late, and having to sit next to me on the front row. Over those next three weeks we became friends, good friends actually. He had just gotten back from his deployment with the Marines. I had an instant respect and fondness of him. He was likeable. Class was over and we went about our ways. That following fall semester I joined my sorority. I also had another class with him. Naturally, we sat next to each other. We bonded all over again, and wondered why we didn't stay in touch. He kept trying to set me up with his little brother. I was unavailable and uninterested. In a nutshell, I was still with my high school boyfriend of (on again off again) 6 years. I know. Enough about that. After We broke up, he tried harder. He's persistent. Anyways,  he gave up on trying to set us up after two semesters of failed invites and somewhat convincing arguments.

A year passed. I moved on. And one night, my sorority sisters talked me into going to a cookout. And if you read my blog, you know that's where I met my now husband. He was persistent, too. I can still remember him telling me to give him a call later. Lol, I don't call boys. Mama taught me that. Jokingly, I said "I only know one person that's a Sigma Nu, and he's not even here to vouch for you." He asked who it was. I said Garic. What do you know, he's Garic's little brother. I laughed. God, you work in mysterious ways.

Shortly after we began dating, Garic passed away. It's been four years. Four years of missing our friend and brother. This day is always hard. But the days in between are hard, too. There honestly isn't a day that I don't think of him and wish he were still here. You see, he loved life. He embodied what a friend is supposed to be. He was honest to the core, and loyal to a fault. He laughed hard, loved hard, and fought hard. He helped my husband grieve the loss of his mother. He guided him through his first years of college. He was a shoulder to lean on, and he had your back. I grew up that day. I saw life differently. I saw people differently. Losing someone like that will do that to you.

So badly I wish he were here to share this time with Pat and I. I wish he could meet my son. I wish he could love him, and teach him, and encourage him only the way Garic can. He would've been the best uncle. Four years seems like a lifetime ago. But at the same time it feels like yesterday. So, here's to celebrating a beautifully impactful life. Here's to laughter and friendship. Here's to you, Garic.


It's been a long day without you my friend, and I'll tell you all about when I see you again.