This past week, an amazing family lost their young daughter. Zoe was an incredible girl who lit up any room she walked in – truly – just exactly like you see in the movies. She was bubbly, quick-witted, creative, and had accomplished so much at 22 years old and yet still had so much ahead of her. Her passing was the first I’ve experienced as an adult, and the initial shock lasted until my family and I attended her celebration of life.
The line was literally out the door and the room was filled with beautiful flowers and photos of her doing her favorite things. I was so happy to learn so much about her that I didn’t know; her experience in her sorority, her dedication to an amazing business called Bistro 163, and her lifelong love for animals. After speaking with her family, their stories of Zoe and descriptions on how they were attempting to navigate their journey of grief inspired me to write about my own and reminisce on some of the memories I was personally able to share with her.
Zoe was only a few years younger than me, and our parents worked together on local campaigns when we were in high school. Being two young teenagers, we naturally grew close at events we were attending with our families and would chat and do a little gossiping while our parents campaigned and strategized and worked. I remember several parades we walked in those summers where we were both dripping in sweat in our campaign t-shirts and throwing candy out of 20 pound buckets. (Convincing ourselves were going to give us the most toned arms in the world). We also half-laughed, half-complained together over the chafing we experienced walking the parade routes in jean shorts…never a good idea.
I once did her hair and makeup for a school dance. Our families hadn’t been friends for very long yet, and being shy and introverted at that age, I remember a feeling of relief when the conversation flowed easily and we had the best time chatting for the few hours I spent helping her prepare for a big day. Talking with Zoe was like talking to an old friend you’d known forever.
Another aspect of Zoe I will never forget is her relationship with her mom, Adrienne. Their bond was even further visible at the celebration of life. I heard one person in line say, “You think her mom’s a firecracker, Zoe was a pistol.” The two really do share an amazing personality that echoes in every room they enter. Both have the ability to make someone feel comforted, excited, confident, and on top of all that – provide a guaranteed laugh.
I know that Zoe will continue to impact many lives through the optimism she personified, the laughter she made contagious, and the hope she gave to friends and family. Sending love to and keeping her parents, Adrienne and Scott, as well as her twin brother, Avery in my thoughts.
