Saying Goodbye to Ry

As a kid, you don’t have a lot of say about the other kids your parents force you to spend time with. Just because *they* are friends, it doesn’t mean *you* will necessarily click. Thankfully for me, it did. Ryan Smith was my very first friend. Our moms were pregnant with our older siblings at the same time and then again two years later with us.

As babies, we were together constantly. By the time we went off to preschool we felt like old friends. I remember being so bummed when I found out that we wouldn’t be able to go to kindergarten together. Thankfully, we were still in gymnastics and could see each other on the weekends to tide us over until we could be classmates again at Central Middle.

In those early years, we were together for birthdays, Christmas celebrations, pool parties, sports games, and everything in between. His friends became mine and mine, his. I was lucky enough to not only count him as a classmate during middle and high-school but throughout college as well. If taking baths as babies and sneaking smooches in his parents bathroom hadn’t solidified a lifelong friendship, our time at Michigan State did. Being with Ryan always felt like home. He was constantly making me laugh and putting everyone at ease. I’m so grateful for every party, every game, every down-for-whatever decision we shared.

Even though I didn’t seen him as often as I would have liked over the past few years, I always imagined he’d come back to Michigan and someday we’d be little old people together. And we’d tell everyone that we’ve literally never not been friends. I’m so sad we won’t get that. But I’m absolutely heartbroken that his girls won’t get to have the opportunity to grow up with him by their side, cheering them on, making them feel loved and constantly cracking them up. Because he would. I know, because he always did that for me.

Love you, Ry. Thanks for being my first friend. I miss you so much already.