Dear Karina,

Wow, I can’t believe it has been 3 years and 7 months. That is 1317 days. 1317 long, hard days without you. I always wondered where you’d be at in life, where our friendship would be at in life. Lets be honest, friendships after high school are hard to maintain. That goes for a lot of people.

Karina, you were the most gorgeous, angelic human being anyone has ever come to know. I still don’t understand how it all happened and I don’t think that I ever will. You were such a happy and positive person. I remember what it was like to get the news. I was so shocked and just.. my mouth dropped. I was speechless.

I was in the gym, on my phone, waiting to hear from you… I never thought I would hear “let us all take a moment of silence for one of our very own students, Karina Macedo.” I mean, I was not the greatest student or person, so why couldn’t I have been the one to get taken that soon? Why did you? You had goals, plans, so many opportunities. You never got to walk the field, you will never be able to get married, you will never be able to have a family. It truly is sad. You had people that loved and cared about you so much and still do. I just wish God didn’t have to take you so soon. I’m so proud to have had a friend that did not care or judge me for anything that I did. In fact, you were always there for me for every step of majority of the things. You are what gave me hope. You are who helped me when I had no one else to go to.

I always told myself that if I ever have a little girl, I would name her after you. So I did. She’s just as beautiful and smart as you. She reminds me of you in so many ways already. I know you’d love her.

Every day that goes by mean another day closer to seeing you. I truly hope all of your family and friends makes you smile and happy. I will never forget you.

No one will ever forget you or the impact you left on us.

1317 days and counting. 1317 days closer to seeing you again. Watch over all of your loved ones.

Rest easy, Karina. We can’t wait to see you soon.