I was working at the Cabin and living with Heather on Blueberry Hill when I first met Al. Heather told me about someone who she had met at work and he lived in his van and had silver hair. Oh and he was a ski bum... big time. At first that's all I knew, but after the first mention of Al, there were more and more. Then of course there was Heather. She was glowing and giggly and, well, you could just tell. I remember one day, not soon after, Heather asked me: So, what do you think? Just four little words, but I remember it struck me. Firstly, because I thought why is she asking me for my opinion on relationship advice?! But also, because when she asked me I knew what else could I say? I saw how she positively beamed with love and hope and happiness (if you know Heather she is always beaming, so this was even more). I think I asked her if she liked him, which of course she said yes, and then I said something like yeah, he's great, go for it, or something like that. Pretty sure she wasn't listening to me at that point anyway. To this day I'm really happy for very small part I got to play in their story together. Our lives have continued to intersect over the years, in good times and bad, and sometimes I feel that the universe has somehow tied us together forever.

When Al first got sick I remember a panic coming over me and I wanted so much to be there. Feeling helpless, powerless and I had just sent Heather a baby gift for Colt. How could this happen? It seemed unimaginable, but somehow Heather and Al somehow managed to demonstrate a grace that stayed with me. This grace was important to me as years later, when my husband got sick with cancer at a time when I had babies at home, I remember that it helped me to have your friendship more than I ever got to say. Heather, you came when I needed you and picked me up off the floor and made me laugh, forget for a moment, and remember that the relationships in our lives are what's most important. I don't think either one of us ever wanted to have cancer in our families as something we had in common, but I am so grateful to have had Heather and Al's support and love over the years. I love you guys so much.

Al, thanks for making my friend so happy. You have made her light up like the fairy-sparkle-out-of-this-world-christmas-tree she is. (Heather is the wordsmith, not me, but you get what I mean.) You guys have created a beautiful family together. You're the best of the best. So much love to you ❤️