It's slightly cliche, that saying about people walking in and out of our lives but leaving footprints on our hearts. I suppose I prefer to think of it as pieces of our heart dedicated to individuals; our memories of and love for them. The piece of my heart that belongs to Kait Schlegel is significant and at the moment, feeling a little empty. Our memories were not complete.
I was supposed to see her this summer at a wedding. Our ten year reunion is right around the corner.
And yet, I feel selfish for wanting more time with her. Her friendship was so rich, such a gift during our teenage years.
We shared much during that time. Chorus, select chorus, musicals...a few classes here and there (let's be real the girl was brilliant...I didn't take near enough Honors or AP classes for our curriculum to overlap much), and youth group. Oh, youth group...I think that's most likely how we met. I feel so blessed I got to pray and worship and sing with her so many times there.
There are a few specific memories of Kait that stand out the most, and highlight her beautiful personality.
Our junior prom she hosted a fun sleepover after party. I remember staying up and talking in her room, pulling copious amounts of bobby pins out of our hair. I went to a few parties at her house for various birthdays and special gatherings, always having a blast, laughing until it hurt. She came to my birthday parties, too. I still have the 2 page letter she wrote me for my Sweet 16.
Senior year I got in a serious car accident on the highway. I was fine physically, but the next day at school I broke down in tears right at the end of chorus. Kait was the one who held me while I cried, who tactfully and fiercely shielded me from prying eyes/our choral teacher's reprimand that the bell had rung.
In our Musical Theatre class we were stoked to get put together for the number "Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better." I remember singing it in class, out of class, being ridiculous together and laughing. (Most memories of Kait involve that, and I'm sure I'm not alone in that.)
Other memories are hazy now, vague from both years gone by and the plenitude of them. I remember that she gave great advice; I turned to her frequently for help with romance, friendships, school, etc etc. She was my cheerleader, lifting me up when I was down on myself or lacking confidence in my abilities, whether they be academic or musical or whether I just had the blues.
I think that some of my favorite memories are from our junior year English class. We sat right next to each other, at a group of four with Matt and Brittany. Constant giggles and laughter. Constant. I used to write her these long, elaborate poems that she absolutely HATED. I would rhyme her name with anything and everything I could think of, writing them on the margins of papers and the backs of notebooks. "Kait is so great, she's a great date, you can pick her up at eight, but make sure you're not late"...and on and on and on. It got to the point where it could have ended our friendship if I didn't stop. (Just kidding :P) She was my number-one proof reader. I probably owe any good grades I got in that class to her, actually. She was so smart. I loved hearing her speak french, so fluently.
These are just an iota of all the good times we had together. I regret that it's been almost 8 years since graduation; 8 years since we last spoke and saw each other. Besides some facebook contact, we never really stayed in touch. I wish she could have met my husband and son. He loves to laugh as much as she did. It's so easy to picture his face lighting up at her laugh. But I know that this is the pain and beauty of growing up; we go out in the world and say goodbye to some to say hello to others. It doesn't take away from the friendship we shared, and I am eternally grateful for our time together. Kait touched my life in many ways, and I am a better person for knowing her.
Rest in peace, Kait...I love you, I miss you, and I pray we are reunited again someday <3
