Sara is one of my best friends. I have known her since the sixth grade. I don’t remember the moment we met. I do know that was new to the school and we were easy friends. We lived down the street from one another and we walked to and from school together. We shared a lot of similar interests and that common interest laid the foundation for a forever friendship. We played soccer and volleyball together. We both enjoyed art.

We attended different colleges in Upstate NY and through it all remained great friends. She received her PhD in Analytical Chemistry from UC Riverside giving me a reason to frequent the West Coast. We stood up in each other’s weddings. When I called to tell her I was pregnant I had a strong sense that she was pregnant, too. In fact, our first pregnancies were due on the same day. Our second pregnancies were weeks apart. Our girl pairs call each other birthday twins. Even her parents and sister’s families are wildly supportive of me and my crew and a tremendous part of our community. Since Antonio passed, they have included us in their yearly summer beach plans. I am so extremely grateful for her love and friendship.

There is no surprise that when I shared with her our Care box initiative, she was all in. She gave liberally and generously. She gushed with incredible feedback about the Care boxes and what it did for her. I thought it was powerful. Seemingly small acts of kindness are mighty. I asked her to share her experience.

Sara- your email came right on time. I thank God for you. I truly appreciate your love and friendship. Love always wins