Hellos and Good-byes

Life is one continuous string of meeting people, saying our hellos, sharing ourselves and then eventually saying a final good-bye.

Neil was a special person in my life. I met him the first time at a party another friend was hosting. We were both 16. We dated our junior and senior years of high school. Going to different high schools, we attended both of our Junior Proms and Senior Balls. We were so "grown-up" then, dressed in our formal wear.

Eventually we went our own paths ... married someone else, had children, divorced and found new lives again. One thing remained constant through all of our life changes, we stayed good friends. When our 25th high school reunions rolled around, it just seemed natural we should go to both ... together as a couple again!

Last September, Neil was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and died too soon after that. So, when we are eventually all together again, after we've seen the family and friends that once made such a difference in our lives ... I want one last dance with my first love, my high school sweetheart and my lifetime friend.