Quincy, IL - United States
How did you know Grace?
I first met Grace in 2017. I was a new dance teacher at her moms dance studio. Grace and I instantly connected. She treated me as if she had known me her whole life. We were both outgoing, loud, and loved to talk so we got along VERY well. Every Tuesday I would come to class and here would come Grace with that goofy smile on her face to greet me.
What is a memory you have of Grace? How did Grace impact your life?
My favorite memories with Grace would definitely have to be after the last class of the night, Kyra, Hayley, Grace and I would all jam out to music or help encourage Grace to work on her aerial. (I remember being in awe of how talented she was. She could do ANYTHING she put her mind to and giving up on that aerial was something she was NOT going to do.) We would all mess around & just have fun. You would have never known the years of age difference between all four of us. We truly were one big happy family. Grace impacted my life in many ways when she passed away. I look at life differently now. The sun shines a little brighter and I think of her. I see a #belikegrace sign in a strangers yard and it instantly makes me smile. I love telling people about her when they ask about my #belikegrace shirt or bracelet. I hug my friends tighter and remind them how loved they are. I love making people laugh even more now than I did before because that was one thing Grace and I were always doing. Always laughing. Grace had the most beautiful smile and contagious laughter. I miss her every day. But I see her everywhere. She is the sun and the beauty in the world around me. I love you forever Gracie girl!