Alex and I met during our freshman year in college. We had both joined the same sorority at the University of Maryland. Piled into a room with about 30 other freshmen who had accepted a bid from Tri Delta, we awkwardly huddled together, taking photos and mingling.
Alex had long, beautiful, dirty-blonde hair and piercing blue eyes. I always considered myself short, but Alex maybe came up to my shoulder. She was tiny, but she was fierce.
I quickly learned that not only was Alex incredibly smart, she was also the life of the party. She balanced schoolwork, a job, a social life and eventually being a dog mom. I always marveled, thinking, “She can do it all.”
I’m not sure how or when it happened, but Alex, our other best friend Abby and I became very close, very quickly. We were all so different, but we clicked as if we’d been friends forever.
We spent all of our time together: studying for exams, going to parties and even grocery shopping.
Some of my favorite memories are of the three of us sitting on the floor of my apartment, giggling about something and teasing each other about another thing.
It wasn’t always sunshine and rainbows. The three of us fought like sisters. We all have strong personalities, and friend groups of three can be hard to navigate. We always felt comfortable enough to call each other out, express when we were hurt or mad, and occasionally yell at each other. But we always made up. We always figured it out, even if we didn’t always agree.
I want to remember Alex for who she was when she was here — not for the last few weeks of her life. It’s weird because I can hear her voice when I think of her. I think if I heard it in a crowded room, I would know it was Alex immediately.
Over time, you think you’d forget those details, but I haven’t. Alex and I always said “you’re my person” referencing Grey’s Anatomy’s Meredith Grey and Christina Yang. I knew that I could always confide in Alex and I knew she would always have my back.
I remember how, for my birthday, she traveled to New Jersey to celebrate with me.
I remember when we stayed overnight at this very sketchy hotel after a concert, and Alex woke me up, saying there were bedbugs and we had to leave … but not before she demanded a refund for our room at 2 a.m.
I remember when Alex met me and my dad at an Orioles game, and afterward, she couldn’t remember where she parked, so we roamed the garage for a solid 45 minutes looking for her car.
I remember when Alex and I went up to a guy in a bar and yelled at him after he was mean to Abby. Alex, especially, would not let that fly!
She was loyal, feisty, fun and curious. She never let anything stop her.
She was slightly stubborn … but if you knew Alex, it was because she was determined to be the best and to do it all on her own.
I often think about how unfair it is that she isn’t here. I know she would have graduated from vet school at the top of her class. She would have been an incredible veterinarian. She was an amazing friend, daughter, sister, niece and person.
I’m so lucky to have had her in my life, and she will forever be a part of my life.
Note from Mitch: One of my goals with both this blog and this foundation is to build a legacy for Alex that she didn’t have the chance to build for herself. It occurred to me recently that, if I want to preserve Alex for the world, I can’t do that alone.
I knew Alex well, but I didn’t know her completely. I didn’t know social Alex. I didn’t know her as a friend. I was her father, but I was not her “person.”
So I reached out to Meg and asked her to tell me about the Alex she knew. I love that I can still learn new things about her. I hope to convince others to share about the Alex they knew. If you have memories you would like to share, leave a comment below or use the contact form on this site.
Thank you, Meg, for being the first to do this. I hope you won’t be the last.
Mitch and Dakota are participating in the Million Mile this month in Alex’s memory. They are raising funds for childhood cancer research so Alex’s story doesn’t have to be someone else’s story.
You can donate here.
All donations are matched by Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation.
Another wonderful story. Thank you Meg. I never met Alex but heard many wonderful stories about her.
She is resting peacefully, where that is and sure in complete control.
Absolutely love this Mitch !
I’m so happy you are doing this for Alex and you and for Meghan and all who were connected in some ways to your beautiful awesome daughter
💕