In Loving Memory

This one, as the title might suggest, is going to be a bit different from the rest of my posts.

In September 2008, my college friend Dianna came to visit me in Montana. Though Dianna was from Seattle, her mom grew up in my hometown and graduated from my high school. Dianna and I met at our first college track and field team meeting our freshman year and bonded over sharing a name. As it happened, we shared a whole lot more than just a name. We both taught swim lessons as a summer job. We both used to be in gymnastics. Our team colors were the same. Our high schools also had the same team colors – and mascot! We were in the same major. And the list goes on. We called each other Twin. And for Christmas one year, she made us shirts that said “Team Dian(n)a.” You get the picture.

We also shared a love of adventure, although compared to her I was pretty boring. Needless to say, when you put us in the same place at the same time, things got a little bit ridiculous.

So here we were, Dianna’s first time in Montana and my first summer of having my own car. The result? Handstanding all over southwest Montana and Yellowstone National Park. Dianna never did anything halfway. She was the definition of determination and passion. So once handstand #1 occurred, there wasn’t a place we went that didn’t also include a handstand. Hopefully we’re in at least one person’s memories and stories as ‘those crazy girls doing handstands all over the place.’

Sadly, Dianna passed away three years ago this month. I take comfort in knowing that she was doing what she loved when it happened. But I still miss her every day. So this one is for you, Di. Wherever you are now, I hope you’re handstanding away. I love you.