Memories of Ava

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Dear Ava,

The day you were born you arrived face first, and the doctors and nurses were astounded. We knew then that you were someone special.

Watching you and Athan as babies, and then little people with fun personalities brought me so much joy. You both loved singing and dancing for us, and putting on mock weddings.

You’ve always had a quiet confidence to you, which connected you to so many friends. I love that about you - that you have such a diverse group of friends and had at least one or two with you at all times.

I think of you everyday and wonder what you’d be doing. I see beauty in everyday things that remind me of you. And everyday I wish you were here because we miss you so much.

Love you Ava, 💚 Mel

"I didn’t know Ava very well, but I have always admired her. We had ceramics together last year, just for one semester, but it was enough time to understand how incredibly special she was. Ava had this way of being kind to everyone around her. It wasn’t just me; she treated everyone with the same kindness and care, no matter who they were. She never cared about social groups or popularity; she just saw people for who they really were. Whether you were close to her or barely knew her, she made you feel like you mattered, like you belonged. I truly believe Ava’s spirit will keep making the world softer and more caring, even now. I’ll never forget her. Her kindness, her strength, and her ability to notice people and make them feel seen made more of an impact than she probably ever knew. I carry those moments with me, and I will for the rest of my life. Thank you for raising someone so extraordinary. I hope you feel, even in the smallest ways, how much love is wrapped around your family right now. Ava mattered deeply. She still does. And she always will." - Keslin

"We kidnapped a mouse from the barn and named him Whiskers. I brought him home in my lunch box without my mom knowing. He lived in a toy horse trailer for 2 days. I love you, Ava." - Danielle

 "Ava 's chicken got lost, so we drove around in her truck, playing chicken noises out of the speaker in hopes of finding it." - Madison 

" Ava and I would talk in classes and she would walk up to me when she saw me and would poke my stomach and I would poke hers and she would do a little giggle and would tell me everything going on in her life and would ask me about mine. Every time she’d see me in the hallways she would do this one finger wave and I only ever did it with her. I loved getting to see her bright smile in the halls. I love you so much Ava💚" - Kyonna

"I remember being at a BBQ when you were a baby, Ava. I walked through the kitchen and someone else was holding you. You reached for me as I walked by, and in that moment, I felt so much love for you, and that love has never gone away." - Amy

"My favorite memory with Ava is when my family moved to Portland, and she graciously let me live with her and her family in Scappoose. We spent the whole summer together. " - Annie

"All of our barn trips and horse shows, spending countless hours with our horses, and the Dutch and Burgerville stops. I love you, Ava Lee." - MK

"I will always cherish Ava's sweet and kind nature. She will forever hold a special place in my heart as my little spring break sidekick. I will celebrate the shared memories of Ava and the amazing human she has become. I love you always, Ava." - Kelly

"One of my best memories with Ava was during our freshman year winter formal. Although we didn’t attend the same school, I was fortunate enough to bring her to my school's winter formal. It was one of the first few times we had hung out since leaving our elementary and middle school years and starting high school. As we got ready together, we talked about how excited we were for the night, and I just remember thinking, “Wow. Me and this girl really are gonna be friends for life.” It felt so natural to be with each other despite not being a part of each other's everyday lives anymore. I am incredibly grateful for all the shared memories of Ava, the smiles, and the love we experienced over our almost 13 years of friendship." - Taylor

"When Ava was younger, she, along with May and Makayla, would come over for sleepovers at my house in the family room. I would prepare platters of delicious veggies and snacks because they all loved healthy food—Lo too. They would stay up all hours, singing, using the karaoke, and I could hear the TV, giggles, and trips to the kitchen well past midnight. I would sneak down around 3 AM just to see them all sleeping so I could finally rest. I cherished these moments so much and felt so honored they found joy in being there." - Grandma

"When my mom and I used to teach Ava's lessons, it was always my favorite time to be at the barn. I'll never know if she heard the 2,000 times I'd tell her to put her heels down, but I did always know she was humming away and happy as always. I love you, Ava." - Hannah

"My favorite memory of Ava is when I would see her in the hallway at school, and I would tell her to let her mom and Lolo know that I said hi and that I missed them." - Kayla

"my other favorite memory of Ava Lee is when we had ceramics together I always said hi to her every single time I saw her in ceramics when I was a freshman or when I saw her in the hallway with Mallory.

I love her and miss her every day "

- love Kayla

"Ava and I singing and dancing for our families when we were little kids is one of my favorite shared memories of Ava." - Ari

"Ava running around with her cousins at Grammy and Grandpa's house, surrounded by love and laughter." - Inga

"Once I was babysitting Ava and Lolo, and during that time, Ava helped me set up an imaginative game with stuffed animals and other toys where we pretended to be the toys for Lolo. She truly was a loving and caring sister." - Maddie

"I will never forget Ava's fake 5th birthday in her adorable sombrero. Seeing her again many years later, all grown up and absolutely gorgeous with her radiant smile, was a beautiful reminder of our shared memories of Ava. It felt as if no time had passed. She made us feel so welcome and loved, and I hope we made her feel the same. Forever in our hearts." - Summer and Rik

"I will always cherish the way Ava would link arms with me as we walked together, arm in arm, regardless of where we were or how old she was. It meant so much to me how she included me in her hobbies, work, school, and social lives." - Mom

"We got snowcones together, and then asked my mom for money and ended up with double snowcones!" - Emma

"My favorite memory with Ava consists of several moments in Summer 2024. Ava taught me to say yes and to enjoy life to the fullest that summer and into the new year. I’ll be forever thankful for our late night drives, movie days, Dutch runs, tanning days, and of course, food runs. I love you endlessly, Ava Lee." - Brooklyn

"Love you, Ava. Thank you for always being willing to take care of our pets when needed. Knowing you were watching them brought Britt and I comfort in our travels. Please keep watching over us. We will miss you." - Branch

"Although I am known as a scatter-brain, Ava was the only child I ever lost. We were at the zoo and we ran around like crazy and finally found her. My memory was we were the crazy ones - Ava was calm but glad to see us! I will always think of Ava with love when I go to the zoo!" - Sharon