To begin with this almissed.theere a marine. You spent months in boot camp preparing to fight for this country. You were such a succsessful young woman and had the drive that was stronger than anyone I have ever met. You were a beautiful young woman, with a smile that brightened up any room you entered. But lastly, you were my friend. Someone I counted on, someone I stole answers from in class and we would chuckle about it because the teacher never found our, and someone who held me when I cried.

Missing you is an understatement. Missing you is something that no one will ever understand. The feeling I got when I recieved the message that you had passed is unexplainable, and I dont think that anyone will ever understand it.

Olivia Kustes was the girl this letter is about. I shared the same water with her when we got baptized. I slept above her in a bunk bed for six months straight. I sat next to her on the couch and we attended church together every Sunday that we could. Olivia taught me everything I know about the Bible, and how to keep my faith strong. She showed me how to get through times that are hard, and even how to smile when all I wanted to do was frown. I watched Olivia graduate high school, and even take extra classes like the over achiever she was. I watched Olivia do 100 push ups in our room at night because she was training to be a marine. She had the drive I never thought I could have, but now she has to live through me.

I don't think your passing will ever leave my mind. You were my best friend the 10 months we lived together. Its an inexplicable pain I'll never be able to describe.

The worst part about it all, is that you messaged me two days ago and I didnt respond. Its what hurts the most. I regret it now.

The moral of this is to love and appreciate everyone you come across. Recognize the symbols of what they are teaching you. Know that within a blink of an eye they can be gone, and smile everytime you are with them.

Olivia, semper fi. You will be missed my dear soldier.

01.16.2019