Last Sunday, I was shocked to hear that a good friend of mine was in a terrible car accident. I didn't know his condition at first, but I knew I needed to take a trip to the hospital as soon as possible. Unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries the next day. I decided to write this letter in order to help me cope with my mixed emotions on losing a friend and to celebrate the amazing person that was Tejhan Plowden, known by most as TJ.

Dear Tejhan,

It's only right I address you by your first name since you liked calling me by my middle name all the time. Let's take a brief trip down memory lane, shall we? I'm talking from the first moment I met you our senior year of high school up until the last time I saw you in early July. I remember that first party I met you at. All I knew walking into the party was that "this kid from South named TJ" was throwing it. It honestly felt like I was the only person in all of East Stroudsburg who didn't know you. You introduced yourself to me as I was leaving and soon after, you were talking smack in my messages about how South's football team was the greatest in the world. All I could do was shake my head and let you believe that.

As time progressed, I started to realize that you were more than just a football player who threw parties every weekend. You were super smart, even though I would never admit it to your face, and I never saw you without a smile. When my family needed help moving into our new house, you didn't even hesitate to come help us. My father always brings up the fact that you carried in my parents' dresser all by yourself while my brother and his two friends struggled to carry...everything. My mother talks about how respectful and patient you were, especially with Evan (my 5-year-old brother). It's safe to say you made quite the impression on them from that day forward.

I was so proud when you made the decision to take your talents to Bethune-Cookman University in Florida. You were nervous about the move, but we both knew it was the right decision. You were on a mission to gain that 50 pounds to get a starting position and I encouraged it. While we were having a brutal winter in Pennsylvania, you were sending me endless Snapchats of you sprawled out on a beach blasting Migos. I was jealous until you invited my friends and me down there for spring break 2016. We basically had our bags packed and ready to go the second you offered. You would call me randomly to vent about practice and classes and how "weird the people talked down there." I got so used to hearing your voice on the regular this past semester that it was weird when we would go days without talking.

Long story short, I appreciate every second, minute, and hour that I got to know you. Whether it was a phone call on the way to class or a simple "good morning" text, having you in my life was truly a blessing. I'll miss our long-winded sports debates that often ended with one of us falling asleep. I'll miss that loud, crazy laugh the first time you ever beat me in Trivia Crack. I'll miss you falling asleep when we made plans to go out. Most of all, I'll miss you cheering me up when I'm having a bad day. I know you're up in heaven making people smile just like you made me smile countless times these past two years.

Rest in eternal peace, handsome. Play some real football with the legends up there, OK?

Love,

Kayla Nyree