I did not know Matthew well but we were both music fans. I thought I would post a photo that I took of the lead singer of Five Finger Death Punch. They were one of his favorite bands. I thought the jesture the singer gave was appropriate for how everybody feels about Matthew's departure. 

I did that to.

Now keep in mind that he was SUPPOSED to get dressed up with us, but nothing we said would convince him. So we took a bunch of photos by ourselves and then dragged him into this shot. We all know if Matthew could time travel he would've robbed a bank from the wild west!

I le never for get that day little brother when you asked to ride my dirtbike. Lord knows you were a wild one like me most of my friends who were very experienced riders were scared to get on that thing. The deal was I told you if you couldn't start it you couldn't ride it so you went to work. I knew that bike is one of the hardest to start I thought no way he le ever get this death machine started. Of course though somehow you got lucky as can be and she back fired and started. All I could think to my self was damn it I made you a promise but your mom's gona kill me. But I gave you my helmet and let you go anyway. I had never seen you look that way after the first time round the pasture you were just hilariously shocked by the power I should have stopped you there. You went on riding though I should have seen it coming when you loaded her up in 2nd and twisted the throttle. You went over so quick it scared me but you got up laughing I thought you crazy little booger. I wish we could have many more times rideing dirt bikes together could have taught you a little better how to ride. But every time I go out rideing that thing I le be thinking of you little brother and how I wish you were rideing next to me. 

Anyone who talked to Matthew in the past couple months probably heard his newest catchphrase: "get rekt (wrecked) ya noob". Matthew mysteriously managed to master a thick Scottish brogue and used it most often to deal out sick burns. We were fortunate to convince one of his friends to record a session of his accent at wrestling districts two weeks ago, which comes off as a full-on comedy skit.

Matthew would do anything and everything to make the people around him laugh. At one point in our lives he'd lie upside-down on my bed and I'd draw a little face on him so he could be "Juan the chin-man". At another time he'd dance around the house in nothing but his underwear. No matter what mood I was in or what mood I wanted to be in, he always managed to force me to crack a smile. I knew he had the ability to make me laugh any time, anywhere, but I never understood, until I heard this clip, how much others enjoyed his entertainment as well.

I've always been so serious, and he's always been there to keep me lighthearted. I don't know who's supposed to keep me lighthearted now, who's supposed to come up with puns so terrible that I can only glare at them. I know he'd be making fun of me right now for crying so much, but if he wants me to stop then he's gotta get down here and tell me himself.

I don't know what he'd say to all of us right now. He had a way with words and people that I'll probably never have. But if I had to think of his voice in my head, I think he'd say to all of us: "hey kid, it's gonna be okay. I'm always here for you." 

Oh Matthew, I could go on and on about that kid amd how many memories we have together. I will never forget any of them and I am so glad that I have gotten to know him as long as I did. His heart of gold, kindness, and jokes are some of the things I am going to miss the most. But one story I have that really touched me the most was after my great grandfather had died in the middle of my sophomore year...He had randomly texted me after I got the news about it and quite frankly I wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone, but for some reason my heart told me to text him back and tell him what happened. So I did, and about two minutes after sending him that text I got a phone call and his named popped up on my screen. When I picked up the phone all I heard was, "I am always going to be here for you." That's when I lost it, and I sat on the phone with him crying, laughing and smiling on the day when I thought that was going to be impossible because he always knew what to say. From that day on, he would always check in on me just to see how my day was going. Most days he wouldn't even ask but he would just walk up to me and give me the biggest and most loving hug. In fact he did this on the last day I saw him, just gave me a huge hug and told me "love you kid." Whenever he said this to someone he meant it, and I am so thankful that I got to hear it from him. This is something I am going to miss and cherish for the rest of my life. 

He was like my little brother and will always hold a very special place in my heart. I will think about him everyday and miss him always. Matthew, thank you for all the smiles, laughs, hugs, and memories that will last me a lifetime. I know you will be there for me even when I don't know it. Heaven truly has the most amazing and precious angel now and even though our hearts are hurting down here, we know that you are watching us from up above and will always be there next to us. Have fun in Paradise and I will see you again someday. Love you Kid. 

The second he figured out he was taller than me, Matthew would parade around with the smuggest look on his face (you know the one). From there on out I was "the short sibling", the "little sister", and apparently his new arm rest. I always told him he had to wait until he was 26 - since I was taller than him for 13 years, he could only brag when he'd be taller than me for at least that long. He'd always reply "yeah, you keep talking...you were taller for 13 years but I'm gonna be taller for the rest of my life". 

I knew he was right so I made him stand in the clam hole for this pic - he obliged of course, knowing full well he'd get to step out of the hole and be a full four inches taller than me again. The joke was on him at the end of the day though - no shirt on meant he got the worst sunburn ever! 

For Matthew

What an amazing young man! 

Matthew touched so many lives! 

Matthew - you were a great friend! I've had a great time with you and I loved getting to know you and I will see you soon.

Matthew -

Knock
Knock

Who's there?

Freedom! 

To my good friend Matthew Albrecht -

In life, on and off the field and forever I will miss you.

This is not how I wanted to say goodbye, but I promise I'll be ready for that paintball match with you

Love you, bro 

Matthew -

Your spirit was unbelievable and your laughter radiated through the school like nothing I've ever seen before -

You will be missed by every single person here. - I know it with all my heart 

Matthew -

You were SO fun, nice, kind, very funny in activities.

You will be so missed! 

Matthew was a good person. He always had a bright smile on his face. He really was a good kid. Always welcomed people no matter what. He definitely brightened people's day.

Matthew will always be know as one of the kindest people. He will be missed dearly! 

Matthew was the most kind and passionate guy I've ever met.

Matthew was so amazing, and I'm so thankful for each and every moment I had with him!

Thank you for being such a great friend - 

Matthew -

You were a great person! I'm gonna miss our arguments over the Seahawks!

I'll keep you forever in my prayers. Rest in Peace bud - you will be missed! 

Matthew was a son to be so proud of - he was kind, gentle and always knew how to put a smile on people's faces.

He was kind to me when no one else was.

Matthew was a person to envy and I wanted to be just like him. 

Matthew was always the guy that made everyone smile. His passion was so admirable!

I will truly miss his craziness every day at lunch.

Stay strong and know he's in a better place. 

To our football arguments, bear hugs, 00's pop music renditions, and petty convos about our sad love lives.

You were a gift, Matt.

We love you lots - Thank you for EVERYTHING

'Merica on 3

(P.S. GO NINERS!)

love you Matt! 

Matthew -

Have fun in heaven - I know you will.

I've been praying for you and your family non-stop.

GO 'HAWKS!! 

There wasn't a person out there that Matthew didn't care about. He made everyone smile and laugh.

He was so passionate about everything he did and he put his all into everything. There wasn't one single time he didn't make you laugh even if he was making you mad at the same time.

You are gone Matthew, but we will never ever forget you! We love you! 

Matthew was  great person.

He was nice to just about everyone. He'd always try to make everyone laugh. 

We will miss you Matthew!

Matthew - make sure to make the angels laugh!

You were awesome George Washington!

3-4-2016  

Matthew,

You were an amazing guy. You didn't care what anybody thought about you. You loved all your friends so much! You truly were an amazing guy you will be missed by so many!

I love you ~ 

I'm going to really miss you, George Washington Man...

You would know what I meant :)

- R.I.P. 3/4/2016 

May you rest in where the bald eqgles fly free and there is freedom in the air.

RIP brother - 

Matthew, I loved your energy, buddy!

GO 'HAWKS!! 

I knew Matthew pretty well. He would always pick me up when I couldn't do so myself.

He was amazing! 

I knew Matt for a long time. At Bethany, playing basketball and then wrestling with him here in high school.

This year he became my wrestling partner and was super hard working. We both placed in districts and I was so proud of him. He helped and pushed me to do my best.  Matt will always be in my memories.

Matthew - 

There's lots of things to be said but words simply can't explain, you always picked on me but it was in a sense where we still respected each other

You're a fantastic guy and you helped set me on the right path to grow up and be who I am today - I have so much to thank you for. 

Matthew - you will always be in my thoughts. I will NEVER forget all the amazing memories we have together!

I love you.
Fly free, yee yee ...

R.I.P.  3/4/2016 

Matthew always stood up for what he thought. You could never see him without a smile and he was always a good guy.

I will miss him SO much! 

Matthew -

To your smile...
To you telling my bf's suck...

I will NEVER forget you - I love you Matt!
 

Matthew brought humor and happiness into the lives of everyone around him.

It was an honor to know him. 

I can't express how I feel through words but...

I hope your soul found freedom 

In Memory of Matthew Albrecht

Matthew,

I'm sorry you had to leave us so soon, but your memory will always live on with us, in our hearts.

I won't forget the good times we've had, or the laughs we've shared. God rest your soul my friend - you are finally free! 

Matthew was such an amazing person. He always knew how to make people smile even if he didn't know someone. He always made them happy. He made friends quickly because he was such a great guy.

Matthew always knew how to cheer me up and others up. He made me feel like I always had a friend, someone to rely on. He made me smile even if it was just a simple: smile, high-five, or a "hey". He always knew how to make everyone around him cheerful.

Matthew was an amazing person, athlete, and friend. He is a great at football, and wrestling. He will be forever missed and loved. He was amazing.

1999-2016-Matthew Albrecht. He lived a great life. 

Matthew was a great kid. He was always full of energy. He was also always kind and helpful. If you ever had a bad day he knew how to cheer you up.

I remember how I had a class with him last school year and every time after the teacher would call my name Matthew would turn around and ske me if I was related to another student and every time we would laugh because we both knew the answer to that question.

I remember how we would walk in the halls and joke around.

Matthew was a really great kid. He's definitely going to be missed! 

Matthew was a great person, he'd always find a way to make people laugh. He was a very energetic guy who'll be missed by everyone that knew him.

 I remember having gym class with him he loved every sport he played and always had a smile on his face no matter what.

Matthew, your spirit and presence in our school will never be forgetten. You have touched the lives of so many people although you may not have known. Including mine.

I got to know Matthew Sophmore year when I was a new student and he was one the first peole to make me feel comfortable. He asked me how MY day was going, said "hi!", and made me smile almost every single day that year, and although the action was small, that greatly impacted me.

I will miss seeing his smile and witnessing his countless passions. Matthew was a special kid and always semmed to put the happiness of others above himself. He genuinely cared for so many people. 

Honestly, I know people are sad that our dear friend Matt died so yound. I understand, We are mourning over a life that was taken from us, saying that he should have gotten more time on earth. He didn't deserve this.

But Matt was one of those people that lived with Gusto, and I know he lived his life to the fullest. So here I am, smiling, in tears, thinking about how his beautiful life, despite its oddities, has touched everyone in this high school and has made us see that.

I value the friendships that we've made. We've come so close over the years, Matt being loud and obnoxious right along with us. And I see a freindship strong enough to conquer mountains.

I thank you Matt for being such a strong flame. One that I know will never die out and live on through us. From all the books I've read, this quote is one that touches and inspires me the most: " When you were born, you cried while the world rejoiced; Live your life so that when you die, the world cries while you rejoice" 

If anything, Matt lived up to this. Rest in Peace, Matthew.
  

Every time I passed Matthew in the hall he would yell "Gosh Dang-It Joe!" and we'd just start laughing as we walked away.

Me and Matthew have a secret I swore to never tell anyone, and I never will even though it was a joke. 

Talking to Matthew for just one second would make me happy even if I was in a bad mood.

Me and Matthew would always yell and make fun of each other and will miss it.

After tournaments Matthew would give me rides and they are my best memories of him and I just miss him so much and wish I could see him again. 

Matt was a blessing to my 5th period class. Every day when I met him, we'd yell from about 100 feet away "heyyy feller!".

Matthew's love for America and his commitment to the military, and his willingness to always help me when I was in need will be greatly missed by Silverton High School.

In these times I like to think of the fact that young people die because they were the good ones. They are the ones that shape who and what the community is as a whole, and what the people are like.

I will miss Matt very much, but that's a small part. His contributions, his love for life and freedom always made me a happier person. But nothing can mask the tragedy of losing our dear Matthew.

Losing a man like Matthew wasn't supposed to happen. You are supposed to be making your dreams come true let's say yes for that one. Well lets get to the point.

Saturday I was just so lazy I didn't know what was wrong with me. I was just laying down staring at my ceiling. Then I was like let me thream through instagram. Hunter's post comes up - I comment "ur joking, right?". I just wanted to say "its NOT a game to play around with". I was just mad and I wanted to punch someone, but not my friends and not Matthew. I was really mad though you might not know how mad I was. I just wanted to pound a wall and just get over it.

I was like it's just not true. Its just a dream I was trying to wake up by pinching myself but I guess it didn't work. I didn't want to go back in Instagram. Let's just say I didn't want to go on any social media. People were just making up rumors. Then facebook came up and people were posting about Matthew. It was just too soon. I just couldn't understand it.

I just want to dedicate this wrestling season to you, Matthew. This one is for you, Big Guy. I appreciate it that you are my friend and you will always be. And I will always give you mom's sandwichs!

We as a wrestling community better remember it is more than one individual that makes a winner. 

He was the wrestler and I was the stat girl. We were perfect. Matthew was my everything. Literally my world. I fell for him. He brought me true happiness that no one else could. You could ask me a favorite memory or thing about him and I wouldn't know how to answer because I can't just pick one memory or thing because every moment spent with him was the best moments of my life. I would literally forget to breathe when I was with him and I couldn't concentrate when he was around. I thought about him 24/7 and I still do. Everything about him was amazing, it'd be wrong to just pick one thing. He was my true hero. I love him and his eyes. I'm missing those eyes. I'm so lost with out him. I lay awake at night just trying to figure out what to do next. We once talked about only dying together because it would be to hard to live with out the other and right now, I don't doubt it for a second. I want him back. He was the highlight of my life. He was literally the brightest star in my dark night sky. He was the sun shiny through on a cloudy day. He was the rainbow when it rained. He was my world. He was so amazing. He was respectful and knew how to treat a girl. We only got into a few arguments and he hated it every time we did. I did too. When every we did, I felt like my world was crashing down. He'd fix it though. Always. I would be so mad but he'd go and do or say something incredibly sweet and then I would wonder why I was mad in the first place. He would do anything to make me happy. He made me laugh and smile with all his cheesy pick up lines and jokes. He was so smart too. At times I swear we were completely opposites and other times I believed that we were meant to be. I keep getting told "he talked about you all the time", "he didn't know how to stop talking about you", "he loved you so much"; to be honest, I knew he talked about me but not that much. But it all makes it harder. I miss him so much and I wish he could just come back. It's just not the same with out him. It's sad, and quite. It feels like there's no energy in the air. Nothing to keep people spirits high besides all the amazing memories he left behind. Matthew was so outgoing. He didn't care what anyone thought about him. He lived for now and he lived a life that was much well spent. He was taken too soon though. But he made his life worth it, no doubt. He was so caring and sweet. He had such a big heart. He'd help anyone he could. He'd try so hard to cheer everyone up. He made an impact on every person he met. He changed every single one of their lives. He was and still is loved by all, always and forever. He will never be forgotten. God gained the most amazing angel he ever could. Rest in Paradise Matthew❤️ And even if God tells you to quite down.. Talk a little louder babe(; You just keep doing you, even up there. I love you. You're family is in my prayers. Hoping for the best for them❤️