I’m a childhood friend of Daniel’s. Growing up we played at each other’s house so much so we thought sleep-overs should be allowed - never mind the fact that he was a boy and I was a girl. Needless to say at 13 or 14 that was not allowed.
But, what made our friendship so fun was that we also shared the same name. I’m Daniella, and in those years, even had the same last initial of “J.” You’ll see us in old yearbooks sitting not too far away from each other.
As a young dude Daniel had charm, so much so I broke up with his best bud to be his girlfriend and was horrified later in life to learn I’d done that to a "bromance." Despite, you’ll see the two guys together in a photo at my house with me there too at the bottom of the page. So, we three obviously got along for a good many years.
Daniel’s best bud at the time was Brandon, who seems to have forgiven us but, recently reminded me, that he hadn’t forgotten the heartbreak. He also reminded me that he and Daniel liked to roam the streets at night and steal street signs. Silly boys they were but they were the best a girl could ask for! We all used to go to the Naro movie theater and drink beer in the back of the theater, unbeknownst to our parents.
So, we made it through our tweens and teens together. We picked up the fabulous Mike Meeks along the way and then on to college we all went. Fabulously so, Daniel and I both went to colleges in Richmond. By this time, Daniel had become more like a brother to me than a boyfriend, and I remember he and I having fabulous times at parties his fraternity hosted. We sure lived it up. Not a dull day that is for sure.
While the years after college separated us, he still remained in my great-friends-of-all-time category. Distance and time never gets in the way of good friends. I always felt life was good because he was in it. He played a major role in my growing up years and is like family to me. I assumed he’d always be there, and I thought I’d run into him at some point in time…and then suddenly its many years later and here we are!
Sadly I learned of Daniel’s illness too late for me to find him in time to hold his hand in his last days, which I would have done in a heartbeat. I love him dearly and knowing he’s not with us is a serious heartbreak. But I feel good that I celebrated his life with him as he lived it - and he lived it well with fun and with a smile.
He was a good, kind and loving person whom I could always count on as did his other friends - and there are a ton of friends just like me who adored the heck out of this guy! They may not all appear here but they are here amongst us, and remembering Daniel as I talk here about him. We continue to celebrate his life and will talk of him always.
His parents raised a true gentleman, and I thank them for bringing him into this world. It's been a better place because Daniel was here.
