Heather and I were going to be in Jamie's wedding in October 2005.  Heather, Nana, Alex and Michael came to visit me in Charlotte in the spring of 2005.  Heather walked in, sat down on my couch and said "Well, I'm pregnant".  Nana was sitting next to her.  Then I said, "Well, I think I am too!"  Nana just fell back on the couch!!  Heather lit up and was so excited that we could possibly be pregnant together!  Sure enough, I was:)  Evan and Ryan were due 2 days apart...December 27th & 29th.  Here is a photo of my sisters and mom at my baby shower in September 2005:)

Entering into such a close-knit family can be very intimidating.  I remember meeting Heather for the first time and all I could think was "Wow - She really has it all together!" She made things very comfortable for me and made sure that I was included in everything.   Justin and I were "young love" and I remember looking up to Heather as something that I wanted to become.  Her meals were amazing, her house was always clean, and she was constantly inviting people into her home or taking them warm dishes to warm their hearts. 

As I sit here with two little ones, I look back on days with Heather.  I'm still fasciniated with how she always had her hair done, a meal on the table, and her boys were always dressed and clean.  She was super woman.  Everything that I do with my girls I think about what she would have done.  I truely admire her and miss her always!

I was only 14 years old and was about to become an aunt for the first time!  Heather Rae was born in Salinas, California because her father (my brother) was serving in the Army at Fort Ord.  She was named after the street they lived on (Heather Circle)!!   I couldn't wait until we could fly out to finally meet her a few months after she was born.  Patti and Jim were waiting at the airport for us and  Heather was wrapped in the pink blanket made by my mother (Grandma Buehler).  She was the most beautiful baby I had ever seen!  She will always be special to us as she was the first grandchild in our family.  She brought such joy to all of our lives.  It wasn't long before Patti and Jim moved home and we got to enjoy Heather and all of the grandchildren that followed.  We have many wonderful memories of family gatherings and celebrating the holidays together.  And now when we gather, there is always a void without Heather.  However, we are truly blessed that she gave us a part of her in Alex, Michael, and Ryan.

My fondest memory of Heather was having her and Leanne for my flowergirls.  Then when Heather got married, she asked my daughters to be her flowergirls.  What an honor!  She made Lauren and Gina feel so special!

Thank you for the memories Heather.  We love and miss you every day! 

    

My Aunt Heather was an amazing person.She was so nice, kind and thoughtful.I remember her holding me when I was a baby.  I remember being in her living room watching Mickey Mouse when me and Ryan were 2 years old. I wish she was with us today.

I will never forget when me and Gina were invited to stay overnight at Heather's house (her first home near the park). We felt so special that she wanted us to stay with her. We just loved her home and playing with Alex. I can also remember watching some kind of Adam Sandler movie (haha).  

I will also cherish the memory of being in her wedding. It sure made me and Gina feel important.

Everyone misses you, but we know you are watching over us. 

Heather and I shared so many good times.  Sometimes I think I have forgotten what her laugh sounds like and then she will visit me in my dreams and I will hear it and it will stay in my heart until I need to hear it again.  I will never forget waiting at home when Michael was born.  I was waiting for her to call me so I could rush to the hospital to see them!  My phone rang and I answered and Heather was crying hysterically!  I was so upset I thought something had happened to the baby (which we were under the impression was a girl, by the way).  Her name was Olivia...and her room was all ready with butterflies and girl clothes hanging in the closet.  Heather was crying because it was Michael!  A boy! She was so shocked...but, as always she recovered with grace and grateful acceptance of having a beautiful baby boy! She was the most amazing mother.  Her boys were her life.  We shared a lot of laughs over thinking Michael was a girl! And we shared alot of the joys and disappointments of parenting together for many years.   I love Heather like we were sisters.  She meant the world to me and I would give anything I have to feel one of her hugs again.  She was the best and truest friend I have ever had in my life.  I could count on her for anything and I hope she knew I would always be there for her too.  There isn't a day that goes by when I don't look at her picture and smile and remember the trips we took and the fun we had together.  I will see you again my friend.  I love you! 

My Sister was an amazing women who I miss everyday.  She was my greatest friend and a second mother.  Her love was unconditional and sincere in every way.   She had so much compassion and love towards others.  She was the best mother I know.  She was the best cook.  Her laugh went straight to your heart and you couldn't help but laugh with her.  She hugged like Grandma Edie because she meant it.  She was extremely beautiful inside and out.  She smelled amazing all the time!

My greatest fear is that these memories will fade with every passing year.  Please share your funniest, most beautiful or fondest memory of Heather for her boys to read someday.