My Dear Friend Kimmy – An Inspiration

February 10, 2014 My Dear Friend Kimmy – An Inspiration

Yesterday I learned that my amazing friend Kimmy lost her life on Friday in a tragic car accident. My first attempt at this post focused on the sadness and the unfairness of her life being taken in such a sudden, tragic way. My heart is still heavy, my mind still foggy.

Last night I received a text from one of my best friends, Rachel, who said that although she never knew Kimmy, she could tell from her blog that she was an inspiring person and she truly lived life to the fullest, and that reading about her and her story really makes you want to go after your dreams. It was the first time I smiled all day when thinking about Kimmy, because she was so right, and she hadn’t even met her.

Kimmy and I met online while planning our weddings. We both got married on the island of Maui and became good friends throughout the process. Kimmy was known by friends as “Kimmy Cupcakes” and her bright, warm, friendly personality immediately pulled me in. She always dressed in bright colors, and was obsessed with the Tiki lifestyle.

When Steve and I were on Maui for our own wedding, we had lunch one day at Mama’s Fish House, based on Kimmy’s recommendation, as it was where she was going to get married just a few months later. From the minute we pulled into the parking lot, I could see exactly why Kimmy had picked this place to get married. It couldn’t have been more her.

In the last year, Kimmy and Drew decided that it was time for them to get out of debt, quit their jobs, and travel the world. Living the American Dream of too much debt, not enough time, and always being exhausted didn’t make them happy, and they didn’t want to wait until retirement to do what they always wanted. Kimmy started the blog Afterglobe and quickly became a popular travel blogger, making money off of her blog, documenting her travels (the one thing they weren’t willing to give up to reach their goals!) and getting even closer to their big move. They were so close…

Kimmy was always supportive of me and everyone she knows following their dreams and doing what’s right for them. She was one of my biggest supporters in quitting the job that made me unhappy for 3+ years and taking my business full time. She would text me photos from Hawaii every time she went, knowing that she’d get a playful “I hate you so much right now” text back. I met her in person last May when we were in California, and she was exactly as I had always imagined. It was like we were old friends. Well, really, we are.

Kimmy, you were such an incredible person and you deeply touched the lives of everyone you knew. I promise to live life to the fullest and not let the American Dream consume me. I know you would never let that happen if you had any say in it. I hope to be able to see as much of the world as I can and bring your memory with me.

I love you and I miss you so much already.

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