April 10 th, 2005 was a beautiful Spring Sunday. It was a month before our youngest daughter, Julie’s, 22 nd birthday – which was going to be on Mother’s Day – along with her college graduation – which were all going to happen on the same day. Julie had just accepted a job after college in a field that she loved - and her future was bright.

That morning I was hanging curtains getting ready for the big graduation/ birthday weekend, when the police came to our door. They said that there had been a fire at an off- campus house at Miami University and they couldn’t find our daughter Julie – and that they had just taken 3 victims out of the house. At first, we didn’t understand what that meant. I thought – those poor kids – but why are they telling us? – and then the reality of what they were saying hit us.

They had to use dental records to identify the body - so we had the tiniest bit of hope – until the next day when they confirmed what was our worst nightmare – that Julie was one of the victims. Sunday, April 10 th, 2005 turned out to be the worst day of our lives.

I used to always tell Julie she led a charmed life – and she would always agree with a big smile on her face. She was one of those people who could brighten a room just by entering it. Julie is…/…was… a beautiful, fun-loving person with a big smile who lived life to the fullest - we were so proud of her - and she brought us so much joy and happiness. It’s hard for me to talk about her in the past tense because she’s still such a big part of our lives. We used to tease Julie - and say it’s not all about you – but for us, it is - still - all about Julie.