Replying to Teddy Knape's PacNW friends

Dear Teddy's west coast buddies,
Theo and I have been friends for a really long time. This past week has been one of the hardest emotional times in my life as it has been for all of you too. I'm sure it had to be very hard for all of you who couldn't make it to Michigan for the funeral. I just wanted you all to know that it was a really beautiful service and a ridiculously gorgeous day. For those of you that don't know anything about Michigan weather it is rarely sunny here in March and it was perfect outside. At the end of the service one of our friends lit off a canon that Mr. Knape had made a while ago. The explosion created a halo of smoke that drifted up into the sky. For all of you who know Zach and Danny they did an awesome job representing Teddy's west coast friends. They told us all about the celebration at Baker. That means more than you all know to teddy's family and friends. I'll never forget talking to Theo on the phone nightly when we both left for college because we were homesick for our friends. However for Theo that didn't last very long. He raved about Washington and the friends he was making from school. Last year I had the chance to spend some time with Teddy in Washington. He was so excited to introduce me to all of his friends and share Bellingham with me. I'm so happy that I had the chance to meet some of you. You were all very important to Teddy and I wanted to thank all of you for being Teddy's family away from home. The entire Knape family is truly unique. They are the closest most sincere family I have ever met and it extends to all of their relatives. I hope someday you all have the privilege to meet the rest of the family. Immediately you will understand how Teddy turned out to be so special. Thanks again for taking care of my friend Teddy :)

“The adventure of life is to learn. The goal of life is to grow. The nature of life is to change. The challenge of life is to overcome. The essence of life is to care. The secret of life is to dare. The beauty of life is to give. The joy of life is to love”