It was with such a heavy heart that I learned yesterday that you had passed.
Steph, I am deeply saddened, not only because we never got the chance to meet in person, but because after all these years, you became so much more than my boss.
I have been working with you since 2018, and we have been through so much together. You were always there whenever I needed clarity, whether it was about work or when I was simply trying to figure out life through my 20s and into my 30s. You became someone I could confide in, and you always seemed to have the advice I needed to hear.
I thank God that I was given the chance to know you and work with you. You were not only a mentor in my career, but also someone who became part of my personal life.
Yza and I had planned to finally meet you in Japan last year, but sadly, it was not meant to be. I wish more than anything that we had gotten that chance.
I’m sorry I couldn’t be there during your last days. I wish I could have been there to give you even a little of the comfort and support you had given me through the years. I know you had been fighting for so long, and I know it wasn’t easy. I can only find comfort now in knowing that you are finally at peace and no longer in pain.
I will miss our 5 AM talks. I’ll miss you hearing the chickens in the background and pointing them out. I’ll miss you saying hi to whoever happened to be around during our video calls, whether it was my family or my friends. Thank you for loving Yza, too. The cats will miss you. I’ll let them know you said hi.
Our last voice call was not the easiest, but I am so grateful that I was still able to hear your voice and talk to you, even when you were already not feeling well.
There are so many things I wish I could still tell you, but for the last time, I just want to say thank you.
Thank you for trusting me. Thank you for guiding me. Thank you for listening to me. Thank you for being there through so many years and so many versions of my life.
I am forever grateful that I got to know you and that you became part of my life.
I miss you so much, Steph.
Rest peacefully. 🤍