I hadn’t planned on writing this post today, but I can’t think of much else: my neighbor during my freshman year of college had been missing since Tuesday, and I believe they found her body today.
You never expect something like this to happen to someone – let alone happen to someone that you know! Annie wasn’t a very close friend, but we were neighbors and I met her, Jon, and other friends for lunch many times while in college.
Annie Le was a grad student at Yale, and supposed to get married over the weekend. While Ryan and I were at a co-workers (gorgeous) wedding, I couldn’t help but think of her, and how sad the situation was. And then today I found out that they discovered her body in the wall behind some pipes.
I know this is said about most people who go missing, or are murdered, but Annie was truly a happy person. She had a HUGE smile, and was one of the most bubbly, and smart, people I’ve ever known. She and Jon were great together and it makes me incredibly sad that her life was cut so short.
Although this is a particularly sad day, I can’t help but look at her life as a reminder to really live your dreams. You never know when your time is up – you could live to 115 and live a long, healthy life; or you could be murdered before your wedding. I know it is cliche – but make sure you live each day of your life without regrets.
When we started this blog, Ryan and I had planned out exactly how much we would need to save each month to retire at different years. If we saved an extra $100 per month here it would cut back retirement by 1 year, etc. We had white boards and spreadsheets with calculations and goals. Then somewhere along the line we abandoned the deferred life plan, and began trying to enjoy every year rather than saving it all for retirement.
I
t has been difficult to follow this new plan sometimes. It has put some of our debt repayment on hold, and it is still all to easy to get caught up in the daily grind and forget to take steps back once in a while to relax and breathe.
At Ry’s co-workers wedding we talked with his boss about hiking the Appalachian trail. He and his wife do a few miles at a time in 1-2 day trips, and have hiked hundreds of trails across the country. Ry and I love hiking and being outside, but have not taken nearly as much time as we would like to pursue it. This weekend has given me new motivation to plan on getting some of our “life goals” accomplished. You can’t wait because you never know what will happen tomorrow.
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What a tragedy. I'm so sorry for this girl and her fiance. I think your idea of living life to the fullest while it's there is very important.
I just found out that they positively identified her body. I am still reeling from the news. It's so sad. How could anyone do this to someone else?
Oh how awful!! Things like this make you think about your own life, for sure. I feel so bad for her and her family/friends. I'm so sorry this happened to one of your friends.
I've read the news, it's really heartbreaking that such a tragic thing has happened to her. She's so young. I know it's doubly hard because you know her personally. I don't know her but I feel sad, what more in your case.
But you're right, this reminds all of us that we should all live our lives fully each day. To not take any moment for granted, for each breath we take could be our last. We never really know, and no matter how much we prepare ourselves for it, in the end, it will come at the most unexpected moment.
Yeah, that's very sad.
I always thought about myself and my loved ones after I read stories like this. It makes me ponder and appreciate more the value of life and everything else close to me…Sorry for your friend…