To my amazing Katie, I am speaking on behalf of your Delta Zeta sisters who love and miss you more than you can imagine.

One thing I know for sure is that everything happens for a reason. What I don’t know for sure is what the reasons are at the time. I don’t understand why something so heartbreaking could happen to such an amazing person at such a young age. An age where she should be spending her Senior year at IU with her Delta Zeta sisters. Why do bad things happen to good people? We don’t know the answers but faith and love will always see us through anything.

Your life can change forever in a second. I cannot imagine how difficult it has been for Katie to put a pause on her life and fight this battle. You have to choose how you are going to deal with things. It’s a lot more difficult to stay positive and move forward than it is to just give up. Katie has shown us how to fight.

Despite her cancer, Katie never gives up. To be so sick but to be so strong at the same time is absolutely inspiring. She is still the same Katie who never fails to brighten our days (especially with her baby costume obsession) and inspires us to stay strong and live our lives to the fullest. She inspires us to never take things for granted because you never really know what you have until it’s gone. Smile often, be kind to others, and hug your loved ones a little tighter. It’s the little things that mean the most. Think of Katie and spread her positivity and strength to others. Choose to move forward instead of giving up. As Katie would say, “Life is too short so eat what ya want and drink what ya want.”

I miss you so much, Katie. I miss you running into my room every day to tell me some hilarious, elaborate story about your day. I miss going out with you and how you’re always the life of the party. I miss that tailgate when we were the first people raging at 7 am. (And  yes, we will still be carrying around a picture of your head and FaceTime you wherever we go because we will NOT let you miss out on Senior year.)  You ARE beautiful inside and out. Words cannot express how much we love you, Katie. We are so lucky to be a part of your life and you will always be our hero.

Love,

Emily Bennett