Dear Philip,

It is so hard to try and summarize 30 years of memories with your mother in a letter. Your mom was not only my sister but she was also a wonderful friend. We grew up doing everything together. I always wanted to be like my big sis Kasie but no one was like Kasie. She was definitely one of a kind.

As children, we grew up sharing a room. We had twin beds with these blue quilts that Granny Ford made. One of our favorite activities was to rearrange our bedroom as frequently as we could. It is hard to believe how many ways we could rearrange our twin beds and dressers.

Growing up, Poppy gave your mom the nickname “Shorty.” When I was just a toddler, I couldn’t say “Shorty” so I shortened her name to “Oie Oie.” When she was at school, I used to sit at the backdoor and want my “Oie Oie” to come home. I guess now she is at home with God but I think about my “Oie Oie” often.

One of my favorite memories of Kasie as kids is how much fun we had with a pogo stick and hula hoop. Kasie was the pogo stick queen and I loved the hula hoop. Your mom used to pogo longer than any other kid in the neighborhood. She literally wore out the stopper at the bottom of our pogo stick but that didn’t stop her, she just kept bouncing up and down, putting thousands of little circular impressions all over our driveway. We always had so much fun doing whatever.

We should have known that your mom would grow up throwing AWESOME parties because she started at a very young age. I can remember her in middle school throwing themed birthday parties, Valentine dances and Halloween costume parties at the Coulwood clubhouse. As she got into high school she added Superbowl parties, after prom parties and impromptu parties when Gram and Poppy went out of town. As she entered college, I always knew there would be incredible parties at ASU when I would visit her. Your mom’s parties only got bigger and better as she graduated from ASU and moved back to Charlotte. Kasie threw more wedding and baby showers than anyone I have ever met. However, out of the many, many parties that your mom hosted, I think her most amazing party was your first birthday. She planned this party for months and everything was over the top and perfect. She always wanted the best for you. Everyone at the party was in awe of everything she planned from the jumping air castle, catered BBQ, choo-choo train rides around the neighborhood, choo choo hats and bandana party favors and then to top it off, the ice cream truck came for dessert. It was an amazing party.

In addition to party planning, your mother loved to shop and she was very proud of the bargains she found. Anytime somebody told Kasie they liked something she had on, she would always let them know the great bargain she got on the item, “$10.99 at Kohl’s.” This became a big joke in the Ford house. She would always say it with such enthusiasm and with that beautiful smile on her face that we all miss so much. Your mom had an amazing wardrobe as well. Now your Aunt Amy is a different story, so anytime I had to get dressed up for a special occasion, your mom was always very generous and let me go shopping in her closet. She would find me a cool dress or outfit, match up an awesome pair of shoes and then top it off with the perfect accessories. I could always count on your mom to make me look good.

Your mom did many amazing things during her brief 32 years but I think giving birth to you was what made her the happiest. I remember after we gave birth to you and Trevor, we were both so sad to go back to work. I remember your mom telling me how she would call home during the day and sing songs to you over the telephone. I remember he saying she would sing “ Mommy loves you, a bushel and a peck, a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck” and you would just smile from ear to ear. She was so proud of you and always know that she loved you more than you can imagine. I am sure she is proud of who you becoming today as well.

Your mom was one of the most incredible individuals anyone ever met. She never met a stranger in her life. She could carry on a conversation with anyone and make anyone feel comfortable and welcome in any type of situation. She was always positive and upbeat and brought such a wonderful energy and spirit to any room she entered. Kasie was always the life of any party. She had a positive impact on anyone she came into contact with and even though she was only alive for two brief years of your life, I know you life will forever be positively impacted because of her. I miss my sister so much but I know we are all better individuals because of her. I will forever love Kasie and treasure the memories we created. Be prepared to hear stories of your mom often because even though she is physically gone, I know she is here in spirit and she will NEVER be forgotten.

Love,

Aunt Amy