Becca Maughan

Keri Mae,

When you asked us to write a memory down of CJ, I started making a mental list of all the things I remembered about CJ. My list was endless. I started thinking about all the times we spent together and my memories were not of CJ, but of you and CJ and the special bond the two of you shared. I thought of weddings we attended and how the two of you stole the show on the dance floor. I remember the way you guys would look and smile at each other and dance towards one another. I thought of the Saturdays where I would meet you down at the Farmer’s Market and the two of you would lock up your bikes while we walked around and shared bratwursts. I remember lunches at your house where the two of you would come home from work and make me lunch. All visitors welcome in your home, and CJ always made me feel that way.
I remember fun activities like bowling, movies, Este pizza, pizookies and my favorite, Mario Cart. I loved watching the two of you on your competitive streak, sharing that little love seat so sweetly but determined and angry at whoever won! I remember everyday life with the two of you. Picking the two of you up from the airport after your fun East Coast trip, watching CJ try to assemble that bookshelf of yours, getting Route 44’s in the sonic drive-thru or getting our groove on to “Just Dance.” I loved how CJ would sit back on the couch cheering me on yelling, “Get it girl.”
I remember my birthday last summer and how the two of you locked yourselves out of your house and how you went to Home Depot and thought you could buy your own tools and unlock the door yourselves. I’m just laughing thinking about it because it took the two of you a little while to get over to the Richards because you ran in to some trouble along the way but I was so glad when you guys finally made it. I remember my birthday like it was yesterday. Swimming and playing basketball with the boys and our famous trip to Dover that night where you had to entertain Toni and Aaron the next day off of no sleep. I can still hear CJ’s laugh at the blackjack table after you lost the $50 so fast and then when we switched casinos and you were striking it big on the royal match. I remember the drive there and back with you guys in the back seat and JR driving. I remember us laughing while listening to rap music because we’re all ghetto… especially CJ. He was the best dancer although he thought we looked unattractive when we’d do our thiz/stank face. Haha. I remember him encouraging us not to do that face if we liked a boy.
I remember Naughty Capitol Hill last summer where we missed the whole movie but made it for the real show starring that couple next to us!! I remember all of us staring at them, especially you and I. Remember the moonlight flickering because of them?!
I have so many memories Keri of the two of you but when I think of CJ what I think about most was how he looked and laughed at you… especially when you were being stinker :) I remember him laughing at you when you wanted to take that swing home to California with you and you were upset because you didn’t want CJ to leave it behind but it wouldn’t fit in the moving truck. I can still hear him laughing. I loved watching him watch you because I could see it in his face how much he loved you and thought the world of you. However, for some reason this one memory keeps sticking out the most to me. It was a drive back to Utah from being home in California. I can’t remember the circumstances, whether you were engaged or just dating at the time or why we were even home in California but CJ was driving the Foci back to Utah and Richelle and I were in the backseat. You started to lose it because we had been driving for so long and you started to go crazy in the front seat. I remember watching you and my favorite part was that the two of you started to go crazy together. You were both feeding off each other and making the other one laugh and go even crazier. I remember watching the two of you and thinking how lucky you both were to have found each other and how I couldn’t wait to find my other half someday. I can still see that moment so vividly. The windows were rolled down and we were in some barren part of Utah and I remember how I just loved watching the two of you together. I knew in that moment how much CJ adored and cared for you and I couldn’t wait to meet someone who felt the same way about me one day.
I’m sorry for writing a novel but I couldn’t narrow it down to just one memory. I have so many. I love you Keri and I love CJ. I miss him and I especially miss him for you. He was such a special person and I’m so glad I had the privilege of knowing him and watching your marriage flourish. We all have been inspired to be a better person because of CJ and I cherish the memories I have of him and the two of you together. Memories can never be taken away from us and I’m grateful for that. Love you so much Keri Mae.


Love Becca