Two days ago we sat in a beachside café, one of Katie’s favourites. Our glasses were filled with good red wine, another of Katie’s favourites. A single candle burned on the table as we gazed out over the ocean, waiting, thinking of her.

I first noticed Katie when I was 12 years old, a beautiful red-haired girl who caught my eye. I never said hello, just hoped that one day I would see her again.

As luck would have it, we became friends as teenagers, and that friendship grew through our twenties as we married our respective partners and, with our close friends, became a group of six. A bond of friendship that has endured and sustained us for more years than I care to count. Looking back, so much of it began with her.

We have partied together, travelled together, played music together and explored the ocean together. We have gathered around each other’s dinner tables. We have been there for the birth of our children and watched them grow into adults, setting out on lives of their own. For decades, we have been part of each other’s lives.

Two days ago, four of us sat in vigil by the ocean while Katie, with her husband and family beside her, said goodbye. Late in the afternoon, when we knew it was time, all four of us blew out that candle together.

I think of all the years her body slowly took away the things she loved to do, and of how much she continued to mean to all of us. The friendship, the fun, the adventures, the simple joy of being together. There is so much of you, Katie, in the life we have shared.

This image is for you, my beautiful friend. One last glimpse of the extraordinary, swimming off into the distance.

Thank you for your friendship, and for the richness knowing you has brought to my life.

Farewell, my beautiful friend. Godspeed, dear Katie.