TayloRe

    Taylore was more than just my best friend. She was vibrant, full of life, and a star. Anyone lucky enough to meet her is forever changed. You see, my friend was nothing short of amazing. The joy she brought to others was like no other. You couldn’t help but belly laugh and embrace your inner child when around her. She brought the best out of everyone. It didn’t matter who you were, you knew who she was. She never masked her personality, it would shine brightly through any given situation. She was exceptionally good at making awkward situations normal and everyone would kind of just go with it. Taylore was so good at bringing people together whether it be through music, entertainment, or anything else in between.

I met Taylore in 2001 — She was weird, hyper, and, the class clown. She loved Michael Jackson, Spongebob, and hated wearing our Catholic school jumper. These are just my first few memories of her. They say the first impressions determine your thoughts of a person. I know this to be true.

Our parents took the train together every day and encouraged us to become better friends not knowing that eventually we’d be the best of friends.

In 4th grade I was assigned to Taylore’s lunch table — this was something I DREADED. Taylore would mash up her hotdogs every Tuesday and constantly play with any food on her plate. Taylore also broke out into song every 3-4 minutes. At the time, Sexyback had just come out. I can hear her saying “Now kick it to the chorus, dirty babeeee”. As much as I dreaded this — soon after I was excited for lunch every day. She was quirky and fun.

In 6th grade, Taylore met Charlene. I had never seen such a dynamic duo — it was remarkable and iconic. Following this, we formed the glee club; there were four of us but we made it three. We mastered “the sweater song”, yes from Spongebob. For years, every time that episode would come on, we’d call each other on our house phones just to sing that one part. 

Early on, I knew of Taylore’s love for Michael Jackson; I had the privilege of watching Tay and Char practice for the lip-sync every day between classes. They practiced all year, They would follow Anisha, screaming “Annie are you ok?!” God, they were so fucking funny.

It wasn’t until high school that my friendship with Taylore really took off. Every morning, Mama Jones would pick me up on the way to school. Taylore would greet me by saying “good morning honey bee” my line was “you been a bad girl, Gaga”. This was typical for us. Missing the bus was also typical. We would often reroute to Forrest hills, take the train, and then a cab from Newton corner. We’d scrap up $2.50 and take a cab half a mile to school — lazy, but that’s how we rolled. In style, in a smelly cab, feeling like a million bucks.

Taylore got me to join the varsity soccer team. Taylore made everything fun and light-hearted. I never told her, but I admired her so much. She was just Taylore, her own person, and didn’t give a f*ck what anyone said or thought. She was my most eccentric and lively friend. I’ve had many friends in life, but Taylore was always the realest. She was tough as nails but gentle in the same way. One afternoon, we were horsing around before practice; literally, she was on my back. I ran through the parking lot and fell. Knees and elbows bloody, she was like “c’mon we're gonna be late.” I was so mad but through our two laps around the field, the pain subsided from the laughter she brought to me. She knew I was struggling but she also knew how to distract me from the pain. 

Along with our morning carpools, we’d carpool from practice. One evening my mom picked us up and brought us to Lenny’s for beef patties. This was Taylore’s first time having a beef patty with coco bread and cheese. This became a regular occurrence. 

For a long time, Taylore was my only friend. She was unique, kind, and passionate — that will forever live on. I hope that she knows how loved she was. I always wished to be more like Taylore. She was free. Taylore lived every day like it were her last. She spoke about living in the moment, she knew life was short and nothing was worth stressing about. One of the last times I saw her, we spoke in the mystery machine for hours, we talked, laughed, and cried about the past, present, and what we hoped our future may hold. My friend, you are gone too soon. I hope that you are at peace, I hope you and MJ are singing, dancing, and tipping your hats.

College summers were the best. You could always find Taylore on her Vespa, snap chatting every moment while weaving in and out of traffic. She was terrifying. I babysat down the street from her house, we’d bring the kids to her basement and treehouse so we could hang out. Because why not? The kids loved her, I mean who didn’t love Taylore?!

For a short time, Taylore and I worked side by side at Redd’s in Rozzie. This was particularly hard being best friends and having to be serious. We would often butt heads but at the end of our shift, we’d enjoy beer and fries together like the old pals we were. 

One of my favorite memories of Taylore has to be when she visited me in NJ. I don’t think I told her just how grateful I was for her taking a bus for 5 hours to see me for an impromptu weekend trip. We barhopped, ate like it was our last meal, and stayed up all night bullshitting. It was a weekend I needed then and long for now.

Taylore and I spoke often, in my opinion, not enough but she was always there and I knew it. She would be there at the drop of a dime for anyone. Right or wrong she’d be by your side, talking shit to anyone who had something to say. Taylore defied the rules, questioned injustice, and spoke her mind. She wasn’t meek or politically correct. She was raised in a loving home, with exceptional parents. Though she didn’t always see eye to eye with her family, she knew her place in society and life. Taylore was one of the most beautiful souls to ever walk the earth. I wholeheartedly believe her life has made an impact on the world. She’s inspired many, influenced more, and set a precedent for most. If we could all be 1/16 of Taylore, the world would be a better place.

The last few years have been a blur but I vividly remember seeing her mystery machine parked on Turtle Pond Parkway — she loved swimming there. I remember her purple skateboard that she never went anywhere without, minus the time she left it in my car for almost two weeks. She was something, huh?

I can go about Taylore and the joy she brought to others. I have fond memories of her running through the halls, breaking into song, jumping on anyone, but mostly I remember her witty sarcasm. The world is forever changed by the loss of Taylore. My silly friend is no longer here but I feel her through every song I play and that will have to be enough. I will never have another friend like Taylore. I’m mad and bitter about this. She had so much more to conquer in life. Taylore was always the friend you could depend on, no matter the situation — she was a rider and I’m thankful for the 20 years I had knowing her. Taylore hated when I recorded her because she was so authentic, she never duplicated a moment and every moment felt like a breakthrough. I have so many documented and undocumented memories of her that I will forever cherish. 

My eyes are teary and my heart is destroyed. Her death is tragic. I’m angry that someone could knowingly and willingly take the life of a beautiful soul. She was a daughter, sister, and a forever friend. She never took anything in life for granted. Taylore was a rockstar, and I don’t say that lightly. She had the voice of an angel. You think jagger has moves? Taylore would beg to differ. Taylore was special and that is an understatement. 

My friend, I will miss you so much. I will never forget our random trips to the farm or the time you backed up on the highway because we took the wrong exit. You made life exciting and no one can ever top that. I hope you’re singing and dancing your heart out. I love you, Taylahhhh.

Until we meet again.

-Honey Bee