Two years ago today I lost someone. Or did I? We were 21. We thought we were invincible. We thought we knew everything. Death was the last thing on our minds. We had our whole lives ahead of us, didn’t we?

I write this on the 2nd anniversary of my friend Spencer’s untimely passing. He was born with a heart defect but never, not for one second, wanted to sit out on the sidelines of life because of it. He was brilliant, funny, and talented in so many ways – the kind of person who owned everyone’s attention in the room.

Now that another year has passed I’m reminded that everyone copes with loss in different ways. Yes, there will always be a void in my life since I can no longer interact with him. However, Spencer is very much alive to me. I no longer feel afraid about being myself. I realize how finite my time on this planet really is…and that I damn well better enjoy and take advantage of everything life has to offer. I’ll never be able to personally thank him for helping me get to that point and that’s why this day still brings me to the tears. But something tells me if he knew that he’d smack me upside the head with one of those boney hands of his and tell me to get ahold of myself and go out there and have fun.

So tonight’s celebration I’m hosting at my house, while somewhat macabre considering its timing, is INDEED a celebration of life. My life. Spencer’s life. YOUR life. Don’t be afraid to dance – no matter who you are, where you are…you never know when it will be your last time.