Stevie stayed in this night and had a quiet birthday celebration...unlike every other year.
Stevie was very happy to spend time with his godson!
It was very special to have that quiet time together and to see this new and magnified love which he held in his heart for the first time in his life...for Thor! He knew now the way we loved him!

I was watching Stevie walk to the car and decided to take a picture of him as he looked so handsome again. What happened next was priceless. Nanny opened her door and asked Stevie how he could possibly leave without giving her a hug and kiss. Stevie smiled and said, "Nan, you know I love you but I'm running late. I need to go." Her response was "OK, then I'll just cry until you come home but it's alright." Stevie rolled his eyes but had the biggest and sweetest smile as he stopped what he was doing and came back to kiss his grandmother!
This is the precious beauty of Stevie's heart that many of us know firsthand. Stevie was pure love and goodness and truly valued all of our love equally. He showed that the night before the accident when he went back into the bar where his friends were to say goodbye and give them a hug before he left...

We all know that Stevie's memorial T-shirts say, "Champions Never Die...they advance to the next level!"
When Nanny wasn't feeling well, Stevie would go in her room and play hangman. He always made time for his favorite girl!
Recently while looking at pictures of Stevie and Nanny, we found a pad of paper with some of their games together, beside her bed.
Stevie's word was: CHAMPION
Go figure!

This pic was taken on the trip home from N. Carolina when Stevie and Brian met you.
I love this pic (Stevie's face and eyes!) so much. It's always been a favorite of mine.
XOXOXO-

It was about this time, quite a few years ago, that Steve escorted me to my winter formal. I have so many great memories of my friend, my first love. Steve's smile was infectious. My friends loved him when they met him. Hey, they loved him before they met him because they knew he saved me. All my girl friends thought he was so HOT but all I could see in Steve was how he smiled with his eyes. He was special. He was a wonderful influence on my life and I know on the lives of many others. I only wish that we had never allowed our lives in separate towns keep our "friendship" under wraps. My mother was cleaning out my room at my parents house. She found all of Steve's letters to me. They all still smelled like the Polo Sport he sprayed. His words and poems were uplifting even all these years later. I found phone cards he bought me to call him and pictures LOTs of pictures and lots of memories. I miss him. He was the purest person I have ever met and we had far too few visits with eachother. Kelly, your son gave me my life back and I will never forget it. I would really like to come visit and see his grave. It would mean a lot. Dana

For some unknown reason, I had a flashback to the time you were dating Tracy. As sweet as I thought she and her mother were, I didn't care much for her Dad...and the feeling was mutual!
However, shortly after he and I had words one night, I came to pick you up from a gathering at her house and as we were talking to her mom about your knee surgery, her father and cousin Willy joined us. I had just taken a sip from my drink when you introduced her cousin to me (with the most devilish grin on your face!). I laughed so hard I choked as you turned your head while trying to compose yourself. Neither of us could catch our breath from laughing to even begin to explain to those around us why we found this so terribly amusing!
Tracy started laughing with us although she had no idea why. Even after you explained why we found the Naylor boys names' so funny (Kenny and Willy) she didn't find it as amusing as we did. Her father got it and was trying very hard not to laugh. Greg laughed though!
"Can he?" "Ah, but will he?"
I love our memories! I love the thought of your laugh! We always had so much fun!
*This reminds me of the tape of you driving backwards (while properly staying in your lane and using your blinkers!) through their development one night with the boys!
"Good times"!

You, your love and your energy were so magnetic!
I love you Stevie!!!

Steve's secret dream, one of Steve's secret dreams... was to one day open a cozy Jazz bar!

"Deeper than the deepest ocean-"
-1 Steve

So many memories of Stevie at Loch Raven. At the moment I am remembering a time where Stevie and I used to go there on the weekends or after school when he was younger.

Stevie loved brushing his teeth for at least ten minutes which is actually quite long by comparison to most!
Brian once made a sandwich and ate it during the time it took Steve to brush his teeth.
xxxooo

I found myself remembering the times you went 'ghost hunting' with Yanks and Brian. Collectively, the three of you had more nerve than anyone else I know. I am glad I didn't know about it at the time because I would have felt compelled to follow to make sure you were safe...and I'd rather chew nails!
Crybaby Bridge (the sounds and the outline)and the Dr's house (the sound of someone running down the steps toward the door and hearing the three of you breathing very hard as you ran to the car) in Jacksonville were the tapes that made my hair stand up. You always needed to see it or experience it for yourself before you believed it to be true...AND you were always looking for your next adventure.
'No Fear'!