Adam Hauenstein.
I found out this morning via mutual friends on Facebook that one of my LiveJournal friends passed away a few days ago. He has been on my mind all day and I wanted to take the time to jot some memories down about him while I had the chance.
I never met Adam Hauenstein in real life. He lived in Ohio and we became aware of each other’s existences on LJ sometime in 2003 through a former roommate of mine, and our circle of mutual friends from across the country grew over the years since. He was a lover of cinema, the zoo, major league baseball and he could’ve given Kara DioGuardi a run for her money as the fourth judge on American Idol. (Given the job openings for season 10, I bet he could’ve tried out for judge now and gotten the job, but I digress.) He was a good guy; fun and funny, intelligent and well spoken and always giving of himself. When Susan and I were planning our wedding, he was the first to send us a gift. When I announced I was pregnant, he did the same. He was the kind of guy who you wouldn’t expect to go out of his way to remember your birthday, but then would send you a mix CD of songs that he put together in honor of you and your special day.
When I went through undoubtedly the darkest, lowest period of my life three years ago, he was one of a handful of friends who was brave enough to call me out on my shit and then offer me encouraging words to help me out of my despair and lend me his e-shoulder. I’ll never forget the words he wrote to me. I was incredibly lucky to have known him. We should all be so lucky to have a friend like him in our lives.
One of our mutual friends apologized in her journal for all the things that never came to be while he was still with us, and I’d like to do the same. So, Adam, if you’re out there, if you can hear me:
I’m sorry that I never got around to replying to the last email you sent me, regarding Au Revoir Simone. I just bought their album on Amazon mp3, in your honor.
I still have your thank you note from our baby shower (8 months ago) sitting on our vanity at home, signed and sealed, just waiting for a stamp . Though we never mailed it, I hope you knew how grateful we were for your gift - and your friendship.
And above all, I’m sorry it all had to end this way, and that I wasn’t there for you in your darkest hour like you were there for me in mine. I’m a better person for knowing you. I hope you knew that.
I never met Adam Hauenstein in real life. He lived in Ohio and we became aware of each other’s existences on LJ sometime in 2003 through a former roommate of mine, and our circle of mutual friends from across the country grew over the years since. He was a lover of cinema, the zoo, major league baseball and he could’ve given Kara DioGuardi a run for her money as the fourth judge on American Idol. (Given the job openings for season 10, I bet he could’ve tried out for judge now and gotten the job, but I digress.) He was a good guy; fun and funny, intelligent and well spoken and always giving of himself. When Susan and I were planning our wedding, he was the first to send us a gift. When I announced I was pregnant, he did the same. He was the kind of guy who you wouldn’t expect to go out of his way to remember your birthday, but then would send you a mix CD of songs that he put together in honor of you and your special day.
When I went through undoubtedly the darkest, lowest period of my life three years ago, he was one of a handful of friends who was brave enough to call me out on my shit and then offer me encouraging words to help me out of my despair and lend me his e-shoulder. I’ll never forget the words he wrote to me. I was incredibly lucky to have known him. We should all be so lucky to have a friend like him in our lives.
One of our mutual friends apologized in her journal for all the things that never came to be while he was still with us, and I’d like to do the same. So, Adam, if you’re out there, if you can hear me:
I’m sorry that I never got around to replying to the last email you sent me, regarding Au Revoir Simone. I just bought their album on Amazon mp3, in your honor.
I still have your thank you note from our baby shower (8 months ago) sitting on our vanity at home, signed and sealed, just waiting for a stamp . Though we never mailed it, I hope you knew how grateful we were for your gift - and your friendship.
And above all, I’m sorry it all had to end this way, and that I wasn’t there for you in your darkest hour like you were there for me in mine. I’m a better person for knowing you. I hope you knew that.