The Loss of a New Friend.

I am absolutely devastated.

Not even a month ago, I met fellow blogger and designer, Marija Stephens of Holding Court, at a store opening in Chicago. She was such a delight, and I will forever remember her sweet personality. But the word "sweet" doesn't begin to do Marija justice. She had a sincerity about her that far too many people lack. An enthusiastic joy for living. Marija and her husband were so happy, and they made everyone around them happy. I learned so much about her in one evening, and since then, she and I had been emailing, making plans to meet up again soon. I felt lucky this talented, inspiring, brilliant woman wanted to be my friend.

I referred to her as "an insta-friend" as she was a kindred spirit who only comes around every so often in life. She was radiant. Everyone around her loved her. And now she is gone. In a blog post today, her wonderful husband Cory informed her readers and fans that Marija was killed in a car accident over the weekend.

It's a weird world we are apart of - this blogland. We meet people online, become great friends with a few, and are lucky enough to meet some in person. We share common interests, life experiences, intimate details of our daily happenings. We introduce one another to our homes, our friends, our personalities. We help one another. Laugh with one another. Inspire one another. I cannot tell you how many times I've uttered the phrases, "Oh, I saw this on a blog...," "a blogger I know," "have you seen the post ___ did?" You've all become such an important part of my life, in a way no one can understand unless they are a part of this odd, online community.

I only met Marija once, but I feel like I've lost a best friend. She was one of us.

Words cannot describe how heartbroken I am.

My thoughts go out to Cory, who lost his best friend and life partner.
To their beautiful children, who lost their talented, loving mother.
To her family and friends, who lost a funny, compassionate friend.
To her fans who will no longer read the perfectly strewn together words that Marija gifted to us every week.

And for everyone who was ever lucky enough to have known the lovely Marija. Even for a brief time.

Marija, you will be sincerely missed.