Handwritten Letter (2016.037.1123)

Handwritten letter found inside an envelope with “To: My DREW & juanito LOVE: BRANDON,” written on the front. The letter says, “MY DREW & JUANITO – IT’S BEEN 3 MONTHS. 3 MONTHS SINCE YOU WERE TAKEN FROM ME. 3 MONTHS SINCE I STOOD ON THE DANCEFLOOR & SAID “I LOVE YOU.” AND NOT A DAY GOES BY THAT I DON’T MISS THE HELL OUT OF YOU BOTH. / DREW, I MISS THE WAY YOU EASED AWAY MY TROUBLES. YOU ALWAYS KNEW EXACTLY WHAT I NEEDED, BE IT A GLASS OF WINE OR A BIG HUG. I MISS YOUR ARM TOSSED AROUND MY SHOULDER. YOUR SENSE OF ADVENTURE. I MISS MY BEST FRIEND JUST A FEW STEPS AWAY. I WAS GOING THROUGH VACATION PHOTOS, AND I WAS REMINDED JUST HOW EFFORTLESS OUR FRIENDSHIP WAS. YOU’D SMIRK. I’D LAUGH. WE ALWAYS JUST KNEW. / JUAN, I MISS YOUR LAUGH. THAT LITTLE CRACK IN YOUR VOICE WHEN YOU’D TELL A SILLY JOKE. THE SERIOUS PASSION IN YOUR EYES WHEN TALKING ABOUT PEANUT BUTTER. YOU WERE THE PERFECT COMPLEMENT TO MY DREW… AND ONE OF THE BEST PEOPLE I EVER MET. YOU WERE WHO WE ALL NEEDED. / 3 MONTHS. 3 MONTHS OF SADNESS, ANGER & FEAR. BUT TUCKED AWAY IN ALL THAT… LOVE. I FEEL YOUR LOVE EVERYDAY. IN CHRISTINE, IN CELIA, IN JP, IN EVERYONE. I CAN’T BE DEFEATED, BECAUSE YOU’RE STILL WITH ME. I LOVE YOU BOYS. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE. / (heart) BRANDON.”

Christopher Andrew Leinonen, Couples, Juan Ramon Guerrero, Letters, Pulse Nightclub, Pulse Nightclub Memorial, Victims

• Object ID: 2016.037.1123
• Collection Site: Pulse Nightclub
• Collection Date: 09/16/2016
• Size: 11H X 8.375W