Best Friend Tribute
Emma Bradbury

Twenty years ago I stood alone in the playgroup hall next door. Over by the plastic kitchen stood another girl alone. I walked over and asked if I could play with her. For the next twenty years we stood side by side. Through every first and last. Every milestone and every tiny little thing. It seems almost impossible to put into a single word what she meant to each of us who love her, but for me there is only one… everything. The bond between us is more than just friendship. More than just love. She is, and always will be, my soulmate. 

At times, this overwhelming heartbreak seems unbearable. But every second of pain is worth it to have had the privilege of knowing and loving her. I am so lucky to have had her for so long and there will not be a day I do not think of her. I am so grateful to Martin and Nicky for bringing such an incredible light into the world and to Amy for being her big sister. I am so grateful to Dean for making her so happy and to our friends. Our little family. Matt, Hannah, Harry, Alex. The memories we share will keep her with us always.

For myself there are no questions. No what ifs. She knew what she wanted and that is exactly what was going to happen. If I had just one more minute with her, I would not need to say a word. She knew. She knew how we all felt about her.

Everywhere I look there is a piece of her. Just here in the village is the church hall where we met, nursery, primary, our pub just over the road. Even this very church. The story I started with is not just my first memory of Jess. It is my very first memory. I have not known a world without her, and it is not a world I ever wanted to know. But I had a lifetime with her and a lifetime of memories I will hold in my heart for the rest of my life.

For twenty years you stood by my side. My sun, my family, my soulmate. That will never change. I love you to the moon and back. My beautiful Jess, my best friend.