Nine years ago, the lives of the families and friends of Aimee Beddoe, Mike Patry, Alex Velev and Dave Ferrel were changed forever. A small avalanche in the Fortress Mountain backcountry took the four of them away, leaving us only with the memories we managed to build up in the time we’d been given to know them.

At least, that’s what it seemed like at the time—like all we had left was memories. But as time goes on, the brighter side of tragedy reminds us that we’ve got more than just a dwindling stack of photographs shoved into the corners our mind’s eye.
When those four died, everybody left behind became family. Our friends will always be alive in our hearts . But every once in a while, you need a reminder that silences the cynic inside you that might tell you otherwise.

Last weekend, I was able to abduct Dave Ferrel’s little brother Ben on a storm-chasing mission from Victoria to Whistler. I never had a chance to snowboard with Dave, but riding with his brother flooded me with memories that I forgot I even had. I can’t guess how the lives of our friends would have turned out if they hadn’t left us when they did. But I know that we would have shared a few days like the ones Ben and I had the opportunity to spend together.

If you’re reading this on Wednesday the 29th, know that there’s an enormous family celebrating the lives of Aimee, Mike, Alex and Dave. Losing people is never easy. But keeping a part of them alive isn’t as hard as you might think.

We miss you guys. Thanks for keeping an eye on us.