KC Perkins

Be Love. Be Light. This could've been Michelle's life motto. Be Love. Be Light. Four words, with an enormous widespread touch-a-million-lives impact. The only thing that is equal to the amount of Love and Light that Michelle spread, is the amount of sadness we are all feeling now (although in all honesty I think her LoveLight glow was probably greater).

She connected us. We are sewn together by the bright, happy-colored thread of Michelle, and that is the place where we continue to find strength. The fabric of friendship and family that she wove so beautifully and gracefully with not just her hands but with her entire being. She was devoted to connection and sharing and loving and laughter and coming together.

Michelle and I led parallel lives in our performing and teaching careers. For a long time we knew each other were out there in the world, we recognized that we were bonded as women in the activity, doing something we loved with friends and students that we adored. We knew of each other, but would finally meet one day in real person and for a lovely spark of generous time through Jeff and then our friendship was forever sealed and was lifted up to a shining level of sisterhood. From then on, we would see each other at shows, DCI, WGI, or when I came down to teach in Atlanta on the weekends. We never missed an opportunity for a real hug and an honest check in.

I remember when Jeff was receiving the Hall of Fame award, Michelle and I ran into each other at Starbucks in the hotel lobby--we couldn't believe we were staying in the same hotel! We sat down and enjoyed our coffee together until Jeff came down and they left to go have lunch with Jeff's family who were in town for the ceremony.

I was so grateful that we had a connection of our own, one between long-timers in the color guard community. Women who were also finding joy in journeys outside of the activity. We text connected often just to say, "Thinking of you," or "How are you, or "What's up with you, Sis."

Michelle and Jeff came to Nashville a couple of times this past year, once Michelle came on her own to visit the Blast crew, and so I was able to have a few lunch visits which I will always cherish as special times. What I really loved most, was sending her little surprise notes in the mail-which is my favorite thing to do.

I am missing her. I miss her dearly.

I hold my memories of her in a special rainbow colored pocket in my heart.

I love her.

Michelle was Magical.

Michelle was Love.

Michelle was Light.