Anya’s Tribute
Maya was and forever will be the bestest friend I have ever known. She radiated the most beautiful energy with her infectious smile and witty sense of humor. I had the privilege of being her best friend for the last 7 years, and I truly haven’t met anyone like her since. She never hesitated to show how much she loved and cared for me, whether that was through a hug, her silly mannerisms and made up words, or the simple phrase “I love you forever An.” It felt relieving to have someone in my life who made me feel so understood and valued. Maya was the first friend I made in highschool, my rock and my support throughout everything - she never stopped believing in me. The moments I spent with her were filled with so much laughter and excitement and it’s something I will hold onto tightly for the rest of my life.
I think about the first time I met Maya quite often. We started off as rivals on the tennis courts but quickly became inseparable. I adopted her silly mannerisms by making up my own words until we created our own language. I slowly turned into the best version of myself with her.
I spent my summers in the comfort of her bedroom, rummaging through her clothes that were scattered all over her floor - she somehow still knew where everything was. Maya helped me overcome my fear of the ocean, she held my hand whenever we’d cross a bridge, and she always assured me everything would be okay no matter what we were going through. Above all, our wine and wii sports nights were my favorite - we’d yell at the tv, swing our remotes all over the place, then burst out laughing. If I listed every favorite memory I had with Maya, I would be writing this forever. Every moment with her was my favorite.
Maya’s laugh will forever echo in my head whenever I hear a “quirky” joke. I’ll continue to make up random words in her honor. I’ll explore all the places we were supposed to go to together, and I’ll think about her in every hardship I face and every accomplishment. I’ll never meet someone like Maya again, but that’s what made her so special. She was always unapologetically her authentic self. Words can’t describe how special she is to me, and I don’t think I’ll ever know how to truly live without her. Maya was my home, my person, my safe space - I felt like I could completely let my guard down and just melt into her arms when I hugged her. I feel so lost without her, and I walk around every place with a heavy heart.
Mya, b, nub, nugget, my munchkin - Every day I think about how I was the luckiest girl in the world to be close to you, to know you, and to love you. I will continue to love you with my whole heart, and I promise I’ll try my hardest to make you proud and continue doing this for us. Thank you Maya for the best 7 years of my life. I miss you more than anything.
I love you forever, b.
Anya Gupta
June 28, 2024
