I met Charlie in the fall of 2019 playing on the most epic softball team of all time, also known as Pumps. Charlie gave everything he had on the field, to the point he had to come out one game from an injury. That is where I first got to know Charlie, on the Pumps bench.

Charlie, Megan, Ricky, and I clicked immediately. Dinners, hikes, road trips, vacations, late night talks about life. During the pandemic, Charlie insisted on making a traditional Thanksgiving for us. It was clear he came from a family that valued warmth and togetherness.

Over the years, I learned that Charlie brought that same exuberance from the field to everything he cared about: his career, finding the right vibe music for our road trips, and his love for Megan.

"What's your favorite place?"

"I don't have a favorite place.

I have my favorite people.

And, whenever I'm with my favorite people, it becomes my favorite place."