What a strange feeling it is to write about my relationship and memories of Nikki because she’s crossed over. I don’t think we’re ever really ready to acknowledge the finality of relationships even when they’re distant.
As my college roommate for 3 of the 4 years at Wheaton, she is part of nearly every memory I have from those years. Hilariously paired by the admissions lottery, she & I found almost instant connection, like yin/yang. Nik, a New Hampshire prep school athlete and me, a southern public school military brat, or as she teased me, a “suburban princess”.
It the height of the 80’s New Wave music scene, what immediately comes back to me, is her love of 60’s & 70’s classic music. Like an old soul hippie, she introduced me to James Taylor & Carly Simon, CSN, Mamas & the Papas, America and we had those tape cassettes in endless rotation. I remember singing the favorites, acapella, at the top of our lungs in the neck-high shower stalls of Meadows North. To this day, that music brings me right back to Wheaton.
Stepping straight from the Preppy Handbook, Nikki also indoctrinated me into the primary fashion source of her New England: L.L.Bean. Using the limited funds I was sent by my parents for “necessities”, I saved to buy Bean raglan sweaters, boat shoes, duck boots & Ray Bans. She succeeded in remaking me in her image… HA!
Over the past several weeks since her passing, lots of other memories that make me nostalgic: stinky penny loafers that she kindly left outside of our dorm room; working alone in the basement of the library in the microfiche room; learning to drive stick shift in my little Sentra “Moose” and 3 tries at the DMV to get her license; her falling ALL the time, including through the French doors of a fraternity formal, always bouncing back to her feet, unfazed; the security guard (!) she brought back to the house senior year, and so, so many road trips!
Nicole “Lenore” (my given middle name for her, one I felt honored her French-Canadian ancestry) was a brilliant, witty, goofy & generous soul who lived life, even 35 years ago when I knew her best, the way she wanted. It saddened me to hear of her sudden passing, but despite her agnostic proclamations in college, I know she has been welcomed Home by Paulette & Memere. I am certain that if given a choice, she'll come right back to this earthly-plane to make an impact on the lives of her family and friends, on her community and on the planet.. all over again.
My deepest sympathies to Christian, Ted, Sydney, Chance & Nikki’s entire & vast circle. While I can’t be with you to celebrate her life, I am toasting her spirit from Colorado.
With much love,
Erika
“Good times and crazy friends make the best memories.”
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