I still think about Tolu all the time and I have dreams about her on a weekly basis! My brain wants her to be alive and still believes that she is out there somewhere, and I always have dreams that she just took a little break and traveled, and that she’s still alive, and finally got healthy, like she more than deserved, which I know isn’t true. If only it was! I miss her deeply and she encouraged me to leave an unsafe and toxic friendship, with someone else. She always brought me food while we were at Mills, when I needed it, and often even when I didn’t, during a dark time, for both of us. She truly was the kindest, most gentle soul, and my condolences to her beautiful family.
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It’s been a year, I miss Tolu every day. She was the person who inspired me to get back into writing fanfiction, and I loved talking with her about the story she was writing. One of my biggest regrets is never having met her in person. She was such a light in my life ❤️
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tolu and i were very close on social media — one of my favorite memories with her is hearing about the story she was writing, and discussing the amazing characters she thoughtfully developed. she really inspired me as a writer myself, to even begin writing a book. i plan to dedicate my book to her someday.
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Whenever Tolu would come into the Library, where I worked at Bear Creek, she would light up the room with her beautiful smile and kind words. She always was filled with the joy of the Lord. A lovely young woman with the voice of an angel.
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Thinking of you today, dear Tolu. Praying for the Lord to bring your smile and voice to our minds, when we need a special taste of heaven and the joy that is to come. I will always be honored that my beloved dad, shares your birthday of October 5. It makes that day even more special to me every year. He loved Jesus and I pray that he is listening to your beautiful voice and seeing your smile as you both sit at the feet of Jesus in His light and glory.
In response to "What always reminds you of Tolu?"
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In response to "What did Tolu love to do?"
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My dear Angel, I carry you in my heart today as I remember your beautiful smile that captured my heart the first time I held you in my arms almost 25 years ago. Today, I choose to celebrate your essence and the impact you had on our lives. We rest on God's unbroken faithful.
Bliss on, Sweet Angel, as you waltz on the streets of gold on your 25th Birthday. We love you, but God loves you more.
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Today, Tolu would have been her 25th birthday, and I find comfort in remembering our moments together. We would have late night discussions about literature, community and spiritual belonging, culture and aesthetics. She was so enthusiastic and genuine. I hope for her loved ones to find solace, and hope in her memories.
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Dearest most beloved Tolu,
I will always always remember you for your excitement and anticipation to learn, your most creative mind, your sweetest smile and your empathy! The sleepless nights (and our time zone differences) discussing aesthetics of writing and world building in such detail, I found comfort and home in your world. Thank you for finding a friend in me, and giving me the honour of witnessing your art, your heart! You've been the bravest, and kindest angel to have entered my life! May you rest well and know that you were so loved.
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I’ve been wanting to write something for Tolu on this message board for months, but haven’t been able to find the words. I never knew Tolu in real life, we met on Tumblr and bonded over musicals and her wonderful vampire story based off of the musical Rebecca entitled “I Almost Shiver”. She even gave me the honor of my own character in “I Almost Shiver”, which unfortunately she died before she could finish. She was the absolute sweetest person and took me under her wing almost immediately. Any time I was struggling with school, work, or friends she was always there. I grew to love her just as fiercely as I love all my friends in real life and she became like an older sister to me. I miss her every day, but I’m so glad she is memorialized by her incredible writing online.
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i never knew Tolu in real life but i met her online through tumblr and she was the sweetest person id ever met. i felt a very close connection to her and we were very similar as people, and she will be dearly missed.
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Tolu dearest, you carried out your earthly assignments with grace and perfection. Though you passed through for a short time, you made every precious moment count, leaving lasting impressions in the lives of everyone who had the privilege of crossing paths with you. Keep smiling and singing with that angelic voice among the Angels where you belong. You are forever in our hearts darling.
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Tolu was one of the first people I met when I moved into the dorms at ucsc and a valued friend since then. I can't express the pain in my heart upon hearing about her passing. She was truly an mirror image of Jesus' love and faith. My prayers go out to her family. You're daughter was truly loved and will be missed by her friends here in Santa Cruz.
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To the Sobande family, God is always with you even in the midst of tragedy. I never knew your precious baby but God knew her every being and loved her. May her soul rest always in the bosom of her Lord and savior
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A HUMAN LOST, AN ANGEL GAINED
Tolu, my dear cousin, although separated by time and distance my love for you never ceased. You were taken away too soon and I am deeply saddened but I choose to remember you for who you are and for the light you shed on anyone who was fortunate enough to get to know you.
Toluwalope you were a force, you were a fighter even till your last breath and last but certainly not the least you were a lover. The same love you had inside you was what you emitted to people. I remember when I was a lot younger, you composed songs for me that I still sing up to this present date. You instilled those memories in me and those songs will forever be melodies of joy.
You never know what you have until it's gone, well, I am happy to say that I knew what I had before it was gone and that is an amazing cousin with a heart of gold. Someone I was fortunate enough to know and love.
I think of you and I smile because I know for a fact that you are in a better place. God always takes the best before the rest. It's sad that we lost you but at least heaven gained a new angel. God knew you were too good for this world, one of his most prized possessions. I just wish he gave us more time.
I know you probably thought that we were too far apart for you to impact my life but you were wrong. Because of you, I am motivated to do so much more with my life. I took my interest in music from you and now it is one of the things that make me happy.
You will forever be cherished and loved. I hope you're with Grandma, Grandpa and Aunty Ronke now and I hope they forgive us for letting you go. I love you, goodbye❤
In loving memory of Toluwalope Sobande 🕊
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Omo mi
This child who would light up when she sees a baby or a pet. Everything else will cease to matter for that moment and it's funny how the human or animal would seem to take to her instantly.
This was not the plan but the memories are comforting. Thank you Tolu for making me see the color black differently.
Heaven gained an angel.
Love you dearly my sweet child ❤️
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My condolences to Tolu's family. Tolu was there to help me out with some of my personal issues and kept me calm and gave me a new perspective throughout our time together. She and I also shared the same love for some characters that not many people knew about, and she will be missed dearly.
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I am so sorry to hear about the loss of Tolu. While I only worked briefly with Tolu in French at Mills, I remember what a kind, bright, and generous soul she was. My deepest condolences to everyone.
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I am so sorry to hear this heartbreaking news. Tolu was greatly admired by our family. Blessings be upon your entire family, and special prayers for Olu.
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Tolu was there for me in a impossibly difficult time in my life and I will forever be grateful having known this kind soul. I send my deepest condolences to all the people’s who’s lives she blessed.
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