this post might seem odd, and i don’t really know how to explain it, except by saying that sometimes you can be touched by someone you don’t know in a beautiful way.

{photo is from tori_hendrix}

you may recall this post, where i mentioned that the lovely tori hendrix was battling a rare form of cancer, and on april 26th, she truly found the most beautiful light there could be as she joined the lord in heaven.  and i’m so sad about this in such a selfish, earthly way, and in a way that aches deep in my heart for her beloved husband austin and darling children lucca and golden.  i can’t describe the connection i felt to this woman whom i’ve never met and the way she lived her life, and i’ve mentioned it before, but she deeply influenced my own life in ways that i’m not able to put into words right now.  the light she brought to this earth was unbelievably contagious, and i know i’m not alone in these feelings as everyone on her path, and people she didn’t know who were touched by her golden rays, mourn her death.

{both photos above are from tori_hendrix}

i want to pay a tribute to tori, and also to remember the beauty of the life she lived and shared.  what an amazing legacy she’s left on family, friends, the instagram community, people who don’t even know her.  she truly made this world a better place.

{photos above are from tori_hendrix}

a quote from tori, a little over a year ago:

“i’ve always been a person who has lived with intention.  creating the life i wanted.  a marriage of love, a home full of rescue animals, a life of wandering and exploration, a job full of creativity, and children that are adventurers.  i would pinch myself often.  as so many of you have gathered, i’m dealing with something very personal — climbing my biggest mountain yet, and it’s unsettling and challenging and frustrating.  but i’m positive and searching for beauty.  and i plan to be pinching myself again in the future, on the other side of this.”  

she’s finally on the other side.

{the last time she was able to breastfeed baby golden, and probably the most beautiful photo i’ve ever seen.  all photos above are from tori_hendrix}

below are some photos of her funeral and quotes by some of her family and friends:

{photo by ohjoy}

“…she had a style and eye like no one else.  but more importantly, she had a sense of self and passion that radiated throughout everything she touched and every person who knew her.  today, dressed in white in the san diego sunshine, we all celebrated her life with a beautiful day that was so perfectly very tori hendrix.”  – ohjoy

“yesterday was magic and you were everywhere with us.  today is the first day of going on without you.  but the truth is, you’ll be in every single golden sunset, and we will carry you in our hearts with us forever and ever.  we will miss you every day sunshine girl.”  – laceandlikes

{photo by theresaholden}

“to say yesterday was magical would be an understatement.  to see her community come together for her was incredible + i am lucky to have been there to witness it.  our golden girl shined bright.”  – theresaholden

{photo by modernsequins}

“yesterday was full of beauty and magic.  just like you.  we watched the sunset at your favorite park and the light was insanely gorgeous.”  – modernsequins

“we celebrated your life, all in white [because black was just never ok].  many knew you as a magic maker, a sparkle gypsy, a style powerhouse.  i had the joy, and oh was it a joy, to know you in motherhood.  we had so many plans, so much left to do.  up until the end you never stopped planning, we were supposed to watch the girls become sugar plum fairies next year, i just can’t let that go.  i could always count on the holidays to bring my wandering friend back home.  i don’t find comfort in much, i don’t want to see you in the sun because i want to sit with you in the sun.  i’ll keep chasing the light though, with our daughters and sons.  i’ll hold rachelcast‘s hand when it should be you.  i’ll keep looking for the magic.”  – cassidyjuneblog

“yesterday we celebrated you tori.  it captured you perfectly with sequins, rosè, and everyone wearing white.  you inspired so many, thank you for being such a magical person.”  – viancadlp

“there were moments of pure joy yesterday.  i love these girls.  chasing ‘all the light, all the grace.'”  – loveandsplendor

“flew to san diego today to celebrate the beautiful and inspiring life of tori_hendrix.  i left this gorgeous garden celebration this evening wanting to be a better mother, a better sister, a better stylist, a better wife, a better friend and a better person because of tori’s example.  she had the magic.”  – jelliottblake

“today we’re gonna wear white and celebrate your beautiful life.”  – colemoser 

“until i see you again my sweet friend, you will be in my heart always, on every adventure, in every ray of sunshine, in the wind, every michelada and glass of rosè, every trip to palm springs or mexico or NYC or austin or basically everywhere.  every vegetarian thanksgiving, every plate of cheese and olives and bread, all the bread, every walk to grant’s, every room of my house full of pieces of you, every time i hold my child and embrace all the joy he brought you in such a dark time.  basically everything.  we have truly lived life together and although your void is too much to bear right now, i know our adventures won’t end, they will just be different for now.  in the meantime, i will uphold your legacy and love your babies like they are mine.”  – rachelcast

{photos are from tori_hendrix}

“the night we met.  you came with a flurry of blond hair, sun kissed skin and infectious laughter.  we were drinking beers on couches on our front lawn & i didn’t think i had a chance.  there’s this indescribable feeling when you start to fall for someone & then see hints they have feelings too.  your heart swells.  anything is possible.  life is vibrant.  the sun shines so bright.  i can’t wait to meet you all over again.”  – austinhendrix

{photo by larissaisawanderer}

“our angel; she finally found peace.  december 14, 1978 – april 26, 2016.”  – larissaisawanderer

we love you, tori – even those of us who didn’t know you personally.  oh, what a beautiful soul.  you will be missed.