In case you don't know me, I joined YLF 9.5 years ago, and was very active for a few years. I attended two YLF meetups and was lucky to have a meal or two with Angie when I was traveling to Seattle (where she lived then). Bear with me: I want to tell you a quick story about Angie and fashion.

On this day (April 5) 2018, I was in Seattle to conduct focus groups. I had some free time in the morning and arranged to meet Angie for breakfast. (I can't remember exactly what she wore - there are pictures somewhere - but you can imagine it was highly coordinated and ultra fabulous. I do remember the barista commenting.) Anyway, about an hour before our breakfast I was on the phone in my hotel room with a surgeon from Maine confirming that the biopsy was positive for breast cancer. (I should note here that the cancer was successfully removed via lumpectomy and radiation, and all is good.)

I walked into breakfast with Angie in my attempt at a stylish outfit in a bit of a daze. We chatted about this and that, and then I said, "Angie, I just have to tell you. This morning I found out that I have breast cancer." She was so sweet, indulged my situation with a few careful questions, and then suggested some retail therapy. Neither of us had a lot of time, but - this being Seattle - Nordstrom was across the street. We looked around for a bit and then, ultimately, I bought a beautiful cream Frame blazer with thin irregular navy stripes. It was expensive (for me), indulgent, and joy-making. Given my shape and the style at that time, I sized down for a more fitted look than was intended.

I wore and loved that jacket for a few years until it became just too small, and then I brought it to my favorite consignment shop in Portsmouth NH. Life went on.

A few days ago, I stopped at a new consignment shop in Portland, where I now live, and what was hanging in the window? The exact same Frame jacket, new with tags, and in my actual current size. It was impossible to believe it, even as I took it down from the hanger and put it on. And to put my shock and sheer joy in some kind of context, today is the five-year anniversary of my diagnosis, a major health milestone. It was like a gift from the gods.

Angie, thank you with all my heart for being an inspiration to so many and a great friend to me.

I'm attaching two pictures. The first is me the day before I met Angie in Seattle. The pre-cancer Vivian, I guess. The second is a little painting of the jacket.

I hope you enjoyed this. Thanks for hanging in to read this far!

xxxx Vivian